plunking steelhead

[pilebuck]

Does anyone have info on fishing maps of access on the Washington coast for plunking bars?I was thinking of heading over to fish the rivers there never have yet just wanted to know about spots to plunk thank you 

[pilebuck]

Guess there r no clunkers out here lolll

[RadSav]

I expect there are plenty of secret bell ringers on here.  Effective way to catch steelhead.  I expect most do not want to give up their honey holes.

I do not fish coastal WA.  So I'm not much help.  However, when I want to scout a chosen river I usually hire a guide and take my GPS with me.  When we drift past a good looking piece of water I'll tag the CoOrds.  Then later get a map and see if I can gain access to those spots.  Most will likely be blocked by private property, but if you make enough notes and/or tags you should be able to come up with something promising.

[pilebuck]

Ok thanks I fish alot over west side rivers for steelhead but was wondering more about plunking holes accessible.I know about 3 rivers resort out of forks but don't know if u can plunk there a guide is a good idea but I have had a sled and I am just a old plunker lol I am not a drift fisherman as much anymore just like to drive up to the river and fish no days.I fish doug bar alot here but want to try some of them coastal metalheads thanx for the reply 

[JimmyHoffa]

A few for Forks you could try might be:
Richwine Bar on the Quillayute River
The hole by Leyendecker ramp right before the Bogachiel meets the Sol Duc
Under the bridge off the Quillayute Airport Road on the Sol Duc
Below the Wilson boat launch on the Bogachiel, kind of a walk downstream to some boulders but not a lot to hit
Bogachiel hatchery hole, usually quite a few people there too.
Calawah ponds--park at bogachiel hatchery and walk up the road--there is a large deep pool of slack water right before the river bends and turns to whitewater
Hoh river has a few areas, you can park down at the end of Oil City Rd and walk down the side trail (not the park trail) out to the river.  A few side channels meet the main stem and you should see a big boulder sticking out of the water.  Also can go behind Cottonwood Campground--you can drive down to the river if the water isn't too high.  There is a side channel that can get kind of high.
Best would be to ask at Olympic Sporting Goods in Forks.

[Bullkllr]

Sent you a PM, but looks like Jimmy Hoffa beat me to it.

[_TONY_]

Don't forget GL shake and Allen bar on the Hoh.

[pilebuck]

Thanks all be heading down sun thanks for all the help be fun to fish down there be staying at 3 rivers river looks fishable hopefully stay in shape bringing down my own shrimp in case they r spotty supply now days 

[JimmyHoffa]

Lately I've been hearing most of the better fishing has been in the Sol Duc, but almost all those fish are wild.  It is still about a month before you can keep one.  Calawah has had decent fishing and Bogachiel some fish, but so many more people on the bogachiel that it seems like fewer are catching.  Still haven't heard of much of anything coming in the Hoh.

[pilebuck]

Thanks Hoffa gonna give it a try swanes has shrimp fresh so I swing by and get some on the way  be a good recon trip better than local rivers been lately plus always wanted to fish the coastal rivers... might even get some razors good tides also this week we have fun doing that always thanx all

[BOWHUNTER45]

Normally this BELL RINGER  would be fishing but the river I fish is now so regulated I just quit ...Many many years of catching some of the biggest steelhead known to man has been caught by plunking ...1 to 3 ft off the bank ..Some think this is not fun but if I could take you I could surely prove them wrong ..Nothing better than sitting in a shack with a warm fire blazing and putting your pole in a pole holder with the drag very loose so when the fish hits he is instantly taking drag as your trying to get out of your warm reclining chair 

[RadSav]

Normally this BELL RINGER  would be fishing but the river I fish is now so regulated I just quit ...Many many years of catching some of the biggest steelhead known to man has been caught by plunking ...1 to 3 ft off the bank ..Some think this is not fun but if I could take you I could surely prove them wrong ..Nothing better than sitting in a shack with a warm fire blazing and putting your pole in a pole holder with the drag very loose so when the fish hits he is instantly taking drag as your trying to get out of your warm reclining chair 

After my grandfather retired from the brewery he would pull up on the gravel bar down by the keg stacks.  He'd plunk a few feet off the opposite bank, put the bell on and climb in the warm truck with the dog.  At lunch time the guys he knew who still worked would come down and have lunch with him.  But usually he would catch up on some sleep (must run in the family ).  When the bell would ring the dog would bark.  That would wake him up and he'd run down to reel the fish in.  He hammered a bunch of king sized metalheads fishing that way!

[pilebuck]

Love them stories I remember the old plunking shakes on the Skagit ....I really enjoy the relaxing times we canceled our trip till this storm passes later in the week be better  then the old cow bells will ring and it won't be wind 

[WSU]

I've never spent much time plunking.  I'm curious though: do the fish swallow your offering very often?

[kentrek]

I've never spent much time plunking.  I'm curious though: do the fish swallow your offering very often?

Not for me, I imagine it depends on you set up tho

[Mfowl]

Love them stories I remember the old plunking shakes on the Skagit ....I really enjoy the relaxing times we canceled our trip till this storm passes later in the week be better  then the old cow bells will ring and it won't be wind 

Did this trip happen? How'd you do? I enjoy plunking but I've never done it on the peninsula.

[backyard bucks]

Normally this BELL RINGER  would be fishing but the river I fish is now so regulated I just quit ...Many many years of catching some of the biggest steelhead known to man has been caught by plunking ...1 to 3 ft off the bank ..Some think this is not fun but if I could take you I could surely prove them wrong ..Nothing better than sitting in a shack with a warm fire blazing and putting your pole in a pole holder with the drag very loose so when the fish hits he is instantly taking drag as your trying to get out of your warm reclining chair 

that sounds exactly how I took the biggest one I have to date.. 22.6 many years ago up by Sedro.  my buddy from work took me to a shack that he had fished with his friends for years up there.  my first trip I landed that fish and my buddy was told not to bring me up there again..    great memories

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

I catch 75% of my steelhead every year plunking. I enjoy it. Relaxing with bouts of fury. We catch fish every day. Good bait, and travel lanes= killer steelhead days.