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"Spring Blackmouth Bonanza in Puget Sound: Best Spots, Tactics, and Gear for a Sensational Salmon Season"
Today, April 2, 2025, fishing in Puget Sound, Washington, promises to be exciting with the official start of the spring Chinook (Blackmouth) salmon season in Marine Areas 10 and 11. This season is open from Wednesday through Saturday, with a daily limit of two salmon (only one clipped Chinook over 22"). Anglers must release all wild Chinook and chum salmon. With the opener timed to coincide with peak Chinook activity, opportunities for great catches are plentiful today.
The day begins with sunrise at 6:41 AM and wraps up with sunset at 7:40 PM. Current weather forecasts predict clear skies with mild temperatures peaking around 57°F, alongside light winds, making for comfortable and productive fishing conditions. In terms of tides, an ideal morning flood tide plays to the advantage of anglers working strategic spots such as Jeff Head, Point Defiance, and Dalco Point.
Local anglers have reported decent recent catches of Chinook salmon. These fish range in size from sublegal juveniles to larger keepers above the 22-inch limit. Notably, Marine Area 10 (from Edmonds to Bainbridge Island) and Marine Area 11 (encompassing Vashon Island to the Tacoma Narrows) are seeing strong activity. Jeff Head, President's Point, and the Kingston bowl are standout locations in Area 10, while Point Defiance and Dalco Point in Area 11 are excellent choices.
Successful anglers today are advised to focus on trolling close to the bottom in depths of 90 to 200 feet. Flashers paired with spoons like Silver Horde Kingfisher Spoons in “Cookies and Cream” or “Irish Cream” are among the top-performing options. Other proven lures include Tomic Plugs (#602 or #603), Ace Hi Flies, and Puget Pounder Jigs for vertical jigging. For bait users, herring and candlefish mimic the primary food sources of Chinook during this season, and pre-brined herring works well when rigged properly to spin enticingly in the water.
Two hot spots for today include Jeff Head (near Bainbridge Island) for early morning action and Point Defiance by Tacoma, which is often productive during a flood tide. Both locations feature underwater structures that funnel baitfish and attract feeding salmon.
Whether trolling, mooching, or jigging, anglers should be prepared for fast-paced action and keep a close eye on legal size and species limits to comply with WDFW regulations. The fishing conditions couldn’t be better—it’s a great time to hit the water and enjoy the unique experience of spring Blackmouth fishing in the Puget Sound.
The day begins with sunrise at 6:41 AM and wraps up with sunset at 7:40 PM. Current weather forecasts predict clear skies with mild temperatures peaking around 57°F, alongside light winds, making for comfortable and productive fishing conditions. In terms of tides, an ideal morning flood tide plays to the advantage of anglers working strategic spots such as Jeff Head, Point Defiance, and Dalco Point.
Local anglers have reported decent recent catches of Chinook salmon. These fish range in size from sublegal juveniles to larger keepers above the 22-inch limit. Notably, Marine Area 10 (from Edmonds to Bainbridge Island) and Marine Area 11 (encompassing Vashon Island to the Tacoma Narrows) are seeing strong activity. Jeff Head, President's Point, and the Kingston bowl are standout locations in Area 10, while Point Defiance and Dalco Point in Area 11 are excellent choices.
Successful anglers today are advised to focus on trolling close to the bottom in depths of 90 to 200 feet. Flashers paired with spoons like Silver Horde Kingfisher Spoons in “Cookies and Cream” or “Irish Cream” are among the top-performing options. Other proven lures include Tomic Plugs (#602 or #603), Ace Hi Flies, and Puget Pounder Jigs for vertical jigging. For bait users, herring and candlefish mimic the primary food sources of Chinook during this season, and pre-brined herring works well when rigged properly to spin enticingly in the water.
Two hot spots for today include Jeff Head (near Bainbridge Island) for early morning action and Point Defiance by Tacoma, which is often productive during a flood tide. Both locations feature underwater structures that funnel baitfish and attract feeding salmon.
Whether trolling, mooching, or jigging, anglers should be prepared for fast-paced action and keep a close eye on legal size and species limits to comply with WDFW regulations. The fishing conditions couldn’t be better—it’s a great time to hit the water and enjoy the unique experience of spring Blackmouth fishing in the Puget Sound.
