2010 Halibut season

[Play N Hookie II]

I just called the WDFW and got the details for the 2010 halibut season. These are "preliminary" details that still need to be approved by federal regulators.

Areas 6,7 and 9 (all I cared about, didn't ask about any others) will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday only from 5-1-10 to 5-30-10 with the exception of memorial day weekend where it will be open all weekend. Not positive about Monday but I believe so.

Get those plans made. I only have one more package of halibut in the freezer.

<a href="http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x172/Granroth43/May%2009%20Halibut%20Pt%20Townsend/?action=view&current=Summer2009056.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x172/Granroth43/May%2009%20Halibut%20Pt%20Townsend/Summer2009056.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[fishaman]

Kinda upsetting... Late start, and no halibut on Sundays.
Hate to tell it to my daughter, she will be disappointed.

http://www.iboatnw.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=748&stc=1&d=1245363860

Which really means that if we go for a multiday trip to PA, on Sundays we will have to fish the other side of the strait...

[Play N Hookie II]

I was dissapointed to hear of the changes as well. Looks like the weekends start on Wed night in May?

[voyager]

So the first weekend it will be open one day only? Saturday? If that is the case I will be waiting until the next weekend to go. I'm not going to spend all that fuel for one day. I need to check the Canadian reg maybe it would be worth it if I could fish that side the other days.

[voyager]

OK the BC side opened February 1st until further notice. One fish per day and a two fish limit. $19.95 for a three day license. They do not specify any specific days so it must be seven days a week.

So Eric when do you want to go? I'm ready now but the weather is way to unpredictable this time of year. We need to find some GPS coordinates for both the US and BC side so we are not just fishing blind.

[Play N Hookie II]

I will look for it but I have a detailed list of about 30 coordinates with a map. I got this from the bait shop in Pt Townsend. I am game for any weekend. If you take the 1st out because of Sat only, then take out memorial day we are left with three weekends to choose from. You pick and I will make arrangements. I can work out whatever time I need off work. It may just cost me an expensive purse though...

[voyager]

I will look for it but I have a detailed list of about 30 coordinates with a map. I got this from the bait shop in Pt Townsend. I am game for any weekend. If you take the 1st out because of Sat only, then take out memorial day we are left with three weekends to choose from. You pick and I will make arrangements. I can work out whatever time I need off work. It may just cost me an expensive purse though...

Don't give up any big deals, let me know what one of the three weekends works, I am flexible.

[Nehalennia]

Looks like nice fish. Time for But gear I guess. I've only fished for Halibut in Alaska.

[Play N Hookie II]

Don't give up any big deals, let me know what one of the three weekends works, I am flexible.

I am flexible. It is my plan to get up there twice during the season. Why don't we plan for the second weekend in May. What day do you want to leave?

[Play N Hookie II]

Looks like nice fish. Time for But gear I guess. I've only fished for Halibut in Alaska.

If you don't want to go all the way to Pt Townsend to chase them, you should at least take the kids for lingcod around Posession. You may even pick up a Halibut around there. I have never gone out just for Lingcod, but intend to this year. I have lots of rods and reels and gear and you are welcome to borrow anything, anytime. Be sad to see blood on your boat though...we could also go out on my boat. I think it would be cool to watch the kids catch a 20- 40 lb fish. That guy in Lake Stevens with the Everett Lead posting makes halibut and lincod jigs and smaller lead weights for bottom fishing. I need to check my stash still. Suppose I need a boat that runs first. All in due time.

[Nehalennia]

If you don't want to go all the way to Pt Townsend to chase them, you should at least take the kids for lingcod around Posession. You may even pick up a Halibut around there. I have never gone out just for Lingcod, but intend to this year. I have lots of rods and reels and gear and you are welcome to borrow anything, anytime. Be sad to see blood on your boat though...we could also go out on my boat. I think it would be cool to watch the kids catch a 20- 40 lb fish. That guy in Lake Stevens with the Everett Lead posting makes halibut and lincod jigs and smaller lead weights for bottom fishing. I need to check my stash still. Suppose I need a boat that runs first. All in due time.

Sounds good Erik. Yeah I'd like to see them catch fish too. My carpet unsnaps in the cockpit so I can clean it up pretty good. Catching a decent Salmon or Halibut would be worth a little extra time cleaning the boat. Getting to PT isn't that bad (although it can be). We went out two weekends ago and headed up to PT, it took about an hour and a half to get there, but it was nearly flat. I've heard some of the spots out around PT into the strait are pretty good? I have no idea where they are but that doesn't sound to bad to get to. It may be worth trailering to Coronet Bay and running accross the strait.

[voyager]

Don't forget about Mutiny Bay. I may try that the first Saturday. I can make that run in about 1 1/2 hours so it can be done in a day without staying overnight. You guys could make it in probably an hour or less.

[Chass]

I am anxious as heck waiting for the ODFW to release this years halitut season dates! I may have to come up for some of yours ;)

Those fishing maps work well. I've used them to find some great groundfish. They will put you in the general area for halibut. You just have to fish along those drop offs at the edge of the shelf.

Last summer I was out tuna fishing on our Halibut Opener. I came back in and saw more butts being cleaned than I've ever seen before. LOADS of them. Turned out we went more than 5000 lbs over qouta in one 3 day window and I never got another opportunity that year :( it was the most productive halibut season in Oregon history.

Chass
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