New fisher looking to catch some pinks this year

[Kumacub]

I live in Marysville and I was hoping to fish off the coast in Mukilteo for some pinks this year. I am looking for any resources on what I need, fishing gear, poles, lures, etc. What would a complete newcomer need to know to be successful this year? What are some good shops to look at? Any and all advice would be awesome. Thanks all.

[Born2late]

Get some pink rotators or buzzbombs for lures. You can catch them pretty easy with those usually.

[blackpowderhunter]

if the run is as expected this year....
throw anything in the water with a hook on one end and a line on the other end attached to your rod and reel and you should be catching pinks.
on a more serious note, and i know more experienced shore anglers will chime in, but..
tossing pink buzz bombs out with any medium action spinning rod will get you in the game.
this years run is expected to be pretty phenomenal so shouldnt have any issue finding them.
good luck!
you're in the everett area. go into johns sporting goods...theyll set you up

[CP]

[Dan-o]

The video CP posted will definitely get you there. 

Pink Buzz bombs all the way.   

I liken them in the size shown in CP's video.   

[wadu1]

Down south I use Pearl Blue with a red Gamakatsu Octopus Hook.

[Karl Blanchard]

I gotta kill some pinks this year. My son has been hounding me for a few years to catch some salmon. Ive been a bad dad

[Dan-o]

I gotta kill some pinks this year. My son has been hounding me for a few years to catch some salmon. Ive been a bad dad

Yeah, you really need to get your kids outdoors, Karl.     

[Karl Blanchard]

I gotta kill some pinks this year. My son has been hounding me for a few years to catch some salmon. Ive been a bad dad

Yeah, you really need to get your kids outdoors, Karl.     

Trust me, my son reminds me daily. In his defense, I really was a terrible father last summer. He only got to go fishing like 2 times. But in my defense, I invited him scouting and bass fishing lots, he just didn't want to go for some reason after his first trip to the desert

[cavemann]

That's because bass fishing vs salmon is like hunting blacktails for you vs mulies..  geez Karl, step up your dad game and get a kid on the water.....

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

[ASHQUACK]

I gotta kill some pinks this year. My son has been hounding me for a few years to catch some salmon. Ive been a bad dad

Come spend a weekend with me on the canal in late July. I'll get you and your kid on some pinks.

[Boss .300 winmag]

I gotta kill some pinks this year. My son has been hounding me for a few years to catch some salmon. Ive been a bad dad

Yeah, you really need to get your kids outdoors, Karl.     

Yeah Carl quite chasing elk and spend some time taking the kids salmon fishing, elk are overrated compared to salmon.

[RB]

I live in Marysville and I was hoping to fish off the coast in Mukilteo for some pinks this year. I am looking for any resources on what I need, fishing gear, poles, lures, etc. What would a complete newcomer need to know to be successful this year? What are some good shops to look at? Any and all advice would be awesome. Thanks all.

As already stated John's in Everett is the best place for Puget Sound Salmon advice. Two lures that have worked good for me, Fisherman's Gold Pink head/Pink Body 3/8 ounce jig. Johns had a box full of them a few weeks ago so if you want them get there soon. Also, Wicked Lures "King Killer"  Pink-Pink 6 by far was the best spinner ever for the last two runs (2021, 2023) trolled behind the boat at Humpy Hollow, absolutely out fished anything else! Get to Johns now and beat the rush, and be ready for the swarm of Humpy's coming tis year! Best of luck

[Stein]

If it's like two years ago just put something with a hook on it, toss it out and you will catch a pink.  A trout rod will work, a salmon rod is better if you want to make quicker work of it.  If I was going from shore, I would get a medium weight longish spinning rod with 20# line and a spoon, spinner or jig.  Casting longer could be helpful.  Go to Muk or the south side of Whidbey and just watch the other people catching them.  Later on you can nab them at Kayak county park as well.

Most guys wade out and the water will be pretty cold if you own waders.

As mentioned, John's in Everett will hook you up with everything and answer any questions, Connor's a really good guy.

[Gentrys]

Any of you guys want to learn how to fish Pinks on the Puyallup this year, let me know.  I'll be down there plenty.  Yes it's combat fishing, but there are places to fish where you'll have some elbow room.  Pink fishing is a great opportunity to introduce kids to salmon fishing on the river.  When my daughter was 10yo, she caught 8 on her first time out.  I'm happy to teach your kiddos also.  I will ask you to bring your own gear though.  I've had a couple of my rods broken by kids learning to river fish and that gets expensive.
Historically, there's about a 2 week window on the Puyallup when the fish will be so thick that it's easy fishing.

