I've read about spots off the west side of Whidbey, Secret Harbor, and some spots on the outside of San Juan Island but does anyone know they are caught in other spots in the San Juans? Also, do you expect to find most of your fish on sandy flats or are they going to be on gravel flats and near pinacles too? Also, what is about the "breaking point" (size wise) where a net just won't cut it? Next best option a gaff?

I did happen to catch one about a month ago while fishing for blackmouth on the SW side of Lummit but it was only a few pounds. What surprised me is that it hit a big dart about 15 feet off the bottom... I guess I just wasn't expecting them to come off the bottom that much.

If you'd rather not give away any spots, I'd take vague information or PM's. Thanks for whatever help you can offer. Other than lucking into a mini 'but, I have no experience with them.

-Kaiser D.

Gravel/cobble bottoms, especially the edges where the bottom drops off a little more sharply than the surrounding area. With sandy bottoms at one extreme and rocky pinnacles at the other, you want the "middle ground" as far as hardness is concerned.The edges of "humps" are best, but nothing magic about any particular depths; it's all relative to what's nearby. If you're in the San Juans you're not far from Hein and Eastern Banks, Smith Island and some of the other spots that are traditionally worth investigating. As for landikng them, a net works fine for fish up about 35 pounds; from 35 to 55 or so you can gaff themn; bigger than that I'd recommend a harpoon with a big float attached to the harpoon line. And yes, they will often chase a bait or lure well up off the bottom, but you're still better off staying within a few feet of the gravel most of the time.

Heading out to Hein Monday. Any idea where the gravelly areas are?

Fish the west and south sides of Hein Bank. Look for little humps that could provide a hiding spot for a flattie to ambush bait from. The incoming tides up to high slack are probably best. Too bad that most of Hein Bank closed for blackmouth on March 31 as some nice fish were being taken out there. If you want a double header, you'll have to swing over to MA 6 on Monday for blackmouth. It closes for blackmouth on Tuesday. Halibut will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Pick up a copy of the San Juans Fish 'n Map for a reference item. Possible fishing locations are shown with GPS coordinates. The map cover the San Juans on one side and most of MA 6 on the other.

Here's a link to a Luhr Jensen posting on halibut fishing in the Straits that might help give you some ideas.

http://www.luhrjensen.com/techreports/574JuandeFucaHalibu2.pdf

You also might want to check out the Salmon University website for ideas.

Thank you both. I think I'll pick a couple of spots and spend some time with the charts then give it a go in a week or two. I'll let you know how it goes. Sounds like I'd be bound to pick up some CnR ling? Probably some doomed, catch-n-float, bugged eyed rock cod too?

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Check the regs for the area(s) you'll be fishing. In MA 6 and 7 cabezon, ling cod, and rockfish is closed until May 1 so C&R is in effect for them. If you think you have a rockfish on, take your time bringing it to the surface and it might not turn into a C&F. With halibut sized bait, you might miss the rockfish - dogfish are another matter.

Good luck.

Check out Pile Pt. If you go straight out from Pile Pt. there is a sharp drop to really deep water, then it rises back up to a pretty large platue with several pinnacles on it. Fish that platue. There are some good butts out there. Try not to fish too close to the Pt on that sharp drop unless its during ling season 'cuz it is loaded with them from shallow to deep. Tons of lings there and you'll just be releasing them the whole time, probably killing a few. But the platue, I'm not sure the name, someone out there probably can tell you, but it is pretty good. Easy to find with depth sounder or get a chart.

Thanks for the tip, Addicted.

BB, thanks for the PM.

If the wind is halfway decent on the 14th, I'll try to get out. Tales of glory or disappointment to follow.

One other thing... what is average size fish out there? What is the average range of commonly caught fish? Something like 12-40 pounds?

.

Sleddder,

You got a gps? If so, let me know. I will shoot you some coordinates.

JW

I've done ok on the west side of Waldron Island. I caught an honest 60 lbr there some years back.
My buds who fish a lot up there have done well on all the banks S. of SJI.
Do buy the chart that bushbear ref'd. About the one place I've never had luck in Hein though I know many have.

Got 2 GPS. PM coordinates. Much appreciated.

The average halibut in the Straits is probably around 20-25 lbs. Every year I hear about or see pictures of fish running from 80 to 150 lbs. You just have to drop your gear in the right place.

Another item you might want to consider getting for your vessel is the Canada DFO Current Atlas for Juan de Fuca Strait. The chart book is a one time purchase - about $30. Then you buy the Washburne Table each year for about $7. The atlas/table will show you the prevailing surface currents in the east end of the Straits from about Low Point to Admiralty Inlet and up through the San Juans past Vancouver and up to Campbell River. I use it more than a tide table. It helps to set up your drifts or decide not to go out because the current is too strong.

A Current Atlas and a depth chart are worth their weight in gold. If you are fishing salt without them, you are missing sooooo many opportunities and/or spinning your wheels. If it came down to it, I'd actually rather have a depth chart and GPS than a fish finder. But I don't plan on giving any of them up.

Again, thanks for all of the advice. This is all the motivation I need.

Good luck hunting for the butts. They are so good to eat. I bought one of those, I think they are called fishn maps, I think that is the brand name... at west Marine for area 9 and it is very accurate... and handy to have if you are new to an area.