Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Darrell & Dads Family Guide Service

Phone: (509) 687-0709

Quick Links

Area 2 Westport - Ocean Shores Report
Washington

Photos

Details

08/27/2013
66° - 70°
Downriggers
Chinook Salmon
Other
Green
Raining
Flasher/Lure
All Day
08/29/2013
3
1985

Launched out of Westport a bit later than usual, 8ish, since I took a nap after I arrived at 3 am from the Kirkland/Kenmore area. Headed for the 300' depth line about 23 miles from the ramp. Saw the Starfire, charter, just north of the North Jetty so I drug some gear for a bit with no takers. The trip out was a bit bumpy with the swell being a little steep occasionally... Traveling at 20 mph was too fast for conditions... I caught a lot of air and hit hard a bunch in my 17 footer. I stopped occasionally on the way out and drug some gear, various flashers, squids and lures to break up the pounding episode. I had a few takers, fish on and such, releasing all but I knew I was heading where I tied into hawgs a couple years back. I wouldn't be satisfied with any silver that didn't bust 10lbs. My arrival and subsequent fishing at the 300' depth line was a bit disappointing at first, pretty slow and no sign of bait or birds. I hooked up with a couple smallish wild silvers and was beginning to second guess my decision to travel out this far this time. Then, it happened! Tap tap at the rod and a release! I jumped at the rod and reeled in till she was tight. Got the downrigger running up. Line didn't go tearing out like sometimes but it felt like a big healthy fish and did take several short heavy runs that none of the other fish of today had achieved. With the downrigger all the way up, I pulled out the net and set it where it would be in easy reach. I slowed the throttle and put the boat into my turn to starboard, keeping the fish on the starboard side for netting. I knew this fish was big but I know my eyes got a bit bigger when I first saw it. She was a hawg and what I came here for. I whispered something to the fish gods to let me get this babe in the boat! She was wore out after a few more short runs from the boat after I saw her. The netting seemed to go flawlessly even though I fished solo this day. The thumping and thrashing of this king alongside the boat was exhilarating, I know I was smiling a big shit eating grin! I got her! Of course the hooks popped out when I brought her and the net into the boat. Close one! She weighed out whole at 28 pounds, roughly 38", my biggest this year. I was stoked! Line back in the water and fill out the paper work..... I caught a handful more silvers, some wilds with a little more size, all released. I fished the rest of the day at various spots on the way back to the ramp. Pulled into the ramp about 8pm, it was getting dark! LOL Tight lines ALL!


Comments

Nelly1
8/30/2013 12:58:00 AM
Thanks for the report and great story, Mark! Great selfie of you and your fish too. I'll be out there next weekend trying to get one of those hawgs. Wild silvers will be legal on Sept. 1st. Game on!
MarkFromSea
8/30/2013 12:51:00 PM
Careful Nelly and ALL! Sept 6th for MA 2! I'm seeing a lot of confusion on these dates at the fishing sites. MA 1 is Sept 1! Check the WDFW for the emergency changes and announcements.

LOL I had a rough time getting a decent self photo there... Guess I should have gutted it to lighten it up a bit. LOL
Leave a Comment:

Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Darrell & Dads Family Guide Service

Phone: (509) 687-0709