meatballmaniac
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Post by meatballmaniac on Jul 30, 2020 9:59:21 GMT -5
Even with all the regulations, selective gear, limited seasons, I’m still really conflicted about targeting steelhead. Wild steelhead are critically endangered in most rivers and I would hate to hook into one while trying to catch hatchery fish. Up here, they’re few and far between in the Nooksack and Skagit systems. I fished the upper Cascade last winter, and saw one fish while covering about a mile of river. Granted, I was far upriver from where most people get steelies because I don’t like fishing around people (god, I hate people so much), but a hundred years ago I’m sure that stretch of river would have been teeming with fish. I understand the Stillaguamish has had better runs lately, but it has a really short season, and limited access, so you’re should to shoulder with people (who, as I mentioned, I passionately hate). I don’t know about the Skykomish or Peninsula rivers. Anyway, all that to say I care about making sure these fish keep swimming up rivers, and maybe I don’t need to catch one. Assuming you are talking about winter fish, there is usually a fairly distinct difference in timing between the hatchery runs and wild runs. There can be overlap but most wild fish will run Feb-April with the hatchery fishing coming in earlier. So if you want to catch hatchery fish, go in december and you can be relatively certain most fish will be hatchery. Good tip. Thanks!
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snail
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Post by snail on Jul 30, 2020 10:11:17 GMT -5
Didn’t even know this thread was alive. I stay lurking for the most part but love to talk fishing. It’s been tough to get out with everything going on in south Florida lately (and my dad just recently sold our boat) but did get down to the keys two weeks ago and finally got my first inshore grand slam (tarpon, permit, bonefish in the same day). Was able to get the tarpon and bonefish on fly, which were firsts for me too so I was super pumped on that!
Took the day off yesterday to go fish the Everglades and caught all the snook and redfish we wanted until my buddy had to call it quits early. I’ll try to post some pics when I get home from work later today.
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Post by donkeydoesthedane on Jul 30, 2020 12:39:37 GMT -5
Didn’t even know this thread was alive. I stay lurking for the most part but love to talk fishing. It’s been tough to get out with everything going on in south Florida lately (and my dad just recently sold our boat) but did get down to the keys two weeks ago and finally got my first inshore grand slam (tarpon, permit, bonefish in the same day). Was able to get the tarpon and bonefish on fly, which were firsts for me too so I was super pumped on that! Took the day off yesterday to go fish the Everglades and caught all the snook and redfish we wanted until my buddy had to call it quits early. I’ll try to post some pics when I get home from work later today. Were you with a guide?
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snail
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Post by snail on Jul 30, 2020 14:26:14 GMT -5
Didn’t even know this thread was alive. I stay lurking for the most part but love to talk fishing. It’s been tough to get out with everything going on in south Florida lately (and my dad just recently sold our boat) but did get down to the keys two weeks ago and finally got my first inshore grand slam (tarpon, permit, bonefish in the same day). Was able to get the tarpon and bonefish on fly, which were firsts for me too so I was super pumped on that! Took the day off yesterday to go fish the Everglades and caught all the snook and redfish we wanted until my buddy had to call it quits early. I’ll try to post some pics when I get home from work later today. Were you with a guide? For the trip to the keys, I booked a guide since I don’t really fish down that way too much and wanted the best chance to knock off the tarpon on fly. I used my Trump Bux for that so that was cool. I’ve been lucky to grow up with some type of boat my whole life, flats skiffs and now my dad moved onto bay boats since he’s getting older, so I’ve never really had a need to book a charter before. Plus I’m poor as shit and could never afford to do it on a regular basis lol. But after doing it once, I think I’ll make it a yearly thing with my dad or a buddy to split the costs and book a day in the middle of tarpon season. Its nice sometimes not having to do anything but cast to fish lol.
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hormel chavez
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Post by hormel chavez on Jul 30, 2020 18:49:21 GMT -5
a bass a day keeps the doctor away
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Post by donkeydoesthedane on Jul 30, 2020 19:17:09 GMT -5
For the trip to the keys, I booked a guide since I don’t really fish down that way too much and wanted the best chance to knock off the tarpon on fly. I used my Trump Bux for that so that was cool. I’ve been lucky to grow up with some type of boat my whole life, flats skiffs and now my dad moved onto bay boats since he’s getting older, so I’ve never really had a need to book a charter before. Plus I’m poor as shit and could never afford to do it on a regular basis lol. But after doing it once, I think I’ll make it a yearly thing with my dad or a buddy to split the costs and book a day in the middle of tarpon season. Its nice sometimes not having to do anything but cast to fish lol. Cool, I used to go the keys every year for tarpon fishing from like 2005-2016. The last couple of years ive stopped largely due to the high price tag for guides down there. It got to the point where I could go to belize or mexico and fish with a guide for a week for the same amount it would cost for 3 days in the keys. that said, I think I am going to go back next year. My guide retired last year so I am looking for a recommendation if you have one.
