Finally--after numerous skunkings--something interesting to report!

Hit Pt. Defiance, Dalco, & Quartermaster Harbor today. Caught two nice blackmouth at Pt. Defiance right at the tide change. One at 16.8 lbs (thx for the scale Steve) and one released around 9-10 lbs. Both caught mooching herring. Also tried a hootchie/flasher combo w/ no luck. Had 2-3 others on & off on the mooching rig. Several people hooked up around the same time, at least one person trolling, but the bite died after the tide change.

Thanks for the report!

Those tide change bites can be fast and furious on big tide swings.

Fished for 2 hours this a.m. outsid ethe mouth of gig Harbor on the swing...boated a 24 #er.....nice quick morning. Used cut plug on a downrigger and a fish flash.

A 24#'er! WOW. Got pix?

What constitutes "large" for a blackmouth? I was wondering this after yesterday's fish, which seemed fairly large compared to the other BMs I've caught or seen caught. Someone posted back in Feb that the record BM was in the high 20s. By any standard a 24# fish would be huge. How often do you see 20-25 lb BMs come up?

The 24lber was a mature fish. They're back!! It's that time of year already. We see these early Hog's most years when the Pinks are heading home. Same thing happen 2 years ago for sure. It will get better and better as we get closer to July.

Most inner Puget Sound b'mouth run 5 - 8 lbs. I would consider a huge b'mouth 10 lbs. and up. I am guessing a 24 lb. fish is a migratory fish, not a b'mouth.

I know Downriggin may agree to differ.

Nope... I won't differ....

It is very possible that was a BM.. and then again it could a late Springer or a Fall fish.

We'll see a few early fish every year this time. The majority of the run hit the PD area third to last week of July...

I'll try to get the pics developed this week and get a pic posted of the 24. The fish was an absolutely beautiful fish...perfectly proportioned. Probably heading to the Nisqually.

JNT,
Good job on the early hog. You being or living in Steilacoom, do you ever fish the mouth of Chambers creek??? I grew up in lakewood and fished Chambers growing up, and still make a trip or two in late july!!! But your probably right that fish might be headed towards the Nasty!!!
Winterun

If it is a returner, I would say Minter. Just little too big for a Chambers and real early for a Nasty fish.

I'm betting Blackmouth

Wouldn't you be able to tell if it was a b'mouth or a migrating fish if the fish had developed eggs or sperm sacks?

I don't know about it being small for chambers as my partner and I have caught equal size fish at the mouth of Chambers. Minter could have been where it was heading....I never thought of that. I assumed it was an early Nisqually fish.

By the way it was a mature (fully formed milt sack) male.

Wow an early fish! I find it amazing that you have caught Chambers fish that big. I am not doubting you, but The "Cookie Cutters" are generally not much bigger than 12-15#- very small for Kings!

It will be interesting to hear reports in the coming days... I think you all are in for a great summer!

Here's a quick check for blackmouth-- if the fish loses quantities of scales, it's a blackmouth. If it doesn't, it's an adult.

Largest blackmouth I heard about was 33 pounds caught in Port Angeles harbor about 30 years ago in January or February. It probably was an early springer, but still---

KJ

There was a 42lb Blackmouth caught in the San Juans a few years back.

HBP, what are you smoking?

Bri,
Do you know what a Blackmouth is? Immature King doesn't always mean 6-8lbs.

Bri,
Here is a link to the 42lb blackmouth. look in the fishing section.

www.westbeachresort.com