I hope that this doesn't violate the zipperlip protocol, but I do believe even if everyone looking at this board showed up at the same time that there would still be enough dock space and enough fish Anyway, got my 10 lbs this evening in maybe 15 minutes once they showed up, and they are a nice mix of greens and blues with a few horse herring thrown in. Man, these early fish sure make beautiful looking bait

Do be careful with the 10lbs - as I was leaving who should show up but the boy in brown with the badge! I had ten exactly - I weigh them - but a few of the boys got carried away and it looked like they were getting some very expensive herring confiscated

How did you fish for them goin that way this weekend any help would be great and after I get them whats the best way to cure them

Thanks Spawnout for sharing w/us die hard moochers a valued tip on saving some $$$ and getting the family out for some fun. I hope the ole finger docks at Westport can survive the onslaught (weight wise) of a bunch of us ole spawnouts jigging for herring. Better alert the Coast Guard for a potential at sea rescue.

On a serious note folks....make sure the kids are wearing life jackets.

Take care and have fun!

I use a light weight spinning reel and trout pole w/8-10lb test line + a herring jig and about an inch or two of pencil lead (Ole Spawnout likes using his 50# handline). Anything will do tho as long as your using the convential herring jig. I use various types of jigs but if your heading down to Westport I'd stop in at England Marine and p/u a six hook Rainbow Skin Sabiki (I like to support the local folks). Ole Zaks Tackle Mfg. has some six hooks w/beads that work great here in South Sound (when you can find herring) and will work well at the boat basin.

Please checkout the WDFW Regs, remember herring are considered forage fish, read the rules!!! no more than nine single hooks, not to exceed 3/8" gap between point and shank and no more than 10lbs people! Make sure the ole Zebco de-liar is rust free when you weigh the bucket.

To process herring, the commercial boyz like to starve 'em in pens prior to processing. The purpose for this is two fold but for your purpose simply put them in a large cooler w/ice and saltwater and get 'em home quick. Once there, I place then on a no stick cooky sheet and freeze then. Once frozen, use your ole vacuum packer and pack them by the dozen. I like to diplomatically approach my meat man at the market for some styrofoam trays to buy to place then in then vacuum pak 'em.

Everything I ever learned about this stuff I learned from Spawnout.......a true gentleman (albiet a cracker)!

5000D

When you are jigging for them are you jigging up and down with the rod or is it a slow movement? Do you use your lowrane to determine the depth or do you do it close to the surface.

This is a real simple fishery - just fish off the public dock in the NW corner of the boat basin, a boat isn't really necessary. Lower your jig to the bottom - kind of slow as they will hit on the way down, if they don't then take up a crank on the rod and jig slowly about a foot at a time. Now here's the important part - when you get one on don't be in a hurry to reel it in, just keep a tight line and slowly work him to the surface. All his buddies will come to investigate and grab the wiggling hooks. If you do it right it's 6 on at a time

Got my limit in 1/2 hour tonight, it's smokin! Just now working on vacpacking my 25th dozen, only 75 more dozen to go and I'll be ready for Springer Season

And hey, 5000D, glad you finally signed up. Gentlemen, D is a genuine micromoocher, but for all that he is the only man I have personally met who has caught two 50 lb kings in a day! Can't catch his A$$ with both hands when fishing for anything else, however, but we're working on that

baitboy,just lift your jig up and down about 2 to 4 feet or so,these fish are pretty much suicidal.take a kid with ya,my 6 year old was in heaven catching these fish.we got our limits in about a hour and he did most of the fishing.good luck scott

Best time to fish? incoming, outgoing or slack tide? How long till they disappear?

I took my wife and two daughters to Westport Sunday afternoon. Actually fished on the slip next to Spawnout. Man was Spawnout killing them! Six at a time! My daughters 7 & 10 had a great time. We only fished for a short time(1 hour or so) and brought 30 home. We were there for the outgoing tide and it appeared to slow down as the tide went out. Spawnout caught his limit and left before the fishing slowed. It seemed to be picking up again when we left. I guess I would recommend incoming mid to high tide but I wouldn't worry much about it... the herring will be there. The only input I would have is to make sure to bring some herring jigs just in case. The local stores were sold out and Eglund Marine was closed on Sunday. I bought a couple setups from some kids on the pier. Spawnout said the herring will probably be around through March. Bring a kid, it's a blast. Thanks Spawnout.

Does anybody know if the herring are still coming into Westport?

"Without rules, we all might as well be up in a tree flinging our crap at each other".

Maguana,
As of the first of March they had spawn and gone. Lets hope they come back!!!

NEN