Need Westport charter recommendation on Rock fish & Ling cod

[dunejunkie]

Looking to book a charter trip out of Westport in early April for Rockfish/Ling cod.

Have any suggestions on a good outfit before I blindly pick a charter?

Thanks,

[C-Money]

Go out on the Hula Girl! Great boat & crew. You will have a blast! I took the advise from a post like this a few years ago on Hunt WA, always try to book on that boat from now on!

[rb2506]

I agree, hula girl

[buckhorn2]

The two best boats for bottomfish here are 1. the slammer ran by Rhett weber and 2. Hula Girl Steve Westrick both are great with there fisherman and know where the big lings live. Also both boats are top of the line.

[Buckslaya]

One more for Hula...

[awallfishnhunt]

i would go with the Ms.magoo Capt. Dave McGowen has been fishing out of westport for thirty plus years. www.msmagoocharters.com 

[dunejunkie]

Thanks for the advise.
 I emailed them to check if we can get on the Hula in early April.
Taking my 9yr old boy out for his first trip on the Ocean.

How is fishing for Rockfish/lingcod in early April?

[C-Money]

Should be great! The big lings are still "shallow". Wish I could go!

[Skillet]

Another Hula Girl vote here.  Also check out Playboy Too if Hula Girl is filled up. 

[sirmissalot]

The captain of the playboy too is an awesome guy, but his boat isn't exactly the nicest in the fleet, he will definitely get you on the fish though. The Ms Magoo is my favorite boat in westport, its by far the cleanest and most up to date vessel. Other than that the Hula girl is good, and the slammer is great, they know some really good ling holes and usually have a pretty cool crew onboard. Bottomfishing in April is always good, but the weather usually isn't, be prepared for lots of pukers and talk to the doctor about perscription motion sickness for your son, it will make it a much more enjoyable trip for both of you.

[baldopepper]

Can't put enough emphasis on the sea sick part, regardless of who you go out with.  Remember, those boats don't come back in when someone gets sea sick and there's nothing worse than being out for 8 hours and watching a loved one wish they could die!!! Westport trips, particularily bottom fishing are the worst in the world for getting sea sick.  Hate to say it, but unless you're sure your son doesnt get it, I'd really recommend taking a shorter trip out before doing it. Not trying to discourage you, but I used to take out charters and watched many parents go through hell when their children begged them to go back to shore.

[baldopepper]

oops-for some reason I thought you were taking your son, sea sick warning still applies, but I guess only to you.  I'm really sensitive to taking small kids out on Westport charters and must have read into your post that wasnt there.

[Ripper]

I booked a trip on the Slammer on April 1 . Then I heard about the weather conditions and switched it to May 27. My GF gets seasick real easy, so I didn't want her to hate me for taking her out.

[blacktail luv]

We bottom fished out of west port last spring.  I took my then 7 year old out and he had a blast.  I think we went in June though, so the weather was a bit better.  Make sure to get the prescription motion sickness stuff and throw a patch on you and your boy for good measure.  Have fun! 

[longknife]

I booked a trip on the Slammer on April 1 . Then I heard about the weather conditions and switched it to May 27. My GF gets seasick real easy, so I didn't want her to hate me for taking her out.

 

It sure makes a long day when they take you to a halibut hole, and turn around to get lead from the dock!