Whale Cove

Tackle & technique

Sockeye salmon

Sockeye feed on plankton and rarely chase lures, so saltwater catches come where fish crowd into terminal areas near hatchery creeks and lagoons in late June and July. In Alaska most saltwater sockeye are snagged where that is legal in salt water, while boat anglers troll a small flasher ahead of a bare red hook, a small fly or cut herring. In Washington, Fraser and Skagit sockeye pass through the Strait of Juan de Fuca and San Juan Islands in July and August, with short retention openings.

Rockfish

Rockfish live on rocky reefs, pinnacles and kelp from the shoreline out past 300 feet, with black and blue rockfish schooling mid-water over shallow reefs and copper, quillback, yelloweye and vermilion sitting tight to deeper bottom. Drift over the structure with a shrimp fly above a lead-head grub or metal jig, or a squid strip, and reel up a few cranks after touching bottom to cut snags. Use a descending device to release any fish brought up from deep water.

Lingcod

Lingcod ambush prey from rock outcrops, reef edges and kelp where current runs, most often in 30 to 300 feet, and males move shallow to guard nests in winter. Drift over the reef bouncing a lead-head swimbait or metal jig on the bottom, or fish herring or squid on a heavy leader, since their teeth cut light line. From jetties and rocky shore, work bait or jigs along the rocks on the incoming tide.