Bigdaddy and i fished the bubble today with limited results. We went 0 for 3 not counting the two shakers i caught. We trolled around w/ Flasher/hoochie, Flasher/Coyote. Saw a couple of fish caught heard of about a dozen more. We got there at 5:30 and left at noon. Saw about 250 boats out there. We just gotta put our time in and we'll get a couple of fish.

put 21 lb in boat about 6:00am. Lost another 20 min later. Had two more hits but no luck. Saw quite a few caught. Much better than last year's opener.

What Bubble?

Made it out for the opener. Had some misgivings as my designated newbie called and said they wouldnt be able to make it. Started about 4:30am. Had first release on GSB @ 6:00am but no hookup. Got slimed so switched to a new "Super Cop Car" coyote setup and hit the first fish a 12lbr @6:30am. Right back down with the coyote and hit the second fish a 14lbr @ 7:00am. Back to the dock @ 7:30 home by 8:00

Nice fish chaser, i'm from there in marysville also, what kind of a boat do you fish out of? When will ya head out again? Have not fished the bubble yet , but will be out monday, am.

Fished the bubble on opening and got 1 shaker and 1 long line release (a nice hit with a few decent runs and then my boy had him come unbuttoned). A great day. headed back to the launch at Everett about 11 and was greeted to the site of a big older bayliner (about 24 ft mid 70's era) sitting on the ramp about half way between the water and the top of the ramp. The guy was sitting next to his trailer at the top of the ramp with his "what am I going to do now" look on his face. Don't know how or if he got it back on the trailer. Just a reminder to all to pay attention when you launch and retrieve! Wish I would have taken a camera for a pic or two.

How deep of water were you guys in and how deep were you fishing?

Wont get to go out till next friday. Fished down 90ft in 100 plus feet of water. Was'nt fishing with the fleet!

fished this morning for 3+ hrs., went 1 for 5, fishing by myself in the green sled, jigging, I can't decide if it was a good day or a bad one!
just out of curiousity, I didn't know there was any place inside the bubble that is away from the crowd

Fished Fri, Sat & Sun. Only had luck when I followed "Chaser's" suggestion... take a newbie fishing. I started fishing the bubble all last year (including opening day with a guide) without a fish on, but Saturday, I got my first AND second Tulalip Kings (see photo). Thanks chaser! Of course, my two friends didn't catch any, but they sure took home some fish!

Trolled Saturday with no luck but saw 5 or 10 caught. Tried jigging for the first time Saturday when I got lucky. Went back jigging with kids for a shorter time Sunday with no hits, and I only saw one fish boated. Still, this is much better than what I saw last year.

Of course, I've still got a few questions...

1. I was jigging around high tide when theoretically the fish are moving in. Would it be worth jigging at low tide? Where?

2. Since I'm still skunked on my downriggers... what leader lengths do you use? I was trying 44" for both spoons and squid with no luck. Any suggestions?

3. I was using a green and white squid. I've heard that all white is good. Is that what anyone uses?

Oh well, now that I've caught one, I'll be seeing you back out there.

Hey Chaser Nice Feesh, I'm taking my dad out Friday AM so see you out there.

TDickenson-

I think it is always worth jigging if you are marking fish, if you want to jig at low tide I would putter around a bit until I mark some holding fish then drop in on em.

Leader Lengths should be 36" to 42" with a heavier test to impart a steady, darting action with the hooch. I use a 40lb mono leader.

Whne I fish kings I almost always fish an all white (glo) hoochie. I like white glo with a single green stripe. I found some really nice Yama****a cuttlefish baits at Silver Horde that are lime green, white, with a blue aurora belly that I will try Friday, they are good looking baits.

I have examined some friend's catches who squid fish in Elliott bay alot. The natural squid colors in PS are almost all white with a few stripes, iridescence, and splatter on them.... depending on how pissed off they were when they were caught . Makes sense to mimic those colors as much as possible.

Nice looking fish guys it looks like the bubble is doing WAY better than last year.

My neighbor fished it and lost two, one to a seal and the other(a big fish, too) to another boat's prop. Some guy ran right over his line!

Also, crabbing in 8-2 has slowed down.

Got my 1st Bubble King on Saturday, about 7pm. It was like someone just turned the switch on, and you could see quite a few fish being landed. Boy, was that a good eat'n fish.

web page

If you look real close at low tide, you'll notice fish rolling on top of the shelf at the entrance to the bay. These fish are in 10ft of water so trolling is out of the question. You could try jigging for them but they are very skittish so motoring around trying to find the schools is also iffy that shallow. Maybe if you had an electric trolling motor and then you still have to deal with all the seaweed. Skyguys suggestion about motoring around is a good one and I've used that method succesfully. I usually start in about 35ft of water and watch the sounder as I move around along the edge of the shelf. You'll know when you find a school of kings cause the screen will go black at those shallow depths. Or you can keep an eye on the other jiggers to see where people are hitting fish. Most of the fish will be suspended out in deeper water though so you gotta go find them cause they'll move around with the currents. Nice fish guys, it's always good to hear success stories

