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Washington Salmon, Steelhead, and Sturgeon Fishing Guides, Charters & Trips
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2-king limit for those angling South Sound
Washington fishing map feature
By John Keizer
Fishing and Hunting News
And it's true: this is the kickoff month for returning runs of large ocean-bright hatchery kings headed back to local South End rivers. The Puyallup, Chambers Creek and Nisqually will all see fish returning this month. The limit in Marine Area 11 has even been increased to allow retention of two kings this year, really making the drive south to Tacoma area well worth the trouble. Where Try off the Clay Banks and the Slag Pile near Point Defiance, or further east off the mouth of the Puyallup River, where plenty of big fish are nailed by trollers. Puyallup River: Trolling the 120-foot line with the downriggers set at 30 to 90 feet has accounted for most of my chinook catches when fishing off the river mouth.
Also near the Nisqually, troll north from the mouth of the river to Ketron Island on an outgoing tide, and turn it around and troll south along the shoreline on an incoming tide. Chambers Creek: Plenty of kings — all running 10 to 15 pounds — also show up at Chambers Creek north of Steilacoom anytime around the second week of August. Fishing for these kings is best done trolling south of the railroad bridge or jigging a Point Wilson Dart in the 60- to 90-foot-deep water just north of the bridge. A few of these fat, hard-fighting fish will run around the 30-pound mark (I had six fatties over the 30-pound mark during August charters last season). Point Defiance: The most famous spot in the area is the Point Defiance Clay Banks, located just west of Owen Beach Park. This is the top spot to fish on the outgoing tide, and can flat produce fish. Early in the morning (daybreak), mooch or troll the 60- to 90-foot water. Kings move in and feed on the bait that stacks up in the eddy here.
Trollers, move out and work the 90- to 200-foot water. Run your downriggers at 60 to 90 feet as these are migrating fall king rather than blackmouth. I've done extremely well away from the other boats out in the deeper water. Just to the east, located in front of the Point Defiance boat ramp, is the Slag Pile, which is another excellent chinook spot. Deep dropoffs here make great holding water for fall kings. Try 100 to 150 feet of water early in the day. This is also a great coho spot later in the month. Vashon Island: When tide changes, shift your attack north across to Vashon Island. Troll or mooch from the ferry dock down to Point Dalco. Mooch starting in 60 feet of water off the ferry dock and drift into the deeper water off Point Dalco. Trollers hammer fish straight off Point Dalco itself, trolling the edges of the rip formed by the incoming current. Mooching setup The best simple mooching setup is a medium-action rod with a fast tip and a compatible reel, loaded with 12-pound test main line. I like Metzler sliding sinkers, with as little weight as you need (usually 2 to 6 ounces) to maintain bottom contact. The slider allows the fish to pick up the bait without feeling the weight. For hooks I like 3/0 or 4/0 Mustad 92604N Ultra Points on 7-foot leaders attached to a Sampo ball bearing swivel. Rig a fresh cut-plug herring with a tight spin and you're set to slay summer chinook. Trolling setup Downrigger fishing simply out produces all other methods when the name of the game is hooking fish in numbers. I run up to four electric Scottys on my 26-foot charter boat, the "Special K." Being able to cover lots of water with your tackle at a controlled depth is an extremely effective way to fish. I use Shimano Calcutta 400 reels and G. Loomis 10˝-foot SAR1265C rods. Rig with 20-pound test main line. If you fish light, go with a cut-plug herring. If you're a hardware fisherman, a large Hot Spot flasher with a mini Glow B-2 Squid, or a green Grand Slam bucktail on a 40-inch leader are consistent producers. Go with spoons like Silver Horde's Sonic Edge and the Kingfisher ? both of which worked very well last year and have been producing fish through the early summer. If you like plugs, try a 6-inch green spatterback or all white glow-in-the-dark. At a glance What: South Sound kings. Season runs through Dec. 31. Where: The Nisqually River mouth, Puyallup River mouth, Chambers Creek, McAllister Creek, Clay Banks, Slag Pile, Point Dalco. Limit: Two salmon a day; coho must have clipped adipose fin south of the Narrows Bridge. The fishery is good now, but it peaks through the middle of August. Launch: Two-lane launch at Point Defiance Park; one-lane launch with dock at Narrows Marina just south of Tacoma Narrows Bridge; one-lane ramp at Zittle's Marina near Olympia; small ramp in Gig Harbor, with no dock ? it's OK for small boats but not much parking. Gearing up: Mooching tackle should include sinkers (2 to 6 ounces), light leaders and fresh herring (available at Narrows Marina and Point Defiance tackle shops). For trolling, rig up Hot Spot flashers, Grand Slam Bucktails, B-2 Squids and Kingfisher and Sonic Edge spoons. Also bring along rattle plugs in green-and-white glow. Lodging: Motel 6 Tacoma (253-473-7100) and Commencement Bay Bed & Breakfast (253-752-8175). Who to call: Narrows Marina Tackle Shop (253-564-4222); Point Defiance Boathouse (253-591-5325) and Zittle's Marina in Olympia (360-459-1950). You are also welcome to contact me at Puget Sound Salmon Charters (253-565-6598).
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