Les Davis Pier - Ruston Way fishing/crabbing

[cwuwildcat]

Who's done it, and what can you catch this time of year?  I'm not looking for squid. I just finished up a two year job in Cali, and have some time on my hands.  I can be down there in minutes, and it doesn't need a boat.  I figure I can toss a crab pot over the side, and fish while I'm waiting, but have no idea what they're catching or what kind of gear to use.

[LongTatLaw]

LD is area 11 not 13... so its not open until july 1st...that said, Its prob worth trying...I will pick up some crabs while scuba diving LD when season opens

[cwuwildcat]

LD is area 11 not 13... so its not open until july 1st...that said, Its prob worth trying...I will pick up some crabs while scuba diving LD when season opens

Not open for crab, fishing, or either?  I was there today with my kids walking the pier, and there were people doing both.  Doesn't mean they were doing in legally, but they didn't seem to be too worried about it, and this was at high noon.

[diegomx3]

its open for fishing but not for crabbing if you head down from the narrows that is MA 13 and is open for crabbing 7 days a week if you have anymore questions on fishing or crabbing either area feel free to ask im always in either area

[LongTatLaw]

Fishing is open...most are trying for Lings...which is a very very low percentage chance from LD...I scuba dive there and I have been know to spear a ling or two...and no one who has ever seen what it looks like down there would ever waste their time trying for lings from that pier or the shore. Now, if ya want some fun...get a longer light weight gear (like my 10 ft bobber rod) and fish for surf perch at high ride on the shore...thats much much higher percentage and fun...just watch for scuba diver bubbles... people dive all over there...one of the most common dive sites in the greater tacoma area!

as for seeing people do it...look in their buckets some time! You will see them keeping rock fish at LD pier...funny thing...there hasnt been a legal way to retain rock fish in the sound for what??  20 years?

Check the regs... crabbing in area 11 isnt open right now...opens I believe July 1st...then you can take reds and dungees there... you can keep surf perch I believe year around...same with flounder/sole...  you can keep lings 3 weeks a year...and never ever keep rock fish of any kind.

if ya see a heavily tattooed scuba diver out there...with a wooden spear w gopro mounted on it....come say hello!

-dave

[cwuwildcat]

Fishing is open...most are trying for Lings...which is a very very low percentage chance from LD...I scuba dive there and I have been know to spear a ling or two...and no one who has ever seen what it looks like down there would ever waste their time trying for lings from that pier or the shore. Now, if ya want some fun...get a longer light weight gear (like my 10 ft bobber rod) and fish for surf perch at high ride on the shore...thats much much higher percentage and fun...just watch for scuba diver bubbles... people dive all over there...one of the most common dive sites in the greater tacoma area!

as for seeing people do it...look in their buckets some time! You will see them keeping rock fish at LD pier...funny thing...there hasnt been a legal way to retain rock fish in the sound for what??  20 years?

Check the regs... crabbing in area 11 isnt open right now...opens I believe July 1st...then you can take reds and dungees there... you can keep surf perch I believe year around...same with flounder/sole...  you can keep lings 3 weeks a year...and never ever keep rock fish of any kind.

if ya see a heavily tattooed scuba diver out there...with a wooden spear w gopro mounted on it....come say hello!

-dave

Thanks for the heads up Longtat and Diegomx3.  Out of season really explains why there wasn't anyone standing right next to the two crab lines I saw.  Talked to one guy that admitted to one, but he wasn't within 6 feet of it, and the only reason he acknowledged it was because one of my boys ran over to it and looked like he was going to mess with it until I shoo'd him away.

Suggestions for bait/gear for the fish? Also, closer to Ruston or Tacoma end for shore fishing? I'd rather try from the shore, as it always seems a little sketchy on that pier.  Kind of get the feeling that I'm the one guy that's not 'in the know' as to whats going on when I'm there.  Kind of that feeling I had with the crab pots today.  I've got the light weight gear with a 9-10 foot pole.  Can even break out a fly rod if needed.

