Bottom Fishing in the Strait?

[couesbitten]

I enjoyed the Westport charter thread, and it got me thinking. I have family in Port Angeles, and I may have to go for a visit, take my wife, kids, and any other family that are interested out bottom fishing. Any recommendations for a boat between Port Townsend and Neah Bay?

[cohoho]

First time was last year out of Port Angeles and Sekui, absolutely love it up there.  Boat size depends upon the day really.  I did five trips  (Salmon mainly) and the water was always decent..  Maybe lucky more like it.  I would talk to Robodad for better information as he lives in PA.  I run a 23ft Wooldridge Off Shore, but should have taken my 22ft TJ out years previously, granted would have gotten beaten up a bit on some of the days with the Thunderjet, but do able in safety regards...

[sirmissalot]

Tommy cod charters does a great job, the knows those waters well. He often runs out of sekiu as long as there isn't an offshore halibut fishery open. The halibut average a bigger side in PA, but there are far less of them, as you go west their numbers increase. The Tommy Cod knows some good holes in sekiu that will get you above average fish for the area, often 30-40 lbs. I know this, because I fish the same holes 

[Moose22]

Check regs, they are pretty tight in the Straights for bottom fish.

[robodad]

Check regs, they are pretty tight in the Straights for bottom fish.

Yeah bottom fishing in the straits is a disappointment, you only get 1 ling cod in a 10" slot limit and Rockfish is CLOSED almost everywhere, part of area 5 you can keep only the first one you catch, the other part you have to keep the first 3 so it isn't really worth all the work getting all geared up for it and the clean up after. Better off heading to the coast if you want some bottom fish if you can find a decent weather window