Back in business

[Thenewguy]

Hey all,

I just struck a deal to take a Duckworth 20 footer off of Cabela’s hands. About a year ago I moved back to the west side from Montana and sold my boats. To say I am excited to get back in the game is an understatement.

This being said I am looking for advice. Currently I am arming this boat with a Garmin echomap 94sv (9inch with blue water map) and a couple of Scotty downriggers. I have most of the rods/reels and terminal gear needed to get rocking. What is a must have for you on your boat?

Also, while I have some experience fishing for blackmouth and on the Columbia, I need to learn halibut and some new areas. If anyone is interested in coming out with me to help me learn the ropes, fuel and lunch is on me!

I will post pictures once I get the boat home. Thanks.

[atfulldraw]

Here are 2 websites that really helped me. https://www.leeroysramblings.com/Salwtater%20Fishing%20Articles/Saltwater%20fishing%20articles.html
https://a.atmos.washington.edu/data/marine_report.html

[Thenewguy]

I have been reading through, thanks for the recommendation.

[pashok23]

Why would you move here from MT. I wana move back there

[Skyvalhunter]

I think I would move back to MT

[Thenewguy]

I miss it a lot. My Dad is sick and we just had our first child. Being close to family matters. Even if it means putting up with some more B.S.

[Crunchy]

If you are looking for halibut Neah Bay, La Push, and West Port are your best bets.  Neah Bay is the longest drive but probably easiest to find a halibut within a few miles of the launch even if you are not familiar with the water.  Just go out, drop gear and give it a shot.  If nothing, move a mile or so and try again.  I love halibut but hate the stupid seasons we have and pretty much given up on trying to fish for them.  Westport you are going to need some numbers to get you started.  Might be able to find those on salmon university website.  They at one time had a lot of numbers for spots.

[Stein]

If you have a 20' boat with downriggers, you sound pretty set up for salmon assuming you have a kicker.  For halibut, get a good hook, 20' or more of chain and as much rope as you can afford and want to store.  Then, plan on using it a day or two a year, it's the curse of WA.  We have great opportunities, but many are ridiculously limited.  With 20', you can chase seasons around if you have the time and gas budget.

[blackpowderhunter]

where abouts do you live now and where are you looking to fish?
shoot me a PM and ill help with what i can areas wise, or make a trip out with you this summer if possible 
youll love the garmin.. im running a gpsmap 942xs on my boat, leaps and bounds nicer than my older lowrance unit.
must haves...i try and keep it simple on the boat, more crap means more clutter means more 
one thing i upgraded to and LOVE for salmon, is a nice big rubberized beckman net with the longgg handle.
youll have to release a lot of salmon (wilds) in the sound, so a nice rubberized net is easier on the fish.
another small modification is running some sort of LED strip lights on the bottom side of the gunwale.  they're cheap(10 bucks on amazon), easy to install, and are great for getting gear set up early mornings.

[Thenewguy]

Thank you for the great comments. I live in the foothills outside Snohomish. I do have a kicker. A lot of my experience is in big rivers, Yellowstone, Missouri and Columbia to name a few.

What do you all use for tackle storage? I am thinking a bunch of plastic bins in a waterproof bag.

[Alchase]

This thread is useless without pics!

Congratulations!

[Thenewguy]

Is it possible to post photos from a cell phone?

Getting out tomorrow for the first fishing endeavor. Launching in Everett, the. Heading to possession. I checked out the marine forecast for wind based waves- not too bad at 2ft. Tide is 5:50 and we are leaving at 4. Should be able to catch the change then fish through low. Anything else I need to check? I know wind is only one factor in waves, is there another good place to pay attention to?

If it’s nasty, I think I will audible to Lake Stevens. My boat in 20feet with an offshore bracket (22ft total), 30 degreee deadrise, 34 inch sides and a hard top. I was out on the lake in wind Wednesday breaking in the engines.

Thanks for all your support.

[Knocker of rocks]

Is it possible to post photos from a cell phone?

It is easy to post photos from a phone as an attachment

[Thenewguy]

Updated with pictures. Hitting possession tomorrow- any resources besides NOAA you use to check wave size/duration before you go?

[Bango skank]

Updated with pictures. Hitting possession tomorrow- any resources besides NOAA you use to check wave size/duration before you go?

Windy ty is a handy app