Gig Harbor boat Launch?

rocketman · 05-02-2007, 05:30 PM

With my purchase of a bigger boat I want to launch in Gig Harbor to fish PT Defiance this year instead of crossing the bridghe and heading into Tacoma. I have heard of boat launches in Gig Harbor can anyone fill me in where they are, whats their condition, do the tides affect them and do they cost anything?

Thanks

Jason S · 05-02-2007, 08:25 PM

It is free, but hard to find it. Weave around the harbor till you come to the T. Tajke a right and go past the park. Turn right after the park (which is on the left) and follow it down to the ramp. I found it blind so it is not hard to find.

Parking absolutely sucks there though. It is all on street parking.

FYI where are you located at?

Manchester has a nice ramp and a three mile run into area 11, or 6 miles to Dolphin point. Quit fighting the crowds at defience. Also July 16-August16 there will be an opening for clipped Kings in area 10 this year (this is in addition to the Elliot Bay and Sincair Ilet fisheries). On the line by the Southworth Ferry Docks we kill as many Kings as they do at Defience. But our fishing is spottier because fish are passing through vice holding like at defience.

PM me I am in Port Orchard WA for more info.

rocketman · 05-03-2007, 07:03 AM

I live in Silverdale and believe me I'll be at Pt no Pt at first light come July 16th, I'm picking up my new boat next week and am itching to get it out, so I was thinking about the June 1 opener at Pt Defiance. I've been there before for the opener and what a zoo at the boat ramp. How long does it take from Manchester to Pt Defience?

ripnlips1 · 05-03-2007, 08:04 AM

I live in Gig Harbor and have launched at all of the available boat launches. Parking sucks at all of them. The Gig Harbor launch has a new floating dock that helps when retrieving/launching alone. The Fox Island boat launch is in need of repair and unusable at lower tides (unless you have a jet sled). Parking there sucks, too. Rumor is this boat launch will be repaired in the near future. Some locals fought against improving it years ago and won. The money was then spent on the Fox Island fishing pier (about 1 millon $$). Horsehead bay launch is good for all tides but you must park a few 100 yrds up a hill then run back down to your boat. No dock to tie up to either. Parking is along the road but more tow rigs can fit there than the other two sites. All of these areas will be full on sunny days so you have to get to them early. PM me with the size of boat and tow vehicle and I'll tell you which one is more suitable for your rig. Oh, they are all free, first come, first served.

Jason S · 05-03-2007, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocketman

I live in Silverdale and believe me I'll be at Pt no Pt at first light come July 16th, I'm picking up my new boat next week and am itching to get it out, so I was thinking about the June 1 opener at Pt Defiance. I've been there before for the opener and what a zoo at the boat ramp. How long does it take from Manchester to Pt Defience?

June first opener is every bit as good at Dolphin Point as Defience. But it is a 20 mile run on the water from Manchester to Pt. Defience. If nothing is doing in Southworth I go searching for them. Sometimes you find them around Ollalla or Pt. Richmond in Gigharbor also.

What did you get? I just took delivery of a 20" NR Seahawk.

scomp25 · 05-03-2007, 08:00 PM

hey guys with the cost of gas thru the roof i would gladly assist in any fishing adventure. just moved up to kitsap county from pdx and am looking to learn the area.

let me know if you have an open seat i will pay for gas, bait amd lunch.

tomictime · 05-03-2007, 08:16 PM

man..fond memories of the Horsehead Bay ramp, I had a Wrangler and 17' Whaler and could put that boat in and park w laser guided precision, finding fish back then was another matter..My recall (again dated) is that the Gig Hbr ramp was marginal at the lower tides.