I was hoping that some of you more savvy Hoodsport veterans could answer a few questions for me. First, what stage of the tide is best. Second, what sort of terminal rig does one suggest? And one last question, does a jig and float work in the salt as it does in the river? I know these questions may seem silly but it would sure cut down on the learning curve.

LET IT RAIN!!!!,

MJ

MJ,

When the fish are in, all stages of tide are best. Maybe the edge goes to incoming tide. Problem is, at high tide, there is very little room. Solution is, take a float tube.

The standard terminal rig is drift gear, with green or chartreuse corkie and tuft of yarn. Try it on a flyrod with any of a number of standard saltwater chum flies - chum candy, fergusson, or just plain green/chartreuse yarn tied on a salmon hook. I'd suggest at least an 8 weight rod. I use an 11 weight. You don't want to play the fish all day in the midst of combat conditions. Likewise, this is not the place for a noodle rod.

I don't see why a float and jig wouldn't work. The problem to consider is whether the float and jig can co-exist with the vast majority of the people using drift gear. Your line will get casted over. This is usually no problem with drift gear and even drift gear and fly lines - everything is sinking. It seems like it would be a prolem with your main line running to a float. Again, the solution would be a float tube or something to get you out away from the crowd a bit.

Good luck!

I'm certainly no hoodsport savvy, but from what I've heard, the tide change isn't a big issue. I know that there are probably more fish on the hightide, but it there's fish around always i guess. As far as terminal rigs go, the float and jig will work, make sure it's cerise. Especially a silentapproach cerise marabou . Also a lime green corkie and yarn slowly retrieved catches fish. Good luck, I'll be there Saturday.

I agree with T Dodge on the float and jig. When I go to hoodsport, I try to fish from a boat so tangling with other people usually isn't that big of an issue. However if you are fishing from the bank that's a different story. Just try not to make anyone upset and your day will be much more enjoyable.

Low tide is better for bankies and high tide for boats.

If you want to use a float and jig I would suggest not putting in the middle of all of the drift gear. Float and jig would be best used away from everyone fishing from shore. If you are fishing from a boat float and jig would be a good technique to use. BTW, I have yet to see someone using a float and jig at the Zone.

Just fu.... snag the damn things!!!!!

I prefer to 'em.

I have done good this year with hearring under a bobber.The biggest factor I have found seems to be getting to the fish undidsturbed.The fishery I am working is a very quiet one and I do good untill the first boat shows up.

Other wise lining or flosiing them in shallow water is the ticket.A typical drift setup[weight,length of leader with green or pink corky yarn combo]cast out into a school works.

Is their a ramp close to hoodsport where they have loading docks. I heard the one at tawana state park takes theirs out during the winter months. I would like to take my big boat down their and fish in some comfort.

Good question! I don't know. I have seen several piers with docks but I think they are private.

call G&M hardware in Hoodsport, they can give you the name of the pier in town.

I see people docked there, I dont think it is private.

I might just run out their this weekend and take a look for myself. I will have the nieces for the weekend . I already told them I would take them to the soos creek to catch some boots. Maybe they will want to try and catch a dog to go with their boot.

Troller ,I might be wrong but I think Soos creek is closed now even for the Juveniles.

Divers, you are right, Soos is closed as of Oct. 27th.

Soos creek is open until nov 3rd. Boot on

Yep boot on. They extended it till the third so open till sunday. I try and get them out when they can catch something. keep them interested in the sport. Their pretty good fishergirls and have caught kings, sockeye, silvers, lotsa trout. Earlier this year they came back to camp after fishing off the shore by themselves. The trout were all cleaned I was scratching my head and asked if someone cleaned them for them. They answered they did and I ask who showed you how. Of course their answer was you Uncle. I dont remember showing them but they must have just watched and did it. Now I dont clean a thing just hand them the knife and tell to be careful. I gotta hang with them now in a couple of years when they start liking boys . I am sure Uncle wont be so cool to hang with anymore.

I should have known better than to look in the REGS MANUAL for accurate information.

I hear ya easy. You would think it was the bible by how many times I open it and reread the regs. Then you get to double check all of it with the online version. Dont forget the most current information is on the hotline they want you to call. If I ever get a ticket for something because I missed seeing something online or calling . I would certainly plead my case with the judge. You could spend more time reading the reqs. than actually fishing .

I should have checked the EMERGENCY RULES CHANGES first then looked in the paper REGULATION MANUAL. I might as well throw the paper regs away.

Good luck to the girls troller. Spend the time while you can. The bright side is they might teach you something out there