Saltwater steelhead

[jeepster]

Has anybody been out yet this year for saltwater steelhead? I haven't heard much... Kinda a niche fishery....

What about you guys? Anybody hear any reports from bush point, lagoon, or deception?

[sumbeech66]

tagging.

Just read this article. pretty informative in my opinion. Don't hear many people talk about Saltwater steelhead. im excited to see what people have to say about it here!   


http://www.washingtonlakes.com/ReadArticle.aspx?id=271

[jeepster]

Yeah fort Casey is good too, basically anywhere on the west side of whidbey that has tide rips.... Like I said, it's really a niche fishery...

[steelheadless]

How do you target steelhead in the salt? I have seen a few caught out of westport
on silver trips. just curious..

[jeepster]

You get them by fishing beaches, shallow tide rips, or big flat gravel bars

Whidbey is a good spot, anywhere on the western side, kitsap can be good for cuts so I'd imagine it might work too

Flies can be crack, but I usually use a 10.5 foot super slow action rod, bait caster, 15lbs test and a 3/4 oz slinky with about a 30 inch leader, a 50/50 small spin n glow and a yellow splatter back or sunrise mini hoochie, cast and retrieve along the edges of tide rips, I'd imagine sand shrimp might work too, but I can never get them to stay on long enough.... It's the fishing I do to stay sane in the winter.... Can't afford to drive to the river

Nobody ever bothers with salty steelies, I've only seen a handful of guys doing it in my life.....good fun when they hit... Been wondering who else goes after em.... Getting to be that time of year

[steelheadless]

so pretty much like fishing the cutts from the beach?  just hope a a steelie bites instead?
sounds like fun, been thinking about taking up the fly fishing again, if silvers and steelhead might
be had from the beach could well be worth it.

[jeepster]

Give the flyshop dude in port Townsend a call.... He is 110% in the know

[Come Get Some]

We caught a 22 lb steelhead last year out of westport. It bit a swim bait at 6.5 knts and jumped 4 ft out of the water. Someone yelled "It's a tarpon" we were 60 miles off shore fishing for tuna. It was a hatchery fish MMMM tasted so good. One of my fisherman was my deckhand (My Son) he happened to have a steelhead punch card.

[steelheadless]

We were on a bottom fish trip guy
Was reeling in and got hammered
By one. I think he had to release it
if i remember

[Angus]

I've had 2 clients in Alaska catch a couple, both on mooched herring while salmon fishing.