Ocean Shrimp Marine Area 4 Neah Bay

[RB]

Has anyone ever gone after Shrimp on the Ocean side of Neah Bay? Regs say it is open nearly year round with a larger daily limit. Is it worth throwing in a pot or two while going to the outside to get bass? Or are the currents too great to bother?

[Mfowl]

Never done it, but I've heard you need to make a long run out into the ocean, like the continental shelf (20+ miles.) I think they increased the limit this year because its so far out and not many do it. Not sure if they can be found closer in but I would think it would be more popular if they were.

[sirmissalot]

The general consensus seems to be no one really ever tries it, probably for a reason. I have never caught a fish out there with a shrimp in its belly, but I know they are there. Pretty sure the shrimp they catch out on the shelf are pink shrimp, not worth messing with to me. Not sure I've ever heard of prawns out there, maybe though.

I have said several times I want to drop a few shrimp and crab pots in various spots on the way out halibut fishing but have never done it, usually too much going on to mess with it.

[BigD]

I talked with a commercial guy that claimed he fished them, in fact he was selling them at his boat. He claimed they had to go out pretty deep, but I don't think to the shelf. He didn't really want to share much info about it.
I have seen bouys on the way out hali fishing 400'-500' or so, they were on the edge of a rip line, I assumed they were prawn pots.

[hunt_fish]

I would think Swiftsure Bank you would be able to pick up some shrimp.

[sirmissalot]

The tide rips at swiftsure, not sure it would work well except for near slack tide.

[RB]

Yeah if the tides are running hard it would be tough to keep gear from moving. I have wondered if it is like some of the "ANY" Elk areas the reason for it is there are none or very little in a small area no one can get to. It is tempting on a nice summer day to find a spot and try it.

[Chase 1]

The answer is hitting your chosen spot from 1 hr before tide change to one hour after the tide change. No rip current and it's when you can get your limit with a short soak.

[lokidog]

The answer is hitting your chosen spot from 1 hr before tide change to one hour after the tide change. No rip current and it's when you can get your limit with a short soak.

Depends where you are at... first time trying, I would stay close to watch them and see what they do.  Off the south end of Lopez, even a .6 knot (according to the charts) current can take pots over a mile, on the incoming, but does not do so on the outgoing.

A couple years ago, I rescued 18 pots for people that had lost them earlier in the day.   

[RB]

Good point watch the tide for a low runoff and stay close

[Mfowl]

I was at a PSA meeting where the speaker was the shellfish biologist from the WDFW. The topic of spot shrimping at Neah Bay came up. He said they are fished at the heads of canyons in 500-600 fow. Usually about 30 miles offshore. Due to the extreme depth/distance its predominantly a commercial fishery. Just thought I'd pass it along.

[RB]

I was at a PSA meeting where the speaker was the shellfish biologist from the WDFW. The topic of spot shrimping at Neah Bay came up. He said they are fished at the heads of canyons in 500-600 fow. Usually about 30 miles offshore. Due to the extreme depth/distance its predominantly a commercial fishery. Just thought I'd pass it along.

Wow the average Joe is not going to be able to do that