Any help I can get for boat fishing

[Cerebro1974]

My family and I just moved to Tacoma from the midwest. No stranger to fishing or boating, but we have had a hard time adjusting. Lots of helpful people but we have been trying for three months and are struggling. The kids want to catch, but we have tried jigging with lead lures, trolling with lead head spinners, flashers, spoons, plastic...mostly in the Colvos pass. Any tips, tricks, best baits for boat fishing (both anchored, trolling and even drifting) would be great. We are running a 40' Chris Craft and I want to make our next time out (just ten more days away) an opportunity for them to catch something, even if they are not keepers!

Thanks all!!

[Salmon King]

Cerebro...

This time of year is tough fishing everywhere in the Sound...

Your best bet is to try using small bits of canned Shrimp (from the dollar store) on a size 4 -6 hook for greenling. They are willing biters and decent fighters on a medium light outfit.
Fish on the edges of a kelp bed. No need to troll. Fish only on the slack tide. If it's moving you'll likely have a tougher time and not get anything.
Put a couple of splitshot on above the hook.
Greenling won't always be on the bottom. Be ready for a fight...they will often be eaten by their larger cousin the Ling Cod (which is out of season right now) before you can get them to the boat.

Another fish that's good right now is the Pile and Rainbow Perch. Use the same baits around dock pilings. They are a schooling fish so if you catch one you'll catch more. I fish thes on an ultrlight outfit and they're a real blast!!

Both fish taste great btw...

Good luck!
Terry

[Cerebro1974]

Thanks Terry! My son caught two sole on Sunday from the boat (on the bottom) and two more today along with 3 sculpin (today he was fishing from the pier), again, bottom. He is hooked and really wants more time on the water! (Alot better than the stock lake fishing in the midwest!) We will try our luck at the greenling. I appreciate it!!!

[Salmon King]

BTW...Greenliing are a very boney fish! the pin bones are tiny and sharp!!

[baydog1990]

Nisqually flats are loaded with flounder, the old docks at Seabeck should be hot right now for spawning pile perch I use night crawlers.

[Mike Carey]

and sad to say, we do need to warn you not to make too much of a habit eating the bottom fish that come up from the sound, especially south of Seattle. Lot's of heavy metals in the flesh. You can get specific guidelines on the WDFW web site