I just would like some input from the public on why you fish Sekiu instead of Neah Bay, or Neah Bay instead of Sekiu? They're close to one another as a seagull flies, but the regs, ports, and especially the fisheries are quite different in terms of quallity, quantity, and seasons. That last leg of Hwy 112 is a pain as well. Is it like a traditional thing or what?
Your response is appreciated.

Neah Bay hands down

There are many reasons but heres some.

1. Better fishing.
2. Its always an adventure.
3. Less people.
4. I like the rush of being out in the ocean in my boat.
5. more whales to see.
6. Incredible scenery.
7. bottom fishing after a limit of salmon.

I'd like to spend more time at Neah Bay but,

1) It is far enough to Sekiu
2) My boat is small (15' Arima)
3) I don't want to buy a reservation stamp
4) I don't know where/how to fish at Neah Bay

I keep telling myself I'm going to go to Neah Bay but seems like I always end up stopping in Sekiu. Bad habit I guess.

Like Elkrun said, Neah Bay.

I feel that fishing Neah Bay one needs more boat than the flats of Sekiu.

After dragging a larger boat to Sekiu , many have had enough and are ready to launch as opposed to dragging her all the way into the happy fishing grounds.

It is hard to find a State store in Neah Bay if you know what I mean.

Many fish with their families and just don't want to get to know the Makah.

The weather can turn for the worse at Neah Bay in a heartbeat, which goes back to that bigger boat deal.

When it comes right down to it, it is like the difference between elk hunting and deer hunting.

there's no question, neah bay wins.

-better fishing. more kings, halibut and bottomfish.... and the coho fishing is better and lasts over a longer time frame.... plus, closer access to canadian halibut.

-better facilities... forgive me, but power and water on the docks is important, plus docks that don't move when walking on them is nice. imo, camping @ the cape is better than any of the camping/rv spots at sekiu (trees are nice).

-better tackle shops- sorry, but washburns has a better tackle selection than anywhere in sekiu, and then add the two other tackle shops and you're covered if you need anything.

-more serious fishermen.

-close access to ocean beaches if your family doesn't like to fish or for pukers.

as for that extra 20 mile drive, it's not that bad, but if you can't stomach it, you probably can't stomach fishing in the ocean.

i always ask this same question in late august/early september when sekiu is plugged with crowds, and neah bay is empty (and last summer, still open for kings). all i can do is shrug, smile, and head out fishing (maybe the pink fishing was better in area 5 later <G>)

chris

LaPush hands down. Dont have to run as far as you do when fishing out of Neah Bay. Less traffic on the water and tons more fish than Neah Bay and Sekiu. Who wants to fish where you can only keep one bottom fish.

Mr. Graham,
I think that you should know that bottomfish regs are the same in area 3 La Push, and area 4 Neah Bay, same limits; and Sekiu can even keep 3 rockfish, all with out a bar crossing. As far a better fishing, I saw the Lu Push Charters up in area 4 quite a bit. That tells me that they're running all that way to the best Chinook fishing in July and August, right amoungst the Neah bay fleet.
Hey, what's wrong with a Makah? An angry Clallam yokul with a half gallon of whiskey in him isn't pleasent either. (Right Lingcod Dave?)
Topwater hit it on the nose. During the coho run with Sekiu now a "clipped fish retention only" fishery, why not make the extra 20 miles? Less crowds, more and bigger fish and way, way more feed, and they had chinook fishing till the end in mid- September. Best marina, and if you don't want to be on the Rez, there's snow creek outside of town.
Great King fishing last year from opener in June, on through Sept. Hmm.

My vote goes to Neah as well. Way less people and lots more fish. You should have a bigger boat for Neah though. As far as finding the fish...the tackle shops will give you coordinates. As far as I'm concerning the more people the better when you are off shore!

have done the neah bay thing for years, but switched to LaPush this last summer...love it great bottom fishing,super salmon and great places to stay with the family. lots of NICE camp grounds.B&B's etc. and forks is just 15 miles away for what ever u need. boat ramp/morage is old.

sekiu don't get sick there do at neah bay

What do you mean you just don't want to get to know the Makah? Being a Makah myself, I take great offense to this statement. A lot of Makah are very generous and would do anything to help a visitor who comes to our beautiful corner of the world.

There are gorgeous beaches, hiking for the family, a museum renowned by the Smithsonian with a fine collection of Native American artifiacts; and an annual celebration of the Makah heritage with traditional dances, activities for young and old, a street fair not to mention a firework show and parade.

You do not necessarily have to "get to know" the Makah to have a great fishing experience (weather permitting) and god forbid expose your children to a little culture.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by papaslap:
[QB]
Many fish with their families and just don't want to get to know the Makah.

Speaking of the Makah Museum. I used a couple of midafternoon hours to tour the museum and was glad I did. Very interesting a well worth the small entrance fee. It is a shame to go all the way up there and not visit. I would put it on my list of "must do"s while in Neah Bay.

Look at the old pictures...everyone of them shows the Makahs barefoot...even in winter. Can you imagine spending a winter in Neah Bay hunting and fishing without shoes?

Havnfun.......shhhhhhh.

Steve

Pillar Point - lousy boat launch, no facilities, no people. Dang near filled a card with kings doing that last year - now please forget you ever heard that

Welcome bubs, don't be shy.

Have not fished Neah Bay or Sekiu but have fished La Push many times. The launch and the docks aren't in great shape but who cares. The fishing is excellent.

Don't attack me on the Makah statement. It wasn't a personal feeling just a statement.

no doubt la push has great fishing, and i certainly would pick la push over sekiu, even with the poor facilities at la push. but there are some serious drawbacks to la push. there were plenty of days last year where we fished and the coast guard had the bar closed at la push. of course, if i were a la push loyalist, i wouldn't want more people showing up, because the salmon quota will go real fast (and the framework isn't going to allow more fish).

of course, most neah bay fishermen's main beef with la push has to do with the way they want the halibut seasons managed (which is bad for the local economy).

chris

Neah Bay hands down and thank you Bubs. My family and I have been going to Neah Bay for our family vacation for many years. I have yet to ever have an incident. It is far my favorite place on the face of the earth. If there is a prettier place I would have a hard time believing it. There is more fish there of every kind. I halibut fish there Canadian and US. Last year the kings were so thick at Umatilla Reef that we didn't fish for much else. If having to small of a boat is a problem, buy a bigger boat. It worked for me. The Makahs are very nice and helpful, I talk to many of them every year. They will let you know where the hogs are being caught by some of their fishermen. Last year the huge kings were being caught at Bluedot-50&60 pounders-but that is a long run. Joey and Wendy Lawrence are dong a great job of running the new big Salmon. Everything everyone said above is true. But if you get seasick, you might not like it. As far as the state stores not being there, I go to fish not to drink.