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By Quiet. PleaseToday, April 2, 2025, fishing in Puget Sound, Washington, promises to be exciting with the official start of the spring Chinook (Blackmouth) salmon season in Marine Areas 10 and 11. This season is open from Wednesday through Saturday, with a daily limit of two salmon (only one clipped Chinook over 22"). Anglers must release all wild Chinook and chum salmon. With the opener timed to coincide with peak Chinook activity, opportunities for great catches are plentiful today.
The day begins with sunrise at 6:41 AM and wraps up with sunset at 7:40 PM. Current weather forecasts predict clear skies with mild temperatures peaking around 57°F, alongside light winds, making for comfortable and productive fishing conditions. In terms of tides, an ideal morning flood tide plays to the advantage of anglers working strategic spots such as Jeff Head, Point Defiance, and Dalco Point.
Local anglers have reported decent recent catches of Chinook salmon. These fish range in size from sublegal juveniles to larger keepers above the 22-inch limit. Notably, Marine Area 10 (from Edmonds to Bainbridge Island) and Marine Area 11 (encompassing Vashon Island to the Tacoma Narrows) are seeing strong activity. Jeff Head, President's Point, and the Kingston bowl are standout locations in Area 10, while Point Defiance and Dalco Point in Area 11 are excellent choices.
Successful anglers today are advised to focus on trolling close to the bottom in depths of 90 to 200 feet. Flashers paired with spoons like Silver Horde Kingfisher Spoons in “Cookies and Cream” or “Irish Cream” are among the top-performing options. Other proven lures include Tomic Plugs (#602 or #603), Ace Hi Flies, and Puget Pounder Jigs for vertical jigging. For bait users, herring and candlefish mimic the primary food sources of Chinook during this season, and pre-brined herring works well when rigged properly to spin enticingly in the water.
Two hot spots for today include Jeff Head (near Bainbridge Island) for early morning action and Point Defiance by Tacoma, which is often productive during a flood tide. Both locations feature underwater structures that funnel baitfish and attract feeding salmon.
Whether trolling, mooching, or jigging, anglers should be prepared for fast-paced action and keep a close eye on legal size and species limits to comply with WDFW regulations. The fishing conditions couldn’t be better—it’s a great time to hit the water and enjoy the unique experience of spring Blackmouth fishing in the Puget Sound.
The day begins with sunrise at 6:41 AM and wraps up with sunset at 7:40 PM. Current weather forecasts predict clear skies with mild temperatures peaking around 57°F, alongside light winds, making for comfortable and productive fishing conditions. In terms of tides, an ideal morning flood tide plays to the advantage of anglers working strategic spots such as Jeff Head, Point Defiance, and Dalco Point.
Local anglers have reported decent recent catches of Chinook salmon. These fish range in size from sublegal juveniles to larger keepers above the 22-inch limit. Notably, Marine Area 10 (from Edmonds to Bainbridge Island) and Marine Area 11 (encompassing Vashon Island to the Tacoma Narrows) are seeing strong activity. Jeff Head, President's Point, and the Kingston bowl are standout locations in Area 10, while Point Defiance and Dalco Point in Area 11 are excellent choices.
Successful anglers today are advised to focus on trolling close to the bottom in depths of 90 to 200 feet. Flashers paired with spoons like Silver Horde Kingfisher Spoons in “Cookies and Cream” or “Irish Cream” are among the top-performing options. Other proven lures include Tomic Plugs (#602 or #603), Ace Hi Flies, and Puget Pounder Jigs for vertical jigging. For bait users, herring and candlefish mimic the primary food sources of Chinook during this season, and pre-brined herring works well when rigged properly to spin enticingly in the water.
Two hot spots for today include Jeff Head (near Bainbridge Island) for early morning action and Point Defiance by Tacoma, which is often productive during a flood tide. Both locations feature underwater structures that funnel baitfish and attract feeding salmon.
Whether trolling, mooching, or jigging, anglers should be prepared for fast-paced action and keep a close eye on legal size and species limits to comply with WDFW regulations. The fishing conditions couldn’t be better—it’s a great time to hit the water and enjoy the unique experience of spring Blackmouth fishing in the Puget Sound.