Artificial Lure here—Thursday, October 23rd, and it’s an early, damp start around Puget Sound, Washington. The marine forecast calls for a persistent south wind at 10-15 knots, with waves holding at 2 feet or less, and a steady threat of rain throughout the day, typical for our October fishery. Expect cloudy, cool skies, and don’t neglect a rain jacket if you’re heading out, especially with drizzle likely after noon according to the National Weather Service.

Sunrise struck at about 7:34 AM, giving us plenty of gray light for an early launch. Sunset’s expected near 6:10 PM, so plan your casts and tides accordingly. Speaking of tides, Seattle clocks a high tide at 6:47 AM (10.76 ft), falls to low at 12:11 PM (5.97 ft), and climbs back for an evening high at 5:24 PM (10.5 ft). The best bites usually trail that flooding tide—right before low and up into the flood, so mid-morning through early afternoon should be prime time to connect with migrating Salmon. FishingReminder.com and US Harbors note these cycles are critical, with big chinook hugging the shoreline during flood tides.

Chinook are still in the mix, riding the last pulse of the fall run, with healthy three- and four-year-olds—many hatchery-raised—making their push from the Georgia Strait and Lower Fraser. Expect fish in the low teens to mid-twenties, though the odd 30-pounder can surprise you. Fall-run chinook are “beach crawlers,” cutting north then scooting back to the home rivers, with fishing best near river mouths and points where they get pressed up against the bank by tidal flow. According to Island Fisherman Magazine, stick to short leaders and visible lures like pink hoochies as these kings are shifting to aggressive, territorial bites and less feeding. For darker, spawning-phase fish, flashers and slow-trolled big baits are the way to go—anchovies, herring, or a classic Purple Haze hoochie loaded with scent for that finale surge.

Coho action remains strong into late October, especially in the afternoons, with some fish still staging near creek mouths and in terminal areas like Elliott Bay and the Duwamish. Locals report steady catches in the 6-8 lb class, most favoring flashy spoons, plugs, or twitching jigs fished near the top fifteen feet of the water column. Chasing Coho Salmon in the Puget Sound gets a nod on YouTube, so don’t be afraid to tie on a small spinner or a twitching pink jig under the overcast. Gone Fishing Northwest also suggests Rapalas if you’re casting from shore for fall trout, but for salmon, stick to saltwater standards.

For those crab-hungry folks, Puget Sound offers excellent Dungeness crabbing options. A three-hook drop shot rig with squid strips or oily bait like mackerel scores best in harbors and marina mouths, and you’ll bump into perch and flounder while waiting for the pot to fill.

Top local hot spots today:
- **Elliott Bay Marina**: Consistent action for coho and late-migrating chinook, especially during mid-day flooding.
- **Edmonds Pier**: Reliable for salmon, flounder, and the odd sea-run cutthroat, with crab pots pulling limits early.
- For shore anglers or kayak fishers, **Portage Bay** and the **Duwamish River mouth** are productive as fish stack up ahead of spawning.

Best lures and bait right now:
- **Pink hoochies** on short leaders for aggressive chinook in terminal zones
- **Flashers** paired with large anchovy or herring, rolled slow and shallow
- **Spoons (blue-silver or green)** and twitching jigs for coho
- Scented squid strips and oily cut-bait for crab pots

October’s fish activity is always dictated by tides and weather. Today’s steady rain might push some fish deeper or closer to river mouths—adapt your tactics, fish slow and tight to structure, and consider releasing big, dark females for next year’s run.

Thanks for tuning in to today’s Puget Sound report—be sure to subscribe and catch us every morning. This has been a Quiet Please production; for more, check out quietplease dot ai.

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