2015 Washington State Halibut Fishing Season Dates

Posted on March 27, 2015 by John L. Beath

NEWS RELEASE

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

March 27, 2015

Contact: Heather Reed, (360) 249-1202 

2015 halibut seasons provide more fishing options in Columbia River area

OLYMPIA – Anglers can expect halibut fishing seasons this year to be similar to 2014 for the Puget Sound and coastal waters, with some additional fishing opportunities in the Columbia River area.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) sets halibut seasons using catch quotas adopted by the International Pacific Halibut Commission. The recreational catch quota for all of Washington’s areas is 214,110 pounds, the same as last year.

WDFW has revised the season structure for the Columbia River fishery to encourage anglers to fish for halibut there, said Heather Reed, WDFW coastal policy coordinator. The season for that area will run continuously instead of being divided between an early and late season.

“We continue to look for ways to increase fishing opportunity in the Columbia River area, where the catch has been below the quota in recent years,” Reed said.

Anglers will again be allowed to retain all bottomfish while having halibut onboard their boats in the nearshore section of the Columbia River fishery (Marine Area 1), which opens May 4 on a Monday-through-Wednesday schedule. Additional changes will allow anglers to retain flatfish – in addition to sablefish and Pacific cod – with halibut on board during the all-depth fishery that opens May 1 on a Thursday– through-Sunday schedule.

“In addition to some great halibut fishing, anglers can look forward to more opportunities to target bottomfish in Westport, Neah Bay and La Push,” Reed said.

For the first time since 2008, anglers will be allowed to fish for lingcod in the Westport area (south of 46⁰ 58’ N. Lat. and seaward of 30 fathoms) on Fridays and Saturdays, from July 1 through Aug. 31.

In addition, anglers fishing in the deep waters off the north coast in Marine areas 3 and 4, west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line, will have more days to retain bottomfish, including lingcod. Starting this year, the 20 fathom (120 ft.) depth restriction will be in place May 9 through Labor Day, rather than May 1 through Sept. 30.

WDFW considers management measures for coastal sport bottomfish fisheries every two years through the Pacific Fishery Management Council process.

Regulations approved by the council include depth restrictions and area closures designed to reduce encounters with yelloweye and canary rockfish in coastal waters. Anglers are also prohibited from retaining those species – and bocaccio rockfish – in parts of Puget Sound.

Anglers are strongly encouraged to use a descending device to release these rockfish species, as well as other rockfish that anglers don’t intend to retain. Information about descending devices can be found on WDFW’s webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/bottomfish/rockfish/mortality.html.

In all marine areas open to halibut fishing, there is a one-fish daily catch limit and no minimum size restriction. Anglers may possess a maximum of two fish in any form and must record their catch on a WDFW catch record card.

Changes to the effective date of the WDFW Sport Fishing Pamphlet will mean that the most up-to-date information on recreational halibut and bottomfish seasons and regulations will be found on the WDFW website http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/creel/halibut/.

2015 Puget Sound halibut seasons

  • Marine Area 5: The fishery will be open May 15 and 16; Thursday through Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, May 21-24; and May 29 and 30.
  • Marine Areas 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10: The fishery will be open May 8 and 9; May 15 and 16; Thursday through Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, May 21-24; and May 28-30.
  • Marine Areas 11, 12, 13: These areas will remain closed to halibut fishing to protect threatened and endangered rockfish species.

