How has everyone been doing lately? Thanks. Marc

Been doin' OK, how about you?

Lots of fish out there-don't understand the one fish limit on a bountiful fishery that was developed for sport fishermen and funded by sport fishermen. Gazzillions of planted fish that could easily sustain a 4-5 fish limit, anybody know what the deal is on this?

I haven't been blackmouth fishing lately and I don't know the status of the current fishery firsthand. But, I do know that "sustaining" a saltwater fishery with a 4 or 5 fish limit would be tough and a bad management call. I can see where an increased limit might work in terminal areas on the river, when hatchery escapement has been met. But for blackmouth, where a "legal" fish can be caught next month or even next year? Yes, we have paid for these fish. But what I feel we have truly purchased is the opportunity to angle for these immature chinook. Let's make our investment last.

Fished Possession a couple of times and we got our fish each time however lots of shakers to weed through before getting a good fish.

Hohwaiian, it is my understanding that these fish never return to the hatcheries. I'll concede that 4-5 might be excessive from a political point of view but having fished them on a regular basis I can only attest that fish of legal, catchable size are out there in huge quantities, they are not targeted by commercials, not endangered and the program that puts them there is paid for by sportsmen. IMO the one fish limit could and should be reviewed.

Chaps, there is a problem with bycatch[throw back dead] when commercial netting in the sound for chums and pinks.

I could care less about the limit. What really disturbs me is the loss of the December/January season the last two years. This is prime time for central sound blackmouth. I do not understand the rationale for the shortened season. Seeing as we got a reduction in the limit from two to one at the same time, the drastic loss of total fishing time (my primary goal in life is to maximize this, wife and kids willing!) really hurts this die hard winter fisherman.

For argument's sake I want to add that an increase in the limit (especially as high as 400 to 500 percent) will be accompanied by a rush of angler participation; i.e. hordes of meat fishers will get out to try and fill their freezers. Fishing may be excellent now. But, I doubt this fishery will be sustained, after one week of intense pressure on this stock of blackies by the masses.

Hey, for that many fish. I'll gladly give up my November, fun month, jerking on dogs, to bonk a blackie or two, or three, or four, or even five. I'll even jump on one of those party boats running out of Edmonds if needed, to catch this prized fish, which I consider to be right up there with springers and sockeyes, eating-wise.

I've been doing real well on possesion so far. Still lots of bait around and I expect it to remain around thru the end of the month when it closes. My biggest has been a 12lber and I'm still chasing after those bigger ones.

OK, 2 fish limit, reopen Dec & Jan. How do we get that done? I'm still finding the biggest fish are deep, 200+. Fished this weekend and got nothin' but shakers until I went way down to 240' and bang! nice 11+pounder.

As of this year, all hatchery blackies will be marked. The sound will go to wild release and fishing through out the winter will be permitted. Hopefully starting next year. It's about time.

Is that the general rule of thumb with blackmouth - go deep? What exactly is the best type of bait or lure for these guys? And where are the best places to go right now? I've never been out for blackmouth before, and I hear its a blast!

Any info much appreciated!
Thanks! Looks like good weather for this weekend too!

8 foot, its not so much deep as it is getting your setup on the bottom where there are bait clouds near the bottom. Generally this time of year they are feeding on candlefish so anything that closely resembles a candlefish will take blackmouth. I have found that anything that has a green on it works well. Look for bottom structure that holds candlefish and you will do well.

The blackmouth fishing is going very well. Oct and Nov are great times for blackmouth. Jeff Head and Mid Channel Bank are very good at the moment. The fish are right on the botom, feeding on candlefish and shrimp. We took two 11lbs and a 6lb at Mid Channel on Friday and saw several caught at Jeff Head. The seals are real thick at Mid Channel and Point No Point, so get the fish in as quick as you can. Coho Killers behind a flasher work real well.

Good Luck
Deepwater