Hooks for shore fishing salmon

[magnanimous_j]

I got a couple free mornings this weekend and I'm going to head out to golden gardens and try my luck at shore casting. I got a few assorted buzzbombs and minnow lures. Due to Big 5's abysmal selection, I was limited to some Mono 15lb and Gamakatsu Barbless 2/0 octopus hooks. My rig is a virgin Penn spinfisher V 3500 paired with a Shimano Clarus 9' moderate action rod.

My question is are the hooks and line a decent choice? If not, I can make time to go to a proper sporting goods store, but if these will work, I'll try them out. But I don't want to waste my time if they are wholly unsuited to the task.

Also, is anyone else going to be there? I'd love to have a cup of coffee with some fellow HuntWa members? I'm thinking 7am till 11-ish.

[Mfowl]

July 1st to August 31st salmon fishing is closed inside of a line from Meadow Pt to West Pt. I am not seeing in the regs where it excludes shore fishing. You might check into the Elliott Bay/Seacrest fishing pier. Even though Elliott Bay is closed to boat angling the fishing pier is still open for salmon retention. Chinook min size 22", limit 2 until 8/1, no unmarked release. I personally haven't fished off the Seacrest Pier but I know that fish do get caught there. You have the right idea, casting darts/buss bombs. The trouble is having a way to land one. Guys there have nets dangling from long ropes that they lower off the pier then guide the salmon in and raise it up to the railing. Good luck! Hope it works out! Let us know.

[magnanimous_j]

July 1st to August 31st salmon fishing is closed inside of a line from Meadow Pt to West Pt. I am not seeing in the regs where it excludes shore fishing. You might check into the Elliott Bay/Seacrest fishing pier. Even though Elliott Bay is closed to boat angling the fishing pier is still open for salmon retention. Chinook min size 22", limit 2 until 8/1, no unmarked release. I personally haven't fished off the Seacrest Pier but I know that fish do get caught there. You have the right idea, casting darts/buss bombs. The trouble is having a way to land one. Guys there have nets dangling from long ropes that they lower off the pier then guide the salmon in and raise it up to the railing. Good luck! Hope it works out! Let us know.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that Golden Gardens is directly north of the line and therefore just outside the shilshole bay closure. That's certainly what the map in the regs make it seem.

[Mfowl]

You may be correct, I don't know exactly. Regs say Meadow Pt. I thought the only accessible beach front was on the south side of Meadow Pt.

[Mfowl]

It looks like your right, you could access beach front north of Meadow Pt. My mistake! Enjoy!

[magnanimous_j]

It looks like your right, you could access beach front north of Meadow Pt. My mistake! Enjoy!

No worries, better safe than fined. But what do you think about using 2/0 hooks? I'm used to using the treble hooks that come with the buzz bombs, and these things seem freaking huge.

[Mfowl]

A 2/0 octopus style hook seems a bit small to me, especially if being used on a weighted lure like a buzzbomb or a dart. A 2/0 siwash hook might be a better fit. I just posted on another thread that I prefer to use the sickle style siwash hooks when I fish in saltwater for salmon I've found them to stay intact when fighting a fish with barbless hooks as they have a slight curve to the tip. When I use a mooching rig with octopus style hooks I usually run a 3/0-4/0 setup. However my experience comes from downrigger fishing with flashers/spoons and cutplugs. Perhaps a smaller hook will be more snag resistant for shore casting.

[magnanimous_j]

Walked down to the Ballard Locks last night. There are plenty of fat looking fish swimming up those ladders. Can’t wait!