2015 Pacific Coast halibut seasons

  • Marine Area 1 (Columbia River): Marine Area 1 opens May 1, four days per week (Thursday–Sunday) until the subarea quota is taken, or Sept. 30, whichever occurs first. Five hundred pounds of the subarea quota is reserved for an incidental fishery in the nearshore area, which will be open May 4 on a Monday–Wednesday schedule, which are the days the all depth halibut fishery is closed. Coordinates for the nearshore fishery are available online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/creel/halibut/. The all depth quota is 9,754 pounds; the nearshore quota is 500 pounds.
  • Marine Area 2 (Westport): Marine Area 2 opens May 3, two days per week (Sundays and Tuesdays) for three consecutive weeks (the season could close sooner if the quota is reached). The primary fishery is closed May 24 and 26 but will reopen May 31 or June 2 if sufficient quota remains and continue until the quota is achieved, or Sept. 30, whichever occurs first. The northern nearshore area will be open on May 3, and continue seven days per week until the nearshore quota is reached or Sept. 30, whichever occurs first. The quota for the primary fishery is 40,739 pounds; the quota for the northern nearshore fishery is 2,000 pounds.
  • Marine Areas 3 and 4 (La Push and Neah Bay): Marine areas 3 and 4 open May 14, two days per week, Thursdays and Saturdays, through May 23 (as long as there is sufficient quota). This area will be closed May 28 and 30. If there is available quota, the fishery will re-open June 4 and/or 6. Additional days could be added (Thursdays and Saturdays), depending on the amount of quota available. The areas would remain open until the quota is reached or Sept. 30, whichever occurs first. The combined quota for both areas is 108,030 pounds.
Posted in Washington Halibut Fishing, Washington Halibut Regs | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Eastern Bank Halibut Fishing Map

Posted on March 14, 2015 by John L. Beath
Where to fish for halibut on Eastern Bank

Where to fish for halibut on Eastern Bank

Washington’s halibut season is just a few weeks away, and begins on May 8th on the inner waters. Yesterday, Friday March 13th I went salmon fishing on Eastern Bank for salmon. Eastern Bank sits in the middle of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and offers anglers one of the best areas to catch salmon and halibut. The bank’s sandy bottom attracts massive schools of candlefish as well as herring and other bait fish. Several good salmon fishing reports from Eastern Bank combined with calm seas made this a good choice to try.

Best depths for salmon and halibut at Eastern Bank range from 90 to 130 feet. On an outgoing tide the bait will move deeper, so be ready to move farther west and drop your downrigger balls deeper

Best depths for salmon and halibut at Eastern Bank range from 90 to 130 feet. On an outgoing tide the bait will move deeper, so be ready to move farther west and drop your downrigger balls deeper

Upon arriving at the bank, we got our first line in the water, a chrome dodger with a Silver Horde #2 green spatterback Kingfisher spoon on a 40-inch leader. The first salmon hit before getting the second rod in the water. The area showed small schools of candlefish hovering on bottom as well as a few salmon working the bottom. I’ve fished Eastern Bank many times over the past few years and have always preferred fishing the southwest corner. This area attracts bait, salmon and halibut on incoming and outgoing tides. By 10:20 a.m. we had landed 10 salmon, of which only one was a hatchery keeper that measured 28 inches long. Right at 10:30, my rod that had my favorite old F4 Piscator flasher with a #2 cop car Kingfisher spoon jerked violently from the downrigger release. As soon as I grabbed the rod the fish thrashed its head, a clear indication a halibut grabbed my small spoon. No surprise there because my gear hovered within five feet off bottom, where candlefish and salmon were most active.

My fishing partner, Lance, caught the first keeper winter blackmouth while using a chrome dodger with a #2 green spatterback Kingfisher spoon

My fishing partner, Lance, caught the first keeper winter blackmouth while using a chrome dodger with a #2 green spatterback Kingfisher spoon

My first keeper hit a Silver Horde #2 cop car Kingfisher spoon trolled behind an F4 Piscator flasher on a 40-inch leader

My first keeper hit a Silver Horde #2 cop car Kingfisher spoon trolled behind an F4 Piscator flasher on a 40-inch leader

This nice sized 40-pound halibut grabbed a #2 cop car Kingfisher spoon.

This nice sized 40-pound halibut grabbed a #2 cop car Kingfisher spoon.

Fighting halibut on salmon gear, especially “Canadian style” knuckle buster reels can be a vigorous challenge. As you can imagine, the halibut fought hard all the way to the top, then flattened out on the surface, where I tried to remove the barbless hook from it’s jaw.

This halibut went crazy on the surface and gave me a saltwater shower.

This halibut went crazy on the surface and gave me a saltwater shower.

