Willapa Bay Fishing Report

Richter · 09-09-2000, 07:52 AM

I went and fished Willapa Bay yesterday. A friend, Bill C., fished everyday this week, catching 2 to 6 salmon day, depending on how many guys were fishing. Mostly chinooks 15-40 lbs with a some nice silvers mixed in for good measure.
Of course it had slowed up by yesterday, but still didn't do too bad. Landing 1- 22 lb. chinook, 2 coho 8 and 14lbs, and released one wild coho. Bright coho were thick in the bay, but were not biting.
My friend who had been knocking them dead, didn't have a bite yesterday.
Saw a few other fish caught, but it wasn't as hot as it had been. Hot enough for me to go back Sunday.

Rich

Bilgy · 09-10-2000, 06:10 AM

Thanks for the report....I'm headed down to Willapa Wed AM thru Sat AM......we have some nice early flood tides headed this way...it should be good.......Were you fishing inland from Toke Point or out at Washaway beach? Seems like the last couple of years the main action has been inland toward Raymond but in the past Washaway was the only place to be. At the price of gas I hate to run all over creation for the first couple of days to locate them.

Better get in get your share....the nets come in Sept 17th

later.......bill

Richter · 09-10-2000, 08:24 PM

Bill,

I wasn't able to fish today, but fishing wasn't too bad in the bay. My friend caught two Chinook in the mid 20's.
Washaway used to be the hotspot, but not much going on there anymore. I think when they put the jetty in at North Cove to save the highway, the fish now travel a different path. Bill C. has tryed to figure it out but has given up.
You are correct, much of the best action is now upstream. Between the mouth of North River and South Bend has been consistent.
Trolling around Green "13", "15", and "19" has been the most productive. Normally, the best bite is at high slack, but this year the fish are just biting whenever, all through the tides with no real hot bite.
I am planning on going Wed. or Thurs.
I'll try to give you a fishing report tommorrow night.

Take Care, Rich

Bilgy · 09-11-2000, 12:10 PM

I should be launching out of the Tokeland Marina early Wed AM myself.

Thank you for the tips......I guess that jetty has made quite a difference.....I am wondering about the south side of the sand island that is between Toke Point and the bar....I have done really well there in the past but the island has eroded so badly that its a little tough to fish anymore.....I have the channel associated with the island marked on my GPS so I can get back to it if it seems like the thing to do.

I'm in an gray 18ft Tiderunner Cuddy with a couple of other guys.....holler at us if you see us.

bill

ps; if you have a vhf give me a channel and we will pass whatever reports we have on to you

Richter · 09-11-2000, 02:19 PM

Bill,

Almost everyone has given up on what we called the south channel (south side of the island). This was a hot spot in the past at times, but I do not have the confidence to fish it anymore. If you like this spot, it may be worth a try.
I'll be probably have my brothers boat, 20' Bayliner Trophy, 150 HP Merc, with a 15 HP Merc kicker. Channel 68 on the VHF.
I don't have a report from today yet, but will post it later tonight. The big boys should be showing up this week. You picked some good days to fish.

Rich

Jeffhead · 09-11-2000, 02:34 PM

Hey guys,
I'm thinkin' about heading down that way this weekend. What have you been runnin'??? Banana weights and cut plugs, flashers and hooches, what's the hot setup???
Thanks in advance, Jeff

Bilgy · 09-11-2000, 07:41 PM

The usual shot at Willapa is trolling plugged herring........if you are in shallow water a crescent lead is fine but I have also seen guys rig a drop sinker with a six or seven foot leader. If you are in deeper water, a diver like a deep six is in order. Trolling with fish flash has helped also. Basically, Willapa is a slow fishery, I have seen two fish in a half hour but for the most part it is a game of patience. However, when you get ahold of one, chances are its really worth the trip. There are some whoppers in there! I still wake up in a cold sweat with visions of one that I lost right beside the boat a few years ago....never seen a fish like that anyplace before or since!

good luck....bill

Richter · 09-11-2000, 07:57 PM

Jeff,

The best setup seems to be fishing near the bottom. If you fish up by Green "13", "15" and "19", the water is between 16' to 28'.
I like to fish with a cut plug herring behind a FishFlash. The Fish Flash seems to be working extremely well this year. I use this with a 18" to 24" dropper with the appropriate amount of weight to keep me near the bottom.

Rich

Richter · 09-11-2000, 08:15 PM

Bill,

While I was trying to leave a message for Jeff, I missed your earlier post. I (we) have caught quit a few fish in the 40-50Lb. range. My brother had one near the boat three years ago that would have pushed 60 lbs. There are some hogs down there. This is the week!!

Rich

Bilgy · 09-11-2000, 08:23 PM

Rich

I agree, if it's gonna happen at all this year, this is the week for it.....nice morning in-tides....right time of the calendar.....a little rain to prime the pump....and if the combination isn't in harmony, the netters will screw it up at the end of the week anyway....I just wish we didn't have a full moon right now. I think the biggest I have personally seen is a 48 pounder and I cant claim to have taken anything over the mid thirties, but in my book thats some fine fishin!

I'll try to look you up on the vhf wed.

later.......bill

Jeffhead · 09-12-2000, 02:56 PM

Thanks for the input fellows, I think that Saturday we'll be out there. White Harbercraft sled. Say hi if ya see us, I'll look for your rigs.

Good luck and tight lines, Jeff

Jim · 09-12-2000, 08:58 PM

Hey Jeff,
Last week we hit fish right across from the South Bend boat ramp (silvers). I then went upstream on a hunch...ran into a bunch of fish that wouldn't hit anything...had to get the skunk spray out that day...

Anyway...have a bunch of fun...gotta love the Willapa!

Jim

Jeffhead · 09-17-2000, 08:31 PM

Well Jim,
I think ya passed the skunk spray on to our boat. Fished from 7:00 this morning til 3:30 this afternoon from bouy 10 to bouy 19 1/2 and didn't touch anything but dogfish, YUCCCKKKK!!!! Saw tons o' fish jumpin', rollin' and all over the finder but we (and nobody else for that matter) could coax one into climin' on the end of our lines. Did see one nice 25 pounder when we got back to the dock, a hen full of eggs. I gaurentee that this fishery is over, the commercial fleet hit the water tonight at 6:00 for at least 5 days. There was at least 10 commercial net draggers lined up and waiting to go. As always the fishin' and company (my Dad and my friend Darrell) were great, the catchin' left something to be desired. Oh well there's always next time.
Good luck and tight lines, Jeff