I was wondering if a 16 foot center console Tide Runner (Point Defiance Special) would be adequate for fishing Neah Bay or Sekiu. Thank you for the help.

Depends on the weather! There is plenty of opportunity for small boats out there to fish, but the big variable is the weather forecast. With our traditional summer onshore flow from the pacific, the afternoon westerly winds can get nasty! Try to fish in the AM and late evening to avoid the westerlies.

I was out there 7/1 - 7/3 in my 18' Alumaweld Super Vee, and did not have any problems. We fished out near tatoosh island and even ran out into the open ocean looking for silvers. We saw a bunch of smaller boats out fishing near mushroom rock and wadah island.

Here is where you can get the latest WA state marine forecast
WA Marine Forecast

Good luck!
SA

I was just out there in a 16' rental with a 15 horse kicker rented from Big Salmon. We are rather nuts, but made it all the way out and fished around Tatoosh.

Over 2 days we put at least one of everything in the boat. 20# Ling Cod,Coho, green ling, 6# true cod, yellow eye (released), quillback and a couple of 15# Chinook!

It is obvious that you could get in a world of trouble very quick out there. Be prepared.

My two brothers and I fish out of Sekiu in a 15' Smokercraft,16' Smokercraft and a 17' SuperVee. Its pretty rare that we can't get out to fish at least part of the day.

Gutz...where is Big Salmon and how much was the rental?

The Big Salmon is the main tackle store/charter office in Neah Bay. It's right there on the main drag, you can't miss it. The phone # is available online. They have 2 kicker boats. One has a 15 hp and rents for $100 a day, the other has a 25 and is $175 per day.

I'll be there in my 14' Smokercraft, July 16 - 19.

The inside waters around Waddah island are actually more calm than Sekiu. The afternoon wind doesn't seem to blow as hard at the entrance of the Strait as it does farther east. (Sekiu to Pt. Angeles) Of course there are always exceptions, so as everyone else says, "Be careful out there."

Hey steeladdict I think I saw you out there I was in a new 18 northriver with no paint I stayed at snow creek there was 2 of us in my boat. The fishing sure was good

The 16' kicker only had one rod holder and it is behind the driver. My camp chair fit nicely in the boat and with the long handle on the shimano 10 1/2 mooching rod I was able to wedge it between the arms. I was pulling an 8 ounce lead at times 180 pulls. I would have been in trouble without the chair for a rod holder. There is an oar lock hole that you could probably fit some kind of rod holder into.

You can also get the boat 1/2 day for $50 and they are paying the gas!

Check the NOAH forcasts before you go, and one thing I usually do it fish to the west of Neah Bay and west of Sekiu. If the bad winds kick up, you run with it, not against it.

Take it slow, keep an eye on the weather and fog, and bring your GPS, compass, and VHF handheld.

The rollers and the wind waves are a bit intimidating your first time out there, even on a somewhat calm day, but always keep an eye on the weather.