The 40 pound halibut wanted no part of me reaching toward its mouth and gave me a saltwater shower as it headed back to the depths. After the halibut going to the bottom twice, it finally tired enough for me to grab its tail and remove the hook before sending it on its way. In past years I’ve caught halibut in Canada on my birthday, March 23rd, but never earlier than that date. This is a good sign for our upcoming halibut season.

Eastern Region (MA 6-10)

May 8-9
May 15-16
May 21-24
May 28-30

Here's where I target winter blackmouth on Eastern Bank during high and low tides.

Here’s where I target winter blackmouth on Eastern Bank during high and low tides.

All totaled, our Friday the 13th fishing trip to Eastern Bank provided us with 13 salmon to the boat, two of which had missing adipose fins and measured well over the 22-inch minimum size limit. We also lost a nice sized salmon and released the nice sized halibut.

When we first arrived at the bank the tidal flow was weak and incoming. Our best action happened during the incoming right through slack tide. When the tide turned and flowed out we stayed in the same area and continued to catch salmon, including one of the keepers. Whether fishing for salmon or halibut, Eastern Bank can provide excellent fishing on the southwest side.

When salmon are feeding on small candlefish Silver Horde #2 Kingfisher spoons work great when trolled on 40-inch leaders behind dodgers or flashers.

When salmon are feeding on small candlefish Silver Horde #2 Kingfisher spoons work great when trolled on 40-inch leaders behind dodgers or flashers.

I watch for calm days of 5 knots of wind or less to fish Eastern Bank. Since Eastern Bank sits in the middle of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, extreme caution should be used when planning your trip to Eastern Bank. As you can see, Friday the 13th was a flat day here.

I watch for calm days of 5 knots of wind or less to fish Eastern Bank. Since Eastern Bank sits in the middle of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, extreme caution should be used when planning your trip to Eastern Bank. As you can see, Friday the 13th was a flat day here.

Posted in Halibut Fishing Photos, Halibut Fishing Tackle, Halibut Fishing Tips, Halibut Fishing Videos, Puget Sound Halibut Fishing, Washington Halibut Fishing, Washington Halibut Maps | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

2015 Washington State Halibut Fishing Season

Posted on February 10, 2015 by John L. Beath

From our friend, Dave Croonquist

Eastern Region (MA 6-10)

May 8-9
May 15-16
May 21-24
May 28-30

Western Region (MA 5)
May 15-16
May 21-24
May 29-30

Here’s a short update about the Puget Sound halibut meeting held today in Olympia. The meeting was run by Michele Culver and Heather Reed.

There was an overview of the 2014 Puget Sound catch estimate. Final numbers aren’t in due to problems with the methodology being used. Early numbers would indicate that we are getting better at catching halibut and our 2014 catch rate was probably higher than 2013. WDFW has requested a grant to do an intensive sampling effort this spring to ground-truth the estimated effort from the phone survey. More information will be coming out later.

There was discussion on the 2A Total Allowed Catch (TAC) and subarea quotas. The report was the 2A was going to get 750,000 lbs of halibut due to declining biomass levels. WA, CA, and OR were able to use our restricted fisheries seasons and had the IPHC give 2A an additional 220,000 lbs of halibut giving 2A a total of 970,000 lbs – a 10,000 lb increase over 2013. The breakdown of the 2A quota is 339,500 lbs for the tribal fisheries and 630,500 lbs for the non-tribal fisheries. The non-tribal breakdown is 203,912 lbs for the commercial fishery, WA sport gets 214,110 lbs (same as last year), OR sport gets 187,259 lbs, and CA sport gets 25,220 lbs.

The 2015 season dates were discussed. Because of our estimated harvest in 2014, we will be fishing 11 days in MA 6-10 and 8 days in MA 5. The season dates are:
There will be some overlap on the ocean fishery days. That should help spread out some of the pressure.