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snail
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Post by snail on Jul 30, 2020 19:57:41 GMT -5
For the trip to the keys, I booked a guide since I don’t really fish down that way too much and wanted the best chance to knock off the tarpon on fly. I used my Trump Bux for that so that was cool. I’ve been lucky to grow up with some type of boat my whole life, flats skiffs and now my dad moved onto bay boats since he’s getting older, so I’ve never really had a need to book a charter before. Plus I’m poor as shit and could never afford to do it on a regular basis lol. But after doing it once, I think I’ll make it a yearly thing with my dad or a buddy to split the costs and book a day in the middle of tarpon season. Its nice sometimes not having to do anything but cast to fish lol. Cool, I used to go the keys every year for tarpon fishing from like 2005-2016. The last couple of years ive stopped largely due to the high price tag for guides down there. It got to the point where I could go to belize or mexico and fish with a guide for a week for the same amount it would cost for 3 days in the keys. that said, I think I am going to go back next year. My guide retired last year so I am looking for a recommendation if you have one. I fished with a guy named Jared Raskob and I’d recommend him to anyone. Awesome guy, phenomenal fisherman and definitely one of the hardest working guys down there. He’s on the more expensive side ($1k for a full day) but we fished for 10 hours and he poled me around for 4 hours while i fucked up every shot at bonefish until I hooked one to finish the slam. Worth every penny though. Richard Black is another guy too that I would love to fish with. He’s probably the best all around guide down there and he’s like 31. I’d definitely give him a shot if you were looking for someone.
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hormel chavez
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Post by hormel chavez on Aug 8, 2020 20:07:27 GMT -5
didnt fish much this week cause I had family visiting from NC, but today I was back on my bullshit
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meatballmaniac
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Post by meatballmaniac on Aug 8, 2020 22:46:51 GMT -5
I’m heading out to the San Juan Islands for a few days. Gonna try to get into some trout with the fly rod. I’ll report back.
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Tstigz
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Hope everyone is doing well and having a nice day
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Post by Tstigz on Aug 9, 2020 10:07:06 GMT -5
Fishing in a kayak has always seemed cool to me. My experience is only in jon boats or pontoons. Is it challenging by comparison?
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Popcorn Sutton
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Post by Popcorn Sutton on Aug 9, 2020 10:13:35 GMT -5
I can’t speak for all kayaks but I fish out of a hobie pedal yak and it’s my favorite platform for fishing. It depends on what you do but for what I do, inshore/nearshore saltwater in the northeast I’ll take it over a regular boat.
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xpatx
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Post by xpatx on Aug 9, 2020 10:50:36 GMT -5
I’d love to invest in one of those pedal kayaks to troll for salmon. Seems like a chunk of money up front but probably worth it.
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hormel chavez
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Post by hormel chavez on Aug 9, 2020 11:19:07 GMT -5
i just have a $250 pelican fishing kayak and its good enough for my small lake but maybe one day i'll drop the money on a pedal kayak that i can stand up in
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Popcorn Sutton
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Post by Popcorn Sutton on Aug 9, 2020 12:29:59 GMT -5
I’d love to invest in one of those pedal kayaks to troll for salmon. Seems like a chunk of money up front but probably worth it. Definitely an investment but imo worth it. Especially for trolling and chasing schools for crashing fish. Also great for bottom fishing like fluke because you can use to pedals to control your drift. There are also very capable paddle yaks, nu canoe and Jackson notably make some nice paddle yaks that are stable enough to stand up in.
