FISH WIRE FEATURE: North Sound blackmouth hotspots open Jan. 1
NEW Dec. 30, 2008 / 2:30 p.m

EVERETT, Wash. - Back in the 1970s and 80s - the heyday of blackmouth fishing in Puget Sound - the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife took weekly creel reports throughout most of western Washington's saltwater fisheries.

In January, February and March, those reports were filled with triple-digit numbers of fish taken around Camano Island, Saratoga Passage and upper Possession Sound.

Those same waters - now managed as Marine Areas 8-1 and 8-2 - re-open for business on New Year's morning after 60 days of no fishing, and Everett-based saltwater sharpies should expect some of the best blackmouth fishing of the year.

Here are four spots to ring in 2009 with some Chinook in the box:

nGedney Island: A tip of the Hat (Island, that is) to the south end of the small island located straight out of the breakwater at the mouth of the Snohomish River. Fish the ledge that runs off the southeast end of the island in 80 to 100 feet of water.

nThe Racetrack: This stretch of water between the north end of Hat Island and Camano Head features a 90- to 110-foot bar that climbs up out of deeper water to form a natural bait collector. Work both sides of the bar until you find bait.

nSaratoga Passage: This long passage between Camano and Whidbey islands holds a handful of excellent spots, including Sandy Point, the Langley waterfront and East Point on the Whidbey side, and Elger Bay on the Camano side.

nBaby Island/Greenbank: Blackmouth fishing is all bout finding bait, and you'll search far and wide to find a better bait-spawning location than the waters around Baby Island and Greenbank. Start your troll at East Point, heading west to Baby Island and continuing west to Greenbank. Once you've reached the 90- to 120-foot line at Greenbank, head north to Ole's Hole or south to Holmes Harbor.

TUNE IN: Listen to Northwest Wild Country this Saturday, Jan. 3 for LIVE, on-the-water reports from Marine Areas 8-1 and 8-2. Check back here for podcasts of those interviews on Jan. 4.

-JS