With Marine Area 5 being the only real saltwater salmon show in town, anglers are flocking to Sekiu to get their piece of the pie and they’re in luck! They are being met with thick bait balls and willing biters.
Mike and Larry Surdyk recently found pay dirt and a boat full of limits by running flasher and anchovy in a helmet.
KEYS TO SUCCESS
SONAR: If you want to find success in the winter blackmouth fishery, your sonar game has to be dialed in. Mike Surdyk ran his Raymarine Axiom system on high chirp and found areas that held massive amounts of bait in order to locate and capitalize on the feeding frenzy. Most of Mike’s nicer fish were found in the 60 ft to 90 ft zone while running his downrigger ball and terminal tackle right on the bottom.
GEAR and BAIT: Match-the-hatch is a great approach to this fishery with the bait in the area running the size of a “red” to “green” label herring or 4-inch anchovy. When you find the bait running on the micro-size, exercise caution if you start to see your catch size dip below the legal limit. Don’t forget that a mortality rate is applied to each fish you catch and release and catching sub-legal fish is counted against the overall quota. Size up your gear if you find yourself in this situation.
WHERE: The waters just north of Sekiu Point as well as the long troll from Slip Point to Pillar Point has been producing. Troll with the current in this fishery and if the tide is running at a good pace, don’t try to troll against the current. Instead, pick up and run back up to the top of the troll. If you’re not finding the fish along the shorelines, focus on the points and look for the back eddies created by the current. Find the bait and you will find the fish!
There are some high teener fish being caught as well so don’t size down your arsenal too much. These fish are actively feeding and will make your reels sing. Reach out to Mason’s Olson Resort for lodging, fuel, supplies, or a dock slip. Get out there and get some while the bite is on!