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hormel chavez
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Post by hormel chavez on Aug 9, 2020 12:56:41 GMT -5
I’d love to invest in one of those pedal kayaks to troll for salmon. Seems like a chunk of money up front but probably worth it. Definitely an investment but imo worth it. Especially for trolling and chasing schools for crashing fish. Also great for bottom fishing like fluke because you can use to pedals to control your drift. There are also very capable paddle yaks, nu canoe and Jackson notably make some nice paddle yaks that are stable enough to stand up in. I got a cheap anchor for when I don't want to drift but its crazy they're selling peddle kayaks with front trolling motors with spotlock now
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xpatx
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Post by xpatx on Aug 9, 2020 12:56:43 GMT -5
I’d love to invest in one of those pedal kayaks to troll for salmon. Seems like a chunk of money up front but probably worth it. Definitely an investment but imo worth it. Especially for trolling and chasing schools for crashing fish. Also great for bottom fishing like fluke because you can use to pedals to control your drift. There are also very capable paddle yaks, nu canoe and Jackson notably make some nice paddle yaks that are stable enough to stand up in. I’m gonna do it eventually, just need to prepare myself for the up front costs haha. I’d probably do the same thing these types of guys do. Heavier duty kayak, fish finders, trolling gear, etc. I’d be a little nervous taking a hand paddle/fresh water kayak in the puget sound, especially around the narrows bridge. The water gets pretty tumultuous under there.
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Popcorn Sutton
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Post by Popcorn Sutton on Aug 9, 2020 13:35:35 GMT -5
Haha I check out die hards videos. Interesting to me as an east coast guy that has never fished on the west coast.
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xpatx
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Post by xpatx on Aug 9, 2020 13:46:53 GMT -5
I can’t answer for south of me but here in the PNW salmon/steelhead are king. And to a lesser extent halibut, long cod, rock fish. Definitely more salt water based, Bass and lake fishing in general is definitely done but the focus is more ocean, sound and river fishing for migrating species.
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Popcorn Sutton
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Post by Popcorn Sutton on Aug 9, 2020 20:54:04 GMT -5
its crazy they're selling peddle kayaks with front trolling motors with spotlock now Yeah idk how I feel about those haha at that point I think I’d just get a skiff. At least in salt water idk how it translates with fresh as I have never fished it. Ended up on my buddy’s boat today. Action was slow but we had a few black sea bass and a pretty nice fluke. Tacos tomorrow.
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snail
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Post by snail on Aug 10, 2020 9:26:59 GMT -5
Fished all day Saturday in Biscayne Bay with my buddy and had some good shots at bonefish but couldn’t buy a bite. It was his first trip down this way in his new (to him) skiff so I was really hoping we could connect but wasn’t meant to be. Did catch a couple jacks and small mutton snapper though in lures. Still can’t figure out how to post pics since I’m an idiot though hahaha. If anyone’s interested, feel free to follow me on IG. It’s pretty much just photos from fishing and my dog: nickeast24
Down here, kayak fishing is huge. You can access a lot of great sight fishing spots from pretty much any marina or key biscayne beaches. The hobie seems to be most people’s top choice but man, they are expensive. Still saving my pennies for a skiff next year.
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hormel chavez
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Post by hormel chavez on Aug 10, 2020 19:25:11 GMT -5
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meatballmaniac
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Post by meatballmaniac on Aug 12, 2020 8:54:19 GMT -5
I’m heading out to the San Juan Islands for a few days. Gonna try to get into some trout with the fly rod. I’ll report back. Update: I did not fish on my trip, but the lakes on Orcas have tons of fish in them, despite being used heavily.
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xpatx
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Post by xpatx on Aug 12, 2020 11:23:33 GMT -5
I love orcas island. I want to move there or one of the outlying islands at some point
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meatballmaniac
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Post by meatballmaniac on Aug 12, 2020 15:03:21 GMT -5
I love orcas island. I want to move there or one of the outlying islands at some point Bring your 5wt, some wooly buggers, and a pontoon boat.
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Top Rope Swanton
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these muchachos know what's up
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Post by Top Rope Swanton on Aug 13, 2020 11:08:27 GMT -5
island camping might be my favorite thing ever
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hormel chavez
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Post by hormel chavez on Aug 13, 2020 21:29:34 GMT -5
catchin bass n eatin ass
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hormel chavez
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Post by hormel chavez on Aug 15, 2020 20:31:06 GMT -5
these 2 both measured 15" and look at the size difference. that one is a hog
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meatballmaniac
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Post by meatballmaniac on Aug 15, 2020 20:34:12 GMT -5
Damn, mintberrycrunch, you are prolific.
And also very good looking.
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xpatx
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Post by xpatx on Aug 16, 2020 10:17:48 GMT -5
I didn’t catch anything the other day but I hung with this lil guy. Called a seal rescue organization and they said it’s normal that the mom throws baby up on shore while they go fishing.
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Popcorn Sutton
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Post by Popcorn Sutton on Aug 16, 2020 10:48:57 GMT -5
His momma was probably the reason you didn’t catch anything haha
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