Northwest Fishing Reports

if a lure like a kastmaster comes with a treble hook, do we have to replace it with a single hook with the barb pinched off to be able to use it? and does that apply to every treble hook?

depends on the areas you're fishing in, and what specie you are fishing for. it can be confusing.

i think its marine areas 8-2 on the puget sounds. im not even sure if lures are used out here lol

If you’re fishing for salmon in the any saltwater in WA hooks have to be single point and barbless.
Otherwise trebles are ok if not fishing salmon but all hooks have to be barbless in salt.
Personally, with the risk of catching rockfish that have to be released in PS, I stick with single point barbless even bottom fishing for flounder, greenling, etc...
Just personal preference, lures get used all the time around here and can be quite effective.
Good luck!

Large Kastmaster's are great but I'd recommend Herring Dodgers for the Sound. The barbs on single hooks must be pinched off. What area will you be fishing?

thank you for the advice!

Outdoor Gal wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 08, 2021 4:11 am

Large Kastmaster's are great but I'd recommend Les Davis Herring Dodgers for the Sound. The barbs on any lure or hooks must be pinched off. What area will you be fishing?

im in the marysville area. the issue is i havent fished in WA state yet. i grew up in hawaii fishing the shore there but i have no idea on how to fish saltwater here. i was debating on going flat fish or flounder fishing somewhere on 8-2. or someone saud edmonds is a good place to start.

Have fished a lot here, a few times in Hawaii.
Lot more regs and you have to have a license for saltwater here (except this weekend which is a free fishing weekend).
Flounder are a good place to start. Pretty liberal regs for those guys. Have only used left over salmon bait to fish for them but they’re aggressive and would probably hit lures. Small spoons or curly tail grubs should work.

You're welcome Kwonkai234. I know some great places to fish in this area whether it's 8-2 or freshwater lakes. Our outdoor group is planning a fishing camp out for 2-3 days next week. Early morning 8-2 fishing. There's a pier and a boat launch. You are welcome to be part of that. I can pm our link. Crabbing's not open yet but we're gearing up for the season. I'm wondering how we'll fare this year for crabbing. I sent a PM response.

kwonkai234 wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 08, 2021 1:51 pm

Outdoor Gal wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 08, 2021 4:11 am

Large Kastmaster's are great but I'd recommend Herring Dodgers for the Sound. The barbs on hooks must be pinched off. What area will you be fishing?

im in the marysville area. the issue is i havent fished in WA state yet. i grew up in hawaii fishing the shore there but i have no idea on how to fish saltwater here. i was debating on going flat fish or flounder fishing somewhere on 8-2. or someone saud edmonds is a good place to start.

kwonkai234 wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 08, 2021 1:51 pm

Outdoor Gal wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 08, 2021 4:11 am

Large Kastmaster's are great but I'd recommend Les Davis Herring Dodgers for the Sound. The barbs on any lure or hooks must be pinched off. What area will you be fishing?

im in the marysville area. the issue is i havent fished in WA state yet. i grew up in hawaii fishing the shore there but i have no idea on how to fish saltwater here. i was debating on going flat fish or flounder fishing somewhere on 8-2. or someone saud edmonds is a good place to start.

If you like catch and release, most spots on the sound offer a decent chance of hooking a Sea Run Cutthroat using spinners or casting spoons. South Sound is better for this though. Look for pebbles. Please take good care of the fish. Never touch them with dry hands, use a knotless net, keep them in the water. They are a lot of fun to catch on gear, and I am told more fun on the fly