[gasman]

Now Fox Island is a short drive over the bridge and you can crab and fish from the3 concrete pier over there.
Just hit the high tide where the current is not as strong.

[Smossy]

Done it tons of times for years all day all times of the year into the night. Not much to catch but dogfish, ratfish, and starfish.. guys fish for 6gill sharks out there at night. Ive seen them pulled in as big as 13ft no problem. Umm as far as crab go, dont plan on getting any keeper dungys it just aint gonna happen. Not immpossible but its rare. Rock crabs are very abundent and can reach really impressing sizes in there. The best spot is off the far right side of the pier towards the small line of rocks and the restaurants thats right there. Of course once seasons open. If you ever go out there and theres people crabbing make sure to call wdfw and let them know. That stuff erks the crap out of me and all the asians (no offense to anyone) that are out there and barely speak english do it all year and just play dumb. I want to see somem smack down on that stuff because it messes up the local population for when crabs really come in. If you catch any Starfish leave them on the pier to die or stick a knife through them (sounds kinda cruel BUT) they are extremely destructive to the population of most the stuff out there.

[Alchase]

That stuff erks the crap out of me and all the asians (no offense to anyone) that are out there and barely speak english do it all year and just play dumb. I want to see somem smack down on that stuff because it messes up the local population for when crabs really come in. If you catch any Starfish leave them on the pier to die or stick a knife through them (sounds kinda cruel BUT) they are extremely destructive to the population of most the stuff out there.

Smossy, you just hit the nail on the head for the biggest big problem for our fishery in all of Puget Sound!

edited do to slight over exuberance 

In all the years I have fished I have never seen one ticket be handed out to the blatant poachers that fish all the fishing piers through out the sound.
I have seen officers show up and ask for licenses, and when they are not produced, and because of the "limited English" they give them a warning and leave. If you go the the piers often enough you will see the same groups day after day raping our resource, and the enforcement turns a blind eye too it.
 

[LongTatLaw]

Id say they dont take the cake for worst violators in the greater Tacoma area...but thats because Ive recent been scuba diving near LD and swam up on dozens of fully submerged crab traps with zinc corrosion release rings (illegal even for tribe) and the floats unmarked (illegal even for tribe)...and when these illegal pots were brought up by concerned scuba divers found them (releasing all crabs inside) the WA FG came a running to recover these pots and get em back to the tribe without speaking to anyone of the witnesses to the illegal activity...bet theres hundreds of illegally submerged pots out in the sound right now....the ASIANS couldnt compete with the tribes if they tried 20 hrs a day 7 days a week. Not bashing tribe...just stating facts.

[magnanimous_j]

I grew up fishing that pier, squid mainly. I saw a few people catch blackmouth, but I never did. A lot of dogfish though. Those are tasty as fish and chips.

I'm not sure I would eat a crab out of there though. That water is pretty dirty.

[Alchase]

 

Id say they dont take the cake for worst violators in the greater Tacoma area...but thats because Ive recent been scuba diving near LD and swam up on dozens of fully submerged crab traps with zinc corrosion release rings (illegal even for tribe) and the floats unmarked (illegal even for tribe)...and when these illegal pots were brought up by concerned scuba divers found them (releasing all crabs inside) the WA FG came a running to recover these pots and get em back to the tribe without speaking to anyone of the witnesses to the illegal activity...bet theres hundreds of illegally submerged pots out in the sound right now....the ASIANS couldnt compete with the tribes if they tried 20 hrs a day 7 days a week. Not bashing tribe...just stating facts.

You are correct, I fixed it, LOL

[mainer78]

LD is area 11 not 13... so its not open until july 1st...that said, Its prob worth trying...I will pick up some crabs while scuba diving LD when season opens

I would love to scuba diving there and try to grab some tasty treats....IF you ever need a dive buddy let me know.. I am Naui certified and only need enough notice to rent a tank..

[Mudman]

I would not eat anything caught around Ruston.  Smelter ring a bell?   

[Smossy]

I would not eat anything caught around Ruston.  Smelter ring a bell?   

Being as efficient as a crabs filtering system is - I dont think It really matters where its caught.