2021, Pink Salmon, Timing Question

[Bareback]

On the west side of Whidbey I'd have to say the last week. There’s still plenty of fish to get your pink fix in and it’s the front end of coho. I much prefer a 2+2 limit instead of four humpies. Crowds seem to fizzle out by then too.

[fishngamereaper]

If you guys are following north of falcon as of right now there are no bonus pinks penciled into the regs...2 fish limits... which is stupid...

I'm going to do everything I can to avoid pinks unless they give us the bonus.

[Jonathan_S]

@Karl Blanchard requires a professional handler and I'll be "willing" to keep him out of trouble if it comes down to it.

Boy you guys are easy to please..

I'm glad no one is looking to hitch a ride for Chinook....

As a bonafide flatlander since 2003, I'm reeeeeeal easy to please  I was able to catch pinks from the bulkhead at my grandparent's place but it's been a long time.

[Stein]

Yeah, pinks are the one bright spot in the salmon fishery and they can't even let that good news through for a bonus limit.  The limit of 2 pinks when several million are coming back is pretty hard to argue the department is going to bat, but we all pretty much knew that before this anyway.

[fishngamereaper]

@Karl Blanchard requires a professional handler and I'll be "willing" to keep him out of trouble if it comes down to it.

Boy you guys are easy to please..

I'm glad no one is looking to hitch a ride for Chinook....

As a bonafide flatlander since 2003, I'm reeeeeeal easy to please  I was able to catch pinks from the bulkhead at my grandparent's place but it's been a long time.

You east side guys need handler's...geez. good to know.

 

[Karl Blanchard]

If Jon is my handler and is supposed to keep me out of trouble we are doomed 

[DryFlyGuy]

I've got a camping spot at Deception Pass from August 9th-13.  My son and I will be fishing from shore or our kayak for pinks.  Are we going to be disappointed?

[7mmfan]

I've got a camping spot at Deception Pass from August 9th-13.  My son and I will be fishing from shore or our kayak for pinks.  Are we going to be disappointed?

If you don't find them at the Pass, which you should, head down the Island a bit to Fort Casey. You will find them there.

Also, be careful fishing in your Kayaks at Deception Pass. You are probably aware, but it gets to absolutely ripping there, with big whirl pools and suckers. Not a friendly place for kayaks. Take it just around West Point and to the south and it's much friendlier and I'm sure there will be plenty of fish along that section.

[WAcoueshunter]

I've got a camping spot at Deception Pass from August 9th-13.  My son and I will be fishing from shore or our kayak for pinks.  Are we going to be disappointed?

It should be loaded by then.

[blackpowderhunter]

I've got a camping spot at Deception Pass from August 9th-13.  My son and I will be fishing from shore or our kayak for pinks.  Are we going to be disappointed?

If you don't find them at the Pass, which you should, head down the Island a bit to Fort Casey. You will find them there.

Also, be careful fishing in your Kayaks at Deception Pass. You are probably aware, but it gets to absolutely ripping there, with big whirl pools and suckers. Not a friendly place for kayaks. Take it just around West Point and to the south and it's much friendlier and I'm sure there will be plenty of fish along that section.

running through there the backend of my 23 ft'r gets squirrely sometimes.

[samsqatch]

Any of you maybe know the best time for 5? I was thinking first week August by what Ive been reading here.

[The Fin]

They have already caught some in area 10 fishing for Coho.

[SteelheadTed]

any area 11 guys on here for pinks??  I have same thing, son and his buddies coming in Aug 14-17..  Was going to hit river but saltwater pinks might be fun for them for something different.

You'll be in them thick during those dates.  If you have the option, I would concentrate on the salt.  They are in better shape and you don't have to fish in crowds.  Cruise the beaches above Dash Point and on the Vashon side.  They will hang out close to shore and you can spot them porpoising and splashing around.  We jig for them almost exclusively (3/8" to 1/2" jigs) and it is often sight fishing.  So much fun.  No need to troll for them.  When I show people how we fish for them they are always surprised.  It is not a typical salt water technique.

[Mtnwalker]

any area 11 guys on here for pinks??  I have same thing, son and his buddies coming in Aug 14-17..  Was going to hit river but saltwater pinks might be fun for them for something different.

You'll be in them thick during those dates.  If you have the option, I would concentrate on the salt.  They are in better shape and you don't have to fish in crowds.  Cruise the beaches above Dash Point and on the Vashon side.  They will hang out close to shore and you can spot them porpoising and splashing around.  We jig for them almost exclusively (3/8" to 1/2" jigs) and it is often sight fishing.  So much fun.  No need to troll for them.  When I show people how we fish for them they are always surprised.  It is not a typical salt water technique.

Now that sounds like fun. Trolling for em can be a bit underwhelming

[WSU]

I fished for them 2 years ago for the first time in a decade or two.  Prior that I had just trolled.  I caught them in 2019 sight fishing and twitching jigs.  Way more fun and it seems more effective too.