Went to the parking lot at the bubble on friday, or shall I say I-5. I didn't get to fish long had a minor boat problem. Congradulations to those who scored, and got their poles pulled by the big ones. I did notice a great number of people fishing outside of the boundries set by the game dept. I understand that WDFG is going to be monitoring this. I guess a few were lucky this time. I did get a good limit of crab, so the day was not a complete loss. Remember PFD's and good luck to all!! Keep em tight

As I have said in previous posts. I am taking vacation the 1st 2 weeks in Aug for the Humpies. Turned my new bride (2 years now) onto salmon fishing and she is damn good at it. She is looking forward to coming back up and I would love for her to catch a King. We will only be there for one weekend, so I might have to take her out to the bubble for a try. Would like to jig, since I get too bored using DR'ers...... Can you please let me know what type/color of jigs you used and the general area you jigged? I do not want to anger the trollers by drifting in their "lanes", so any help to make my sweethearts first attempt at least an enjoyable one would be greatly appreciated!!

Regards!

MC

baddawg
That was a buddy of mine that dumped his boat on the ramp. He's brand new to the world of boating, he just bought the trailer with teflon skids, just polished the boat. No safety chain attached, and walla you have a boat high and dry. He said he was looking for a good name for the boat, skidder is what we settled on. Not to much damaged, besides the pride! Nothing broken that can't be fixed. He'd invited me out to do a little crabbing and bottom fishing, got the call about 1/2 hr later that he had a slight problem! Called a tow truck to have the boat lifted back on the trailer $$$$ later things were fine, Like I told him it could have been the $25,000 model instead of the $2500 he has in the boat. Boy he does like those teflon skids on that trailer, easy on and off!

My new King trailer has the teflon skids and if you undo the strap too far up the ramp, your boat will come right off. I had one close call, but luckily didn't lose the boat off the trailer and learned my lesson. I personally don't get any amusement or satisfaction at the expense of others....bad things can happen to anyone.

MasterCaster,

I caught my fish on a 2 1/2 oz blue Grim Reaper off the north side of the mouth of the bay.

P.S. Check your e-mail for a question I had sent you.

MasterCaster & Sky-Guy,

Looks like I might see you out there Friday morning if I can get my schedule line up. I hope to take another "newbie" out... maybe it'll bring me more luck. I'll be in my 19' "Striper" with Scottys and green canvas.

I'll probably try the glow white hoochie and a little shorter and heavier leader. What size coyote are people using? I've alway heard that the white, green & red stripe from John's in Everett was the ticket but I've never had any luck with it. MasterCaster, what leader lengths do you use?

See you out there!

well, we pulled a 43.8# ans a 34# last Sunday. I wanted to post the pics but the uploader isn't working....


Got them about 7am back to back. Fishing 70 to 80'. Spoons behind hotspots.. DR's 45 degrees..

I really don't think it matters what you use out there. What matters is the right place at the right time and a whole lotta luck!!

Trying again Fri, Sat, Sun.. Although the tide do suck this weekend

I'll be out there in my aluminum Gregor with red, white, and blue strips down the side. say hi on 68 and dont run me over!

Let me ask this question again Where and what is the "bubble"

The Bubble is a chinook fishery around the mouth of Tulalip Bay.

P-Martin

43 lbs.... Wow. Are you going to have that dude mounted? Would love to see a pic.

Well, I pounded it hard without any success today. Trolling from 5:30-10:00, flatlining a little around noon, and trolling and jigging from 4-6. Not near as much action as last weekend, although the mid-morning low tides probably don't help things much.

I'd love to hear about any success. What depth seems to be working? I've tried about 'em all. Heard someone with luck at 50' around 7 am.

I'll probably be out there again tomorrow. Give me a wave if you see me in Striper with green awning.

Well no luck for me today, even had my crab pots picked for me(stole the bait to boot). Had some buddies that scored today towards the north end. They were down 90'. Saw you go by me as you were headed out, wasnt sure it was you untill I saw those bright green shorts I was in the 18' outrage with the sopping wet cap hanging on the lightmast Did get a chance to meet sky guy briefly. I'll be out again sunday, will try to catch up with you then if your out.

tried it friday evening but only lasted for an hour, the wife said it was too rough so we headed in. didn't see anyone fighting any fish. might try it early sunday, I'm in a green willie tiller sled fighting a fish. I'm thinking of naming it "escape pod II" , after my old boat.

Better luck today. Yesterday I heard about somebody successful with plugs at 50'. I went one for two. (Thanks Pmartin!)

Of course, the one that got away was thanks to a couple of sightseeing trollers who ran right up next to me while I had a fish on. When I shouted to them to bring them up, they reeled in instead of downrigging up and I lost a great fish and the successful plug.

I'm sure that no one on Piscatorial Pursuits needs the reminder but use binoculars if you want to see a fish caught and steer clear if someone's playing one in your trolling path!

Here's the pic...