[mboyle0828]

Any of you guys want to learn how to fish Pinks on the Puyallup this year, let me know.  I'll be down there plenty.  Yes it's combat fishing, but there are places to fish where you'll have some elbow room.  Pink fishing is a great opportunity to introduce kids to salmon fishing on the river.  When my daughter was 10yo, she caught 8 on her first time out.  I'm happy to teach your kiddos also.  I will ask you to bring your own gear though.  I've had a couple of my rods broken by kids learning to river fish and that gets expensive.
Historically, there's about a 2 week window on the Puyallup when the fish will be so thick that it's easy fishing.

I’ve fished for kings in the Puyallup. They weren’t in good shape when I caught them. How are the pinks? Are they edible when they get into the river?

Great offer btw!

[metlhead]

Is there any boat restriction on the Puyallup? Lotsa spots down low with zero bank access look to an enjoyable way to anchor and really put the hurt to em.

[mboyle0828]

Is there any boat restriction on the Puyallup? Lotsa spots down low with zero bank access look to an enjoyable way to anchor and really put the hurt to em.

The only boats I’ve seen on the Puyallup were the Natives while they were setting their nets.

[hookr88]

Just read WDFW’s blog on the upcoming salmon season. Despite an expected large return of pinks allowing for a 2 pink bonus, area 8-2 will be closed for pink retention. Supposedly it’s because of expected low returns to the Stillaguamish. I guess I just don’t understand how restricting retention in 8-2 will help. I think most of the fishing pink is between Mukilteo and the Shipwreck.

[Bullkllr]

Is there any boat restriction on the Puyallup? Lotsa spots down low with zero bank access look to an enjoyable way to anchor and really put the hurt to em.

Pretty sure there are no actual restrictions. it is done a bit. We used to float it all the time. You would have to target the very lower end to avoid the bank fisher gauntlet. There is a launch very low that doesn't get used much.

[Alchase]

Is there any boat restriction on the Puyallup? Lotsa spots down low with zero bank access look to an enjoyable way to anchor and really put the hurt to em.

Pretty sure there are no actual restrictions. it is done a bit. We used to float it all the time. You would have to target the very lower end to avoid the bank fisher gauntlet. There is a launch very low that doesn't get used much.

You would be hung-up on the hundreds of fishermen Flossing

Any of you guys want to learn how to fish Pinks on the Puyallup this year, let me know.  I'll be down there plenty.  Yes it's combat fishing, but there are places to fish where you'll have some elbow room.  Pink fishing is a great opportunity to introduce kids to salmon fishing on the river.  When my daughter was 10yo, she caught 8 on her first time out.  I'm happy to teach your kiddos also.  I will ask you to bring your own gear though.  I've had a couple of my rods broken by kids learning to river fish and that gets expensive.
Historically, there's about a 2 week window on the Puyallup when the fish will be so thick that it's easy fishing.

I’ve fished for kings in the Puyallup. They weren’t in good shape when I caught them. How are the pinks? Are they edible when they get into the river?

Great offer btw!

They are bright on their way up to the Hatchery, it is after the hatchery gets full and they close the Hatchery gates. Then all the zombies start floating back down stream. They will start spawning in the shallows. They can be pretty nasty! I have been amazed at people who take home pinks that are so dark it looks like their skin is going to just fall right off 

[Bullkllr]

Is there any boat restriction on the Puyallup? Lotsa spots down low with zero bank access look to an enjoyable way to anchor and really put the hurt to em.

Pretty sure there are no actual restrictions. it is done a bit. We used to float it all the time. You would have to target the very lower end to avoid the bank fisher gauntlet. There is a launch very low that doesn't get used much.

You would be hung-up on the hundreds of fishermen Flossing

Well yeah. I wouldn't even consider boating through or around the hordes, there would be no point except misery. But there are some areas that are somewhat inaccessible from the bank on the very lower end that could be worth checking out from a boat.

[metlhead]

Kinda what I was thinking as far as avoiding bank anglers

[WSU]

I’ve never fished the Puyallup and avoid those kind of flossing situations like the plague. Is there enough clarity you could catch fish other than flossing?

[CP]

Good luck boating through the "bank" anglers.

[freshgrease]

I’ve never fished the Puyallup and avoid those kind of flossing situations like the plague. Is there enough clarity you could catch fish other than flossing?

Not really.

Your fingers are invisible by the time your knuckles hit the water. There was one very clear day me and the buddy went out and absolutely slammed coho floating eggs but it felt like a fever dream being able to see through the water.

[actionshooter]

I'm going to be taking a swing at it this year on the south end... have no idea where but I'll be trying it near Nisqually somewhere from the boat.

[ASHQUACK]

As for boating the Puyallup. A buddy and I took my sled up the river after launching at Pt D. We ran a bit up the river and fished alone, absolutely no bank guys. All was fine until we came back out of the river into the salt. We were met by WDFW and given a warning about being in a closed/restricted area. Something to do with port operations. I will say the fishing was fantastic. We landed many many fish that day.