The proposal of going to a set season and an annual bag limit was discussed. The folks fishing the ocean did not want a general season structure and made a good argument for maintaining their current structure. There will be a meeting with WDFW to discuss possibilities of going to a season structure and an annual bag limit for the Puget Sound fisheries. Michele Culver will be doing a poll about possible dates for a meeting to start the discussion. It will not be easy. The IPHC sideboards are pretty tight and, as is the case when the feds are involved, the state can be more restrictive in its regulations, but it can’t be more liberal. That said, the IPHC and NMFS set the season dates for fishing and the allowed poundage. WDFW, per Michele’s acknowledgement today, can set the seasons within the federal framework. At this time, we don’t know what might be possible. We could well end up with the same seasons we’ve had for the past 6 years or we could get an annual personal limit and more time to catch it. Should be interesting discussions.
Dave Croonquist

Posted in Puget Sound Halibut Fishing, Washington Halibut Fishing, Washington Halibut Regs | Tagged , | 7 Comments

FAT Squid Christmas Sale

Posted on December 12, 2014 by John L. Beath

Hey Everyone,
SquidPro Tackle is having a sale on FAT Squids until January 1st with a HUGE savings. Check it out and order your special Christmas FAT Squid special today.
http://www.halibut.net/Fat-Squid-Sale.htm

Halibut.net FAT Squid Special Sale

This makes a great gift for the halibut & bottomfish angler in your life. Or just treat yourself and stock up today. This is the best deal you will find on FAT Squids.

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Releasing BIG Halibut at Whaler’s Cove Lodge

Posted on June 28, 2014 by John L. Beath

ImageToday five guests joined me on the JIL. Three of them, Lee & Candyce Johnson and Randy Spencer fished with me last year. This year they brought two friends to enjoy Alaska’s wealth of fishing, scenery and wildlife.

The group wanted BIG halibut today, so we headed south and across Chatham Strait. Captain Garfield showed me the way, where he caught and released several monster halibut yesterday. Candyce’s rod went off first, bent double with a nice halibut. Half way up it came off the hook. Half an hour later she again hooked a nice halibut but it came off the hook again. I figured it was the same halibut that had been through a commercial long line and likely had a tear in its jaw, preventing a solid hook placement. Oh well, at least she got to experience a bent rod.

Randy Spencer fished with a FAT Head jig and 7.5 inch FAT Squid and caught the only keeper of the day as well as releasing a little ping pong paddle sized halibut. The star of the day was Lee Johnson, who first hook this nice 60.5 inch 110 pound halibut. After measuring the fish and getting the barbless circle hook out of its jaw we released it and watched as it splashed me in the face as it flipped it tail toward the 300 foot depth.

Half and hour later Lee hooked up again and fought a 55-inch halibut to the surface. Here at Whaler’s Cove Lodge, guided guests who release the largest halibut during their four or three day trip compete for a 2 for 1 certificate for a return trip. Lee is in the lead, but has to sweat three more days of fishing, while hoping nobody else catches and releases a bigger fish than his. If he wins he will receive a 2 for 1 4-day fully guided trip back to the lodge. I’m sure Randy Spencer, JR and Wade, my three other guests will do their best to try and best Lee’s catch. The rest of the guided fleet will also try hard to beat his catch. Good luck to everyone at the lodge.

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Good luck and good fishing,

John

Posted in Halibut Fishing Photos, Halibut Fishing Tackle, Whaler's Cove Lodge Halibut | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Fishing For Halibut At Whaler’s Cove Lodge

Posted on June 16, 2014 by John L. Beath

Today I finally got the JIL on the water and ready to begin fishing. Three of us from the lodge, Capt. Malcolm and Betsy from the front desk joined me on the shakedown fishing trip for the 32-foot JIL. The JIL is an aluminum boat made in 1999 and had a brand new Yanmar 300 hp diesel installed last season. I had the pleasure of breaking in the engine pre season and she runs like a top. This season they installed a rebuilt Mercury out drive.

The short run from the lodge to Danger Point sounded perfect. When testing and sea trialing a vessel it’s a good idea to really listen. Thankfully the engine and out drive did not rattle, rumble or make any sounds other the the sweet sounds of perfection.

After arrive at Danger Point we watched several eagles swoop down and take herring from the surface. We dropped our bait catching rigs and had a few dozen within 20 minutes. Prior to going halibut fishing I deployed both downriggers to make sure they worked smoothly. My new Silver Horde downrigger rudders looked and worked great. The new spectra line on the ‘riggers also worked great and lacked the hum that stainless wire creates.