Glad to hear you got some action there T. There are some fish to be had out there. Decided to stay home the rest of the weekend and just wait to hit it again next. The tides are looking great.. Maybe get into some more then? Really did seem like the 50' line was the key?? They stayed up pretty shallow even with the light?

Nice to meet ya tdickenson

And here are last weekends fish. My 3y/o with my father-in-law holding them up. My daughter is 35lbs to give an idea on the fish size..

Hoooweeee! those are some nice fish! Your right, there are some big uns out there. Saw one on the fish buyers boat in tulalip bay a few years back that would've made those fish look mediocre. Never got a chance to find out the actual weight. I put it at 75lbs +.

Fished saturday, put 15# in the boat. No other action. Didn't see any others caught.

Kinda slow up in the ole' bubble today too. My partner fished it Saturday and one of the guys with him cought a 15 pounder. He said not many other fish boated.

Cigar

Talked to some tulalips and they have got a couple over #50 already... I would put some money that some lucky soul is going to boat one this year??? Man, I sure hope that it's me!!!!!

This Friday it's going to be just my daughter and myself trying to put a couple in the boat. The only problem there is that she has seen the 'Nemo' movie so now all fish are 'Nemo's' and she wants to let them go... I get around that by telling her that they need to take a nap for a little bit first

Tides are looking super for next weekend.. Can't wait

Nice Feesh PMartin...say your flags-a-flying Friday morning for a bit.

Trolled with a few takedowns but no fish Friday, saw one nice 25+ fish boated in about 250 feet of water, said they were down around 70.

Nice to Chat with Chaser and Tdickenson for a bit,. Hope to get out again next week but wonder if Sunday Might be better after the netting pressure has subsided for a few days after Thursday this week???

Hey Sky, Thanks. I was looking for your rig also, was going to say hi. Kinda busy in the boat Friday, had a guy who had never been out before and I was doing pretty much everything. Driving (tried to keep her straight), gear, DR's, speed, etc.... Could only handle that for a couple hours, got out there at 3:30 Still it was nice out there. Next time say hi..

Good luck

i hit the bubble on saturday morning with my 19 pink starcraft with white top. i saw the fish****** land a nice one whiole jigging and saw another go in a boat while trolling. all I got was a few flat fish. I ran down to edmonds laast week to try for silvers near the oil dock and only got undersize small mouth.
on the crab side I was able to get 4 on friday and 2 on saturday before going to the airshow with my dad. It was nice to be able to serve frech crab to my folks while they were here from vagas. I will be out friday after work and maybe saturday morning.

On the water saturday at 2:30 for the first trip in my new boat. At about 5:00 in the evening we noticed a seal that kept following us around, and sometime around 6:00 we had the first fish on. Fishbelly 2 was in the boat with me, he grabbed the rod and started fighting the fish. I killed the motor and went back to net the fish and this thing was running all over the top off the water, jumping, and the next thing you know this seal pops out of the water with the fish in its mouth. Fishbelly 2 kept the line tight and we could see the seal had the fishes head in its mouth so we started yelling and hollaring trying to scare the thing away, hoping that it would drop the fish. I grabbed a couple of 1 oz weights that were kicking around the boat and started hucking them at the seal but that thing would not drop the fish. So fishbelly 2 tells me to back up the boat. We were 10 feet away from the seal before it dropped the fish and took off. We netted it real quick and one side of the fishes haed was gone along with the lower jaw, and it just happened to be hooked in the only piece of mouth that it had left.

So we start trolling again after a bunch of high fives, and an hour later the other pole goes off. Fishbelly 2 grabs the rod and hands it off to me since it was a right hand reel. The pole was doubled over and right after a took it this thing started to run to Everett! I've never been spooled like that before, there was no stopping it. After about 150 yards it stopped and I was able to start working it in. Twenty minutes later Fishbelly 2 netted what turned out to be a nice 27.5 pound king. The biggest fish that i've ever caught 37 in length by 24 in girth.

Not bad for the first trip in a new boat, now if I can only get the fishfinder to start working for this next weekend.

I'll talk fishbelly 2 into posting the pics as soon as they are developed!

Oh ya, one more thing. 65 feet of water, green flasher, cop car coyote.

"Oh ya, one more thing. 65 feet of water, green flasher, cop car coyote"

Leader Length?????????????

Thnx Bud.

24 FEET OF LEADER. Great story Spark!!! Friday the wife and I are going down for 2 days to Illwaco to test drive a 20' trophy center console. Look what you did!!!!Already worked a deal w/ him on the phone so, unless something goes sideways....... YEEEHAW!! I'll post the pics soon of the 30 #er and the headless 15lber!!
Once again Sparky, great play by play, I got chills ........again!

24 FEET OF LEADER ????

Here's a link to the 30lber and the now known as the"tug-o-war" 15lber that I promised.Had to scan in an actual pic so not the best quality but you get the idea!! Trav, did they fillet out ok??? Will you be out Sat???


http://www.piscatorialpursuits.com/uploads/UP3057.jpg

here ya go: