Northwest Fishing Magazine September 2025 Volume 5 Issue 1 - Flipbook - Page 32
HALIBUT
By June, Washington's
Halibut season is still
underway, though
regulations shift year
to year. When opened,
halibut is a major draw.
Neah Bay is one of the few
places in the state where
anglers can run relatively
short distances offshore to
productive halibut grounds.
Places like Swiftsure Bank
and areas West of Tatoosh
Island hold halibut ranging
from 20lbs "chickens" to
"barn door" halibut topping
100+ pounds. Fishing for
halibut here is not only an
exercise for the body, but
an exercise in patience
and persistence. Heavy
lead and big baits waiting
for the unmistakable
thump of a halibut inhaling
your offering. The payoff,
however, is unmatched
table fair and a true trophy
to catch. Couldn't be more
thankful for Captain Fred
having them Tanacom 750
reels on board to winch
up these flatfish from the
depths of 380ft-500ft.
SALMON
June is often the month
when salmon begin
filtering into the region.
Chinook (Kings) are the
headliners, while the main
summer salmon season in
Neah Bay typically kicks off
later in July.
Early arrivals show up in
June, especially along
kelp lines and nearshore
structure, where we
seemed to find ours. These
early-season Kings are
strong, chrome bright,
and are prized by many
anglers. Mooching can
be a very exciting way to
fish; having the knucklebusting action can be just
part of the fun. Coho may
also be appearing offshore,
although they are usually
more prevalent in July and
August. For those lucky
enough to hook up in June,
Coho provide acrobatic
fights, and a taste you'll
return for.
