Discovery Bay Fishing and Crabbing

[brianmtsinc]

I will be spending next week at a time share in Discovery Bay with some friends and family.  I will have my 24ft Stingray, which has a couple of down riggers, and 4 crab pots.  This will be a combo fishing trip / sightseeing trip.   Hopefully us guys will get out and fish the mornings, and then maybe run with our wives over to the San Juans for a couple of days. 

I have never been in this area, so my questions:

1) Recommendations on how / where to target salmon?  Any species.  Honestly, I just want the family to have some fun catching fish.

2) Good crabbing areas close by ?

3) Estimated run time to Victoria and/or San Juans?

Thanks in advance for any advice you are willing to share!! 
Kind regards,
Brian

[robodad]

I would trailer over to John Wayne Marina on Sequim Bay and drop pots off in the east side of the harbor then head over to the islands going past Dungeness Lighthouse on the way, there are several banks you could fish like Hein Bank or Middle Bank even Dallas bank right outside of Discovery Bay could be good for Salmon. Getting to the San Juan Islands should take about 1.5 hrs depending on your speed and weather conditions and also your destination there, Victoria would be a little longer just because its further west make sure your prepared for customs as you won't be able to go ashore without going through and I have no idea where you go to do that so you'll have to look that up !!

The other way is to launch at Port Townsend and do your crabbing out off the mill, then head out of there and fish Mid-Channel bank for salmon or one of the other banks I mentioned on your way out. I don't know if the San Juans are any further going that way or not but either way both boat launches are excellent and Discovery Bay is only about 25 minutes east Sequim Bay. Get a map of Sequim Bay harbor as there are some sand bars there to watch out for if you get out of the channel.

Don't bother with the Gardiner Beach launch in Disco Bay its a PITA with a bigger boat and no dock !!

Good Luck, Take lots of pictures and let us know how it goes !!!

[brianmtsinc]

Thanks Robodad!  I appreciate the advice!   

I think I am going to try and launch at the Whyndam Resort.  Thye have a launch that as long as I hit it at hit tide, I should be good. We are staying there and mooring the boat for the week. 

Do you know if there are in crabs in Discovery Bay itself?  I dont need to limit every day, just hoping for somplace close that we can drop pots in the evening and pick up in the morning.

Also, if we fish Dallas Bank, trolling, what do you suggest I use?   

Thanks again!
Brian

[lostbackpacker]

I think I would probably target salmon at Sekiu. 

Earlier posts are correct in about 1 1/2 hrs to SJ islands. 

Be careful, the straits can be nasty and the weather (wind) can come up QUICK.

[brianmtsinc]

Thanks Lostbackpacker.  Again, I Appreciate the advice.  I will be checking weather reports before we go, and will be trying to work the tides as well. 

Are the PINKS in the straights yet? 

[robodad]

Thanks Robodad!  I appreciate the advice!   

I think I am going to try and launch at the Whyndam Resort.  Thye have a launch that as long as I hit it at hit tide, I should be good. We are staying there and mooring the boat for the week. 

Do you know if there are in crabs in Discovery Bay itself?  I dont need to limit every day, just hoping for somplace close that we can drop pots in the evening and pick up in the morning.

Also, if we fish Dallas Bank, trolling, what do you suggest I use?   

Thanks again!
Brian

I didn't realize there was another boat launch so you should be fine, the crabs are thick in disco bay, I have a friend that crabs there and does really well. I would use a green flasher and a coyote spoon for kings seems to not matter what color it is just make sure you have a long leader. There are tons of pinks in the straits and you should be able to catch them anywhere but I recommend using light tackle it just makes it more fun they will bite just about anything !!

[brianmtsinc]

Thanks again robodad!

I am setting up all of my gear now.  How long do you think I should run the leader? 

I will be running 2 downriggers and 1 deep six.

Thinking of running "pink gear" on the deep six ??

[robodad]

Thanks again robodad!

I am setting up all of my gear now.  How long do you think I should run the leader? 

I will be running 2 downriggers and 1 deep six.

Thinking of running "pink gear" on the deep six ??

I'd run about 40" leader, if you don't get any bites try shorter or even longer leader, on the deep 6 I'd run a whole herring on a 6' leader at least for the first several hours in the morning, a big king can surprise you so be ready !! After like 11-12 then switch over to pink gear cause them things will bite almost anything all day and you don't want to be messing with them and miss a chance on a nice king. I've had big coho slam that deep 6 rod with bait too so be ready for anything !!

[brianmtsinc]

Got it!  Rods all set up and tackle box ready to go! 

Will head out and give it my best!  Hopefully some pics next week!

Thanks again for your help!
Brian

[tmike]

Drive 12 miles and try Mid Channel Bank out of Port Townsend, No brainer fishery just go where all the boats are and stay in the 125 foot range.