![[thumbsup]](./images/smilies/msp_thumbsup.gif "ThumbsUp"){kind=small}
Bay wolf wrote:Neah is very different for everybody... The time of year, the type and size of boat, weather, and of course, the type of fish your after. In general:
Bottom fish. this of course does not include Halibut. Lings are set on season (consult your regs). A good place to start is right out the harbor entrance. This area is overlooked a lot as guys head out for other areas, but there is a nice little ledge on the right side that has been known to hold a fatty or two. Jigs and lead heads' with large curly tails will work nicely. But sending a fresh kelp greenling down is like candy!!
Black sea bass. For a change in pace (and some great fun) try trolling for these guys. Yup, I said trolling. Very simply, through a plastic worm, or swimmer bait (minnow imitation) out the back a good distance with a 1/2 oz weight and troll along the kelp line. It is a hoot and those buggers slam the heck outta the bait. A lot of fun and you don't have to keep casting or jigging for them. Just sit back and relax. That's if you can make it back to your seat before they smash your line!
For Kings all I can say is "Swiftsure Bank". If you have the boat for it and the weather and water permit, in July the action is smoking hot! Spoons work just fine. No need to take herring. Anywhere from 50 to 100 ft. Last year, I could only get one downrigger set at a time. By the time I went to get the second one ready, the first went off. Four big fat fish in under 30 minutes. If you can't make it out to the Bank, then fish out front in 200+ feet. Hunt around a bit with your FF and find the bait and the depth. Spoons, hoochies will work, but put a herring strip on them. Cut plug of course will be effective. The kings will "turn-on" at different times, so don't get discouraged. Stay on it, they will hit!
I know this is VERY general, but I could go on and on. Neah is a very fun fishery but it can be really weather and water dependent. Go, explore and have fun!
Larry3215 wrote:If the water is smooth enough for you to go 30, then your boat will be fine - unless it turns nasty while you are out there. Its maybe a 17- 18 mile run to the US edge of swiftsure.
Ive only made the run out twice for halibut. Once in an 18 ft boat on a glass smooth day. Piece of cake.
The next time we had a much larger and more capable boat - a 23ft GlassPly cudy. The day started out just a bit lumpy but no big deal. Cruise speeds were much lower the closer we got to the bank than the first time so it took us most of an hour to get there. By the time we got setup and down it was getting pretty darn rough. By the time we decided it was actually getting risky - we barely got settled down after dropping our rigs - it took us almost 2 hours to get back and we all needed clean underwear.
So the answer as far as your boat - on a good day sure - if you're sure its going to STAY a good day.
Make sure you know the rules and dont drift into Canadian waters unless you have the proper license. They dont take that nicely.
Now that Ive tried to scare you off - its a blast when its good weather
You have plenty of boat to hit Swiftsure. I've done it in exactly the same setup. Obviously you want to watch the weather and make sure you're on your A game. That said, There's equally as good fishing in a lot closer and you don't need to worry about drifting over the line which will get you a nasty ticket or impoundment. I would also not think about 30mph, that's going to be a bit punishing. I'd be planning more along the lines of 15 to 20 mph for any cruising on the outside.For Reel wrote:Wolf,
I have heard a little about Swiftsure over the years. My boat is a 20' Trophy with a 1993 175 Mercury 2 stroke and a new kicker. My Boat is mechanically sound I keep up on all maintenance. Would you consider this "enough boat" for getting out to Swiftsure Bank? Also, on an average day how long of a run is it to the bank, lets say doing 30 MPH?
X2 from me. And watch the line if you don't have a CN license. There is always a couple Canadian Coast Guard boats out there checking US boats that stray. Canada is a foreign country, treat it as such!BARCHASER wrote:Used to be that you could get a Canuck license on line. But that was changed 10-12 years ago to make it so that you had to appear in person to get a Canadian license at least in the area around Swiftsure and La Peruse bank. From the Canadian viewpoint, charters in Neah were lining up US guys to buy a Canadian license on line to fish Canadian waters and they thought their waters were getting over fished by US guys. The Canadians were getting no benefit out of it since the US guys were using Neah charters and facilities. So they made it much harder to get a Canadian license, no more internet sales.
You never know though, that could have changed again back to the way it used to be. If you do get a Canadian license you have to follow their rules and they have gotten more picky in the last few years.
I would start with one of the fishing hotspot maps. I've caught big kings right outside the harbor, all the way out past Tatoosh. Have fun and be safe.For Reel wrote:Bodo and Barchaser,
Thanks for the replies. I for sure want to get up there and fish. Not sure about the Swiftsure thing at this point. Probably just play things by year. But, I really want a shot at catching some sizable legal fish.
![[thumbup]](./images/smilies/msp_thumbup.gif "ThumpUp"){kind=small}
Bodofish wrote:I would start with one of the fishing hotspot maps. I've caught big kings right outside the harbor, all the way out past Tatoosh. Have fun and be safe.For Reel wrote:Bodo and Barchaser,
Thanks for the replies. I for sure want to get up there and fish. Not sure about the Swiftsure thing at this point. Probably just play things by year. But, I really want a shot at catching some sizable legal fish.
From mushroom rocks around the corner @ Tatoosh is my favorite area to hit kings. And if you want, casting rubber jigs for black bass.Larry3215 wrote:When you can get outside, there is some great rock bass, ling and salmon fishing just around the corner in and around Makkaw Bay, strawberry rock etc. We even caught a 30 pound halibut in about 10 feet of water one year right back in the rocks. Much closer than going to swiftsure.
The tribal police can give you a ticket, but for the most part they will let it slide. More to the point is, alcohol and drugs have had a devastating effect on the tribe, thus the ban. As guests on the Res. lets do our part and respect their laws and have fun.Larry3215 wrote:Just in case you are like my bro's and have a hard time without beer on the boat - the tribe has banned all alcohol. You cannot posses or drink any alcohol or pot when in Neah Bay. I have no idea if thats actually enforced for non tribal members, but there is a big sign as you enter the tribal lands.
Larry3215 wrote:Just in case you are like my bro's and have a hard time without beer on the boat - the tribe has banned all alcohol. You cannot posses or drink any alcohol or pot when in Neah Bay. I have no idea if thats actually enforced for non tribal members, but there is a big sign as you enter the tribal lands.
