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Puget Sound Fishing Report: Chinook Salmon, Halibut, and Tackle Tips for Successful Angling
Good morning, anglers! Here’s your detailed fishing report for Puget Sound, Washington, on Friday, April 4, 2025.
The early Chinook or "Blackmouth" salmon season is in full swing in Marine Areas 10 (Seattle to Kingston) and 11 (Tacoma to Vashon). Anglers are buzzing with excitement following its April 2 opening. Weather conditions are favorable today, with calm and partly cloudy skies; temperatures should range from 47°F this morning to the mid-50s by the afternoon. Winds are light, an added bonus for those heading out on the water. Sunrise was at 6:39 AM, and sunset will be at 7:39 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to fish. The tides are transitioning, so focus on the outgoing tide at Jeff Head’s south side or Kingston's inner bowl, and switch to the incoming tide near President’s Point or Kingston’s outer bar later in the day.
Fish activity is heating up! Chinook salmon are concentrated near the bottom at depths of 90-200 feet. Reports indicate a strong start to the season, with anglers successfully catching clipped Chinook over 22 inches. Blackmouth are actively feeding on herring and candlefish, and the daily limit is two salmon, one of which can be a clipped Chinook. Keep in mind that wild Chinook and chum salmon must be released.
Trolling is proving effective, and gear matters. Successful setups include Silver Horde Kingfisher Lite spoons in "Cookies and Cream" or "Irish Cream" patterns behind a flasher. For anglers without downriggers, vertical jigging with Puget Pounder Jigs or mooching with herring has delivered results. UV and glow lures, like Ace Hi Flies or Tomic Plugs (#602/#603), are also great choices in these waters. Keep your gear near the bottom, as occasional contact with the seabed is key to enticing Blackmouth.
For those targeting halibut, fishing officially began in parts of Puget Sound yesterday, April 3. The Sekiu, East Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Puget Sound marine areas are now open, with a one-fish daily limit. Anglers seeking halibut should use bait like herring or squid on jig setups, and patience is essential as halibut often require slow but steady tactics near bottom structures.
Hot spots today include Marine Area 10’s Jeff Head and Kingston areas. In Marine Area 11, Point Defiance (Clay Banks and the Slag Pile) is excellent during outgoing tides, while Dalco Point near Vashon Island is reliable during incoming tides.
Whether trolling for Chinook or jigging for halibut, today’s mellow conditions and active fish make it a prime day to hit the water. Tight lines and good luck out there!
The early Chinook or "Blackmouth" salmon season is in full swing in Marine Areas 10 (Seattle to Kingston) and 11 (Tacoma to Vashon). Anglers are buzzing with excitement following its April 2 opening. Weather conditions are favorable today, with calm and partly cloudy skies; temperatures should range from 47°F this morning to the mid-50s by the afternoon. Winds are light, an added bonus for those heading out on the water. Sunrise was at 6:39 AM, and sunset will be at 7:39 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to fish. The tides are transitioning, so focus on the outgoing tide at Jeff Head’s south side or Kingston's inner bowl, and switch to the incoming tide near President’s Point or Kingston’s outer bar later in the day.
Fish activity is heating up! Chinook salmon are concentrated near the bottom at depths of 90-200 feet. Reports indicate a strong start to the season, with anglers successfully catching clipped Chinook over 22 inches. Blackmouth are actively feeding on herring and candlefish, and the daily limit is two salmon, one of which can be a clipped Chinook. Keep in mind that wild Chinook and chum salmon must be released.
Trolling is proving effective, and gear matters. Successful setups include Silver Horde Kingfisher Lite spoons in "Cookies and Cream" or "Irish Cream" patterns behind a flasher. For anglers without downriggers, vertical jigging with Puget Pounder Jigs or mooching with herring has delivered results. UV and glow lures, like Ace Hi Flies or Tomic Plugs (#602/#603), are also great choices in these waters. Keep your gear near the bottom, as occasional contact with the seabed is key to enticing Blackmouth.
For those targeting halibut, fishing officially began in parts of Puget Sound yesterday, April 3. The Sekiu, East Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Puget Sound marine areas are now open, with a one-fish daily limit. Anglers seeking halibut should use bait like herring or squid on jig setups, and patience is essential as halibut often require slow but steady tactics near bottom structures.
Hot spots today include Marine Area 10’s Jeff Head and Kingston areas. In Marine Area 11, Point Defiance (Clay Banks and the Slag Pile) is excellent during outgoing tides, while Dalco Point near Vashon Island is reliable during incoming tides.
Whether trolling for Chinook or jigging for halibut, today’s mellow conditions and active fish make it a prime day to hit the water. Tight lines and good luck out there!
