Area 9

[Gobble Doc]

I plan to take my first solo outing tomorrow in Area 9 for a salmon.  My 13' whaler has a 40 hp on it so I can't go slow enough to troll so I'm going to jig with hardware instead.  Main objective will be to successfully do a solo launch, have a safe time, and not tick too many people off at the launch by taking too many people upset.  A fish will be a bonus. 

[h20hunter]

Where are you launching from?

[FC]

Unless something is very wrong with your outboard it should definitely run slow enough to troll for salmon! Kings you are trolling from 1.5-2mph and silvers you troll from about 1.8-4mph. If you don't have down-riggers then pick up a diver, deep-six divers work well.

You didn't mention where you were launching at but I would definitely use the Everett launch for area 9 if it's reasonably close, it's one of the best launches around.

Observe the basics like walking your boat down the dock and tying both ends securely before parking your truck and you probably won't tick anyone off. Have fun and stay safe!

[h20hunter]

Agreed with FC on all comments. Also, when launching solo in the am dont be afraid to move over into the "remove" lanes. In the morning there are very few boats coming out. You will have more room that way.

[Gobble Doc]

Thanks guys.

Yes, I plan to use the ramp in Everett.  I used it last year launching with my kids and had no problem.  I don't think that Possession is as good as off Port Townsend right now but I'm not willing to go further than I need to.

I took my boat out this week with my GPS to a local lake and I was trolling around 3 mph, maybe a little slower.  I think for this first trip I'm just going to keep it as simple as possible and jig with a Point Wilson Dart or similar.  Maybe when going for coho I could try the diver? 

[Gobble Doc]

I saw someone launching in the remove lanes before and figured that they just couldn't read.  But if it is OK then I'll definitely keep it as an option. 

Do you think that jigging hardware can work as well as mooching with herring?  Just curious. 

[FC]

If you stay on the bait then jigging will work, I've caught plenty of salmon on jigs! You really idle at 3mph huh? Drag a bucket behind your boat if you have to, it will definitely slow you down!

[h20hunter]

I stress early morning to do it. Look for birds. Birds mean bait. Active bait means salmon. I would focus on that for jigging. Also....how about mooching a cut olug?

[Gobble Doc]

Probably after I prove to myself that I'll be able to pull off a successful trip with the most simple system possible then I'll start to add crab traps and herring to the equation. 

Now I'm wondering if there is something that I could do to troll with my 40 hp without having to drag stuff in the water?  Maybe a different prop?  I think the reality is that my motor is just too big to realistically troll with.  The slowest I can go is about 2.8 mph and the fastest I have gone is around 34 mph.  Measured using the GPS.  Maybe I could also trim the motor at an effecient angle to slow down a troll? 

Do you guys use an autotether?  A device that kills the motor if you ever happen to go over the edge?  I have the physical lanyard but this is a wireless device that clips to you so that you can move around. 

[Button Nubbs]

I do believe they make a plate that goes on the backside of your prop. I think its called "happy troll"? But I'm not sure.

[h20hunter]

Got a bucket or two? Drag em.

[FC]

It sounds to me like your motor just idles too high, Ripper and I have trolled just fine running his 200hp main motor! I routinely troll with my 25, it idles at about .5mph.

Drag a bucket, it's the cheapest solution.

[Gobble Doc]

OK, I'm sold on the bucket experiment.  Tomorrow I will take 2 buckets and some line.  I'll post my results tomorrow night!  Thanks for the suggestions. 

[h20hunter]

One off each side....keep em away frim the prop.

[Gobble Doc]

OK, I made it out and successfully made it back without any major disasters.  My first solo launch went smoothly.  The put in was pretty easy.  The only minor issue I had taking out was getting the back end on straight.  I just had to pull a little further out of the water with the trailer and then tugged on a line I had tied to the stern to even things up.  My fishing was less of a success.  I managed to snag a flatfish and a dogfish but no paydirt.   

Now I want a downrigger.