Looking to catch anything in the DesMoines Wa area for Fun

triehl27

Looking to take my young daughter out this week to catch anything that'll bite. I really don't care what we catch just that she gets something I don't care if it's bullheads we'll be catching and releasing anyways. Any recommendations as to were we might get the best chance? Also what gear would work as it's been a while since I actually put a line in the water with the INTENTION of actually catching something.

Squarehead · Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 7:05 pm Post subject:

Zip south a hair to Brown's Point & either troll flasher & hoochie/spoon/fly or mooch herring, might boat a silver or 2.

rogerbum · Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 8:25 pm Post subject:

Troll for awhile at first light and one hour before to one hour after the tide changes. A cut plug herring on a 4 oz. banana weight is also a good bet if you don't have down riggers. If you're not hooking up on salmon, but you want to make sure she catches at least something, the herring can also be dropped down to the bottom to catch dogfish sharks. They're abundant and a pain in the a$$ if you're salmon fishing but sometimes a lot of fun to catch. If you're not familiar with them though be very careful while de-hooking or otherwise handling them. They have two sharp spikes - on behind the dorsal fin and one near the tail. Both have a little bit of a toxin in them that won't kill you but will leave you sore for awhile. They swing their tail all around trying to hit you with that rear spine - I often jsut cut the leader and let them go.

The other thing that's easy to catch a lot of are flounder/sole. Find almost any sandy bottom in 30-100' of water and jig a spoon or dart up and down near the bottom. I've never had a day where I couldn't catch at least a few flounder.

chewyjackson · Joined: 29 Apr 2006 Posts: 29

How old is she? I have a 5 and 3 year old. They have zero patience trolling for salmon. Bottom fishing is the way to go to keep them busy. Buy some weights and some frozen herring and have at it. The flounder are ok, but the dogfish is where its at for the kids.

If you head to the opening of quartermaster harbor (between Vashon and Maury Is.), you can find them there in 20-65 ft of water. If you travel up into the harbor there is a little park called Dockton. There are dogfish in that water as well.

If she gets bored, the park is right there with great docks and facilities.

Falco · Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 4:06 pm Post subject:

Argh! Don't turn the child off to fishin. Spoil her. Make her want the big fish. She could end up having her own show on ESPN and setting you up for life. Get her a tuna off Pt. Robinson (Vashon Isl):

From Pollack's Corner, Aug 2005:
"Subject: Tuna at Pt. Robinson. Date: Fri Aug 20 11:00. Author: Robert W. Jones
Caught a 200 lb albacore in 50 of water near Pt. Robinson this morning. I was blown away I had know idea there were big Tuna in these waters. After showing the fish and wildlife guy at the beach the fish I learned that Tuna of this size in Puget sound are quite common. They just are very rarely fished for. I got the Albacore on a Blue 14" feather the same one I used in Mexico for tuna. I trolled at 8 knots in a zig zag pattern. Look for my fish in fishing and hunting news next month. Every one should go albacore fishing in the sound it is a great deal of fun and they are easy to catch!!!!!!"

lloyds · Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 5:52 pm Post subject:

Falco: I want to hear more about the albacore fishing in puget sound. Is this on the level?

Falco · Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 8:00 pm Post subject:

The post is real (http://auburnsportsmarineinc.com/sys-tmpl/pollackspointers/message.nhtml?profile=pollackspointers&UID=10009 (Scroll down to the bottom of the page.)

Tom Pollack would not put anything on this web page that wasn't straight up. But since I wasn't there I can't be certain and as you know, all fishermen are liars - except of course me and you... but I wonder about you.

The WDFW says the biggest tuna ever caught in WA was a mere 52 lbs. http://wdfw.wa.gov/cgi-bin/database/fish/fishing_record.cgi#salt so I guess it's just another tall (or is it long and weighty) tale...

But we can DREAM -- especially as we await the so very late arrival of Brother salmon.

oldgrowth · Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 8:08 pm Post subject:

Squarehead · Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 8:28 pm Post subject:

Way to whip out the obsure Judge Boldt reference =)