Hali

[Stein]

Outdoor line thinks it will open on the inside on May 14th with a 4 day season.  Unfortunately it's a month later than it was supposed to be, so I'll probably be choosing lings, anyone think they will still be around by then?  In my limited experience, by the beginning of May it's about a 1/3 chance for me to find one, so 2 weeks after that isn't sounding promising.

[Crunchy]

Talking about big water, or fishing inside the straits?  If big water, weather should be better and they should be plenty of fish. If inside, it depends on what the natives have been doing. 

[Mfowl]

I won't be out if they open it but I would think fish will be caught out of Port Angeles at that time. I personally have never done well in the far eastern strait/area 6 anyway. I tend to avoid it even in a regular year. 

[fishngamereaper]

Tribe's have been getting fish..

With that said middle of May is tail end of decent fishing in the straights. They migrate out on April. Still some fish around buy not in numbers. If we get a season on the 14th go as far west as legal..

As for the ocean I bet we won't see an ocean season until late summer.

[gasman]

Coastal seas is projected to be in August and September.

Had a charter plans for Thursday this week but it ain't happening.

Thought about going after some PS lings, but big tides this week 

[Stein]

Talking about big water, or fishing inside the straits?  If big water, weather should be better and they should be plenty of fish. If inside, it depends on what the natives have been doing.

Word is that only 6 through the sound will open.

My current plan is to whack some 8 inchers on Tuesday and then lings later in the week when the tides cooperate.

[fishngamereaper]

Talking about big water, or fishing inside the straits?  If big water, weather should be better and they should be plenty of fish. If inside, it depends on what the natives have been doing.

Word is that only 6 through the sound will open.

My current plan is to whack some 8 inchers on Tuesday and then lings later in the week when the tides cooperate.

Actually 5-10 should get the nod, but we will see. Its only closed right now, according to source's because wdfw has no fish checkers..

The reasons the coast won't open is because the tribe's aren't opening up to the public and the charters don't want to guide halibut during salmon season.. that's why the coast is slated for late summer.

[Stein]

The state seemed to have zero problem finding people to monitor the commercial fleet during the worst part of the virus, seems like they could find people to monitor halibut.  Shrimp is maybe 2 weeks away and they haven't even announced the dates yet.  It's not like they haven't had time to think about this stuff, we've been closed for what, 6-7 weeks?

[fishngamereaper]

The state seemed to have zero problem finding people to monitor the commercial fleet during the worst part of the virus, seems like they could find people to monitor halibut.  Shrimp is maybe 2 weeks away and they haven't even announced the dates yet.  It's not like they haven't had time to think about this stuff, we've been closed for what, 6-7 weeks?

Totally agree... don't hate the messanger, hate the message.

[Stein]

No, frustration is not directed at people on the boards here for sure.  They always seem to have a slew of reasons why they can't get stuff done. 

[MADMAX]

Bought all licenses and tags and punch cards today
Noticed no choice to request a halibut punchcard
Called WDFW
Lady said check back after June 1 to purchase one.
I said purchase one ?
She said yes they are $5 dollars now to cover the cost of monitoring/checkers etc
Love this money grabbing state

[fishngamereaper]

Bought all licenses and tags and punch cards today
Noticed no choice to request a halibut punchcard
Called WDFW
Lady said check back after June 1 to purchase one.
I said purchase one ?
She said yes they are $5 dollars now to cover the cost of monitoring/checkers etc
Love this money grabbing state

Go to Sportsmans and get one. They are selling them in person but not online for some reason. They went to the pay for it option a couple years ago to keep better track of catch rates. Printing one off for everyone even though they don't use it skewed the numbers because it shows they sold X amount when only half of X actually fishes halibut. I don't mind it if it gets us better accountability for numbers and gives us longer seasons in the long run.

[MADMAX]

Thanks I’ll do that

[NorseNW]

So was this just a guess from the Outdoor line folks?  Rum-int (rumor intelligence)?  The only difference it makes to my trip next week is I was kind of looking forward to it not being busy since halibut is shutdown at this point.  I'm guessing if they open it will be a zoo.

[Stein]

Yeah, apparently there are conference calls some recs get to join and keep us informed as WDFW doesn’t.

Similar rumors on Bloody Decks and other places.


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