Here’s a few pictures of our catch on our short day of fishing to test rods, reels, gear, out drive etc.

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My first guests arrive Wednesday.

Tight lines, I hope to see you at Whaler’s Cove Lodge.

John

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How to Bait Circle Hooks

Posted on June 15, 2014 by John L. Beath

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Today I went fishing with Whaler’s Cove Lodge Master Guide, Garfield George. Garfield is the chief of his house in Angoon, home of the Tlingit people. On the way fishing Captain Garfield shared his people’s local history, his family history and lots of local fishing knowledge. Spending time with him was fantastic.

After anchoring Captain Garfield showed us how to use rubber bands to keep herring on the hook longer. He also showed how he cuts the herring to create a better scent field. The technique is simple, two small rubber bands over the circle hook and then put the herring head through the hook and back out of the body below the neck of the bait. The method worked great and kept the bait in place.

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Captain Garfield George at the helm, pulling into Hood Bay, just minutes from Whaler’s Cove Lodge.

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Posted in Alaska Halibut Fishing Maps, Halibut Fishing Photos, Halibut Fishing Tackle, Halibut Fishing Tips, Whaler's Cove Lodge Halibut | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Captain Albert Finds Monster Halibut For Guest

Posted on June 14, 2014 by John L. Beath

ImageWhaler’s Cove Lodge opened today. Captain Albert, locally known as one of the best trophy halibut hunters, did it again.

After leaving the dock he has his guests took off for one of Albert’s favorite halibut holes.

David Jacobs is the lucky angler who hooked and fought this large barndoor that measured 67 1/2 inches and weighed roughly 155 to 165 pounds. The fish was measured and quickly released unharmed.

In Southeast Alaska guided anglers may keep halibut up to 44 inches or over 76 inches.

Halibut in the Angoon Alaska area are fat because of the vast amounts of feed available.

Congratulations David Jacobs and way to go Captain Albert.

After posting yesterday I heard more of the story from Albert’s boat. Apparently one of the anglers aboard lost his grip on a halibut rod and reel while jigging. Gasps abound aboard the Captain Albert’s “Santa Maria” 32 foot boat as said guest’s rod sunk out of sight while on anchor. Said angler said he felt horrible, especially since it was one of Captain Albert’s favorite rods that is no longer available. Thirty minutes later Jacobs hooked a nice 68 1/2 pound halibut, fought it to the surface and skillful hands of Captain Albert. Luckily the lost rod’s line had tangled with the fish, enabling them to retrieve the lost rod and reel.

In the coming weeks I will share more halibut fishing stories, techniques, images and general maps of where we are fishing, so stay tuned.

Tight lines,

John

 

Posted in Halibut Fishing Photos, Whaler's Cove Lodge Halibut | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Eagle Swimming in Saltwater

Posted on June 13, 2014 by John L. Beath

Two days ago I watched two eagles lock talons from about 300 feet above the water. Were they mating or fighting? I don’t know the answer to that question. As I watched in awe they plummeted to the water and failed to part before splashing into the water. One eagle was able to hop atop the other eagle and take flight, leaving the second eagle flopping in the water. The first eagle then continued to swoop toward the eagle in the water with talons extended, going for the other eagle’s head. The eagle in the water went on it’s back and tried to defend itself.

After seeing this I was able to position my boat close enough to prevent the attacks. The eagle then began the long swim to shore. I then began recording video using my iPhone 4s. Not shown in the video is the seal that decided it might want to eat the eagle. Again, I positioned the boat between the seal and eagle to save the eagle.

It took about 15 to 20 minutes for the eagle to reach shore. Upon reaching shore the eagles in the trees made a heck of a racket.

Posted in Wildlife Videos | 1 Comment

Whaler’s Cove Lodge Opens Saturday June 14th

Posted on June 9, 2014 by John L. Beath

Whaler’s Cove Lodge Open Saturday June 14th.

Posted in Whaler's Cove Lodge Halibut | Leave a comment