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By Quiet. PleaseGood morning, anglers! Here’s your detailed fishing report for Puget Sound, Washington, on Friday, April 4, 2025.
The early Chinook or "Blackmouth" salmon season is in full swing in Marine Areas 10 (Seattle to Kingston) and 11 (Tacoma to Vashon). Anglers are buzzing with excitement following its April 2 opening. Weather conditions are favorable today, with calm and partly cloudy skies; temperatures should range from 47°F this morning to the mid-50s by the afternoon. Winds are light, an added bonus for those heading out on the water. Sunrise was at 6:39 AM, and sunset will be at 7:39 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to fish. The tides are transitioning, so focus on the outgoing tide at Jeff Head’s south side or Kingston's inner bowl, and switch to the incoming tide near President’s Point or Kingston’s outer bar later in the day.
Fish activity is heating up! Chinook salmon are concentrated near the bottom at depths of 90-200 feet. Reports indicate a strong start to the season, with anglers successfully catching clipped Chinook over 22 inches. Blackmouth are actively feeding on herring and candlefish, and the daily limit is two salmon, one of which can be a clipped Chinook. Keep in mind that wild Chinook and chum salmon must be released.
Trolling is proving effective, and gear matters. Successful setups include Silver Horde Kingfisher Lite spoons in "Cookies and Cream" or "Irish Cream" patterns behind a flasher. For anglers without downriggers, vertical jigging with Puget Pounder Jigs or mooching with herring has delivered results. UV and glow lures, like Ace Hi Flies or Tomic Plugs (#602/#603), are also great choices in these waters. Keep your gear near the bottom, as occasional contact with the seabed is key to enticing Blackmouth.
For those targeting halibut, fishing officially began in parts of Puget Sound yesterday, April 3. The Sekiu, East Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Puget Sound marine areas are now open, with a one-fish daily limit. Anglers seeking halibut should use bait like herring or squid on jig setups, and patience is essential as halibut often require slow but steady tactics near bottom structures.
Hot spots today include Marine Area 10’s Jeff Head and Kingston areas. In Marine Area 11, Point Defiance (Clay Banks and the Slag Pile) is excellent during outgoing tides, while Dalco Point near Vashon Island is reliable during incoming tides.
Whether trolling for Chinook or jigging for halibut, today’s mellow conditions and active fish make it a prime day to hit the water. Tight lines and good luck out there!
The early Chinook or "Blackmouth" salmon season is in full swing in Marine Areas 10 (Seattle to Kingston) and 11 (Tacoma to Vashon). Anglers are buzzing with excitement following its April 2 opening. Weather conditions are favorable today, with calm and partly cloudy skies; temperatures should range from 47°F this morning to the mid-50s by the afternoon. Winds are light, an added bonus for those heading out on the water. Sunrise was at 6:39 AM, and sunset will be at 7:39 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to fish. The tides are transitioning, so focus on the outgoing tide at Jeff Head’s south side or Kingston's inner bowl, and switch to the incoming tide near President’s Point or Kingston’s outer bar later in the day.
Fish activity is heating up! Chinook salmon are concentrated near the bottom at depths of 90-200 feet. Reports indicate a strong start to the season, with anglers successfully catching clipped Chinook over 22 inches. Blackmouth are actively feeding on herring and candlefish, and the daily limit is two salmon, one of which can be a clipped Chinook. Keep in mind that wild Chinook and chum salmon must be released.
Trolling is proving effective, and gear matters. Successful setups include Silver Horde Kingfisher Lite spoons in "Cookies and Cream" or "Irish Cream" patterns behind a flasher. For anglers without downriggers, vertical jigging with Puget Pounder Jigs or mooching with herring has delivered results. UV and glow lures, like Ace Hi Flies or Tomic Plugs (#602/#603), are also great choices in these waters. Keep your gear near the bottom, as occasional contact with the seabed is key to enticing Blackmouth.
For those targeting halibut, fishing officially began in parts of Puget Sound yesterday, April 3. The Sekiu, East Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Puget Sound marine areas are now open, with a one-fish daily limit. Anglers seeking halibut should use bait like herring or squid on jig setups, and patience is essential as halibut often require slow but steady tactics near bottom structures.
Hot spots today include Marine Area 10’s Jeff Head and Kingston areas. In Marine Area 11, Point Defiance (Clay Banks and the Slag Pile) is excellent during outgoing tides, while Dalco Point near Vashon Island is reliable during incoming tides.
Whether trolling for Chinook or jigging for halibut, today’s mellow conditions and active fish make it a prime day to hit the water. Tight lines and good luck out there!