Staleyd67 Loc: Oak Harbor WA

Hey, I’ve been fishing a few areas within walking distance of Oak Harbor. With the busses here I can get anywhere on the island though. Is anyone willing to give me a spot I can catch a fish? I really want to learn to saltwater fish but I’m getting really discouraged because I can’t seem to catch anything, even “trash” fish. Smelt and herring are supposed to be running, but I haven’t seen so much as a minnow. Any help would be appreciated. I don’t care what I catch, I just want to catch a saltwater fish.

1940 Loc: Arlington wa

Smelt & herring! Check out oak harbor marina, need a jig. You maybe on the tail end of the run.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Jez, I googled Oak Harbor, and there must be a place around there where you could catch a fish. If there is a pier in the area, take a walk out on it and talk to the locals. See what they are using to catch fish with. If there are beaches, talk to the surf fishermen to see what is happening there. Good luck.

Staleyd67 Loc: Oak Harbor WA

I’ve been there and jigged four four hours and not even a nibble on my sabiki rig. Problem is just about everything public here is closed, and 99 percent of the island seems to be private property.

Staleyd67 Loc: Oak Harbor WA

Everything public seems closed, dead, or the rest is private beaches. The two places I’ve been, I did everything I learned on YouTube, and I caught a few sticks, and some kelp. It’s really discouraging, because fresh water I can always at least catch a bluegill or sunfish. I have walked miles of beach at this point and haven’t seen so much as a minnow. I must be doing something wrong and I can’t figure out what.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Any bait shops around to point you in the right direction?

SALMON ADDICT Loc: Snohomish county Washington

What are you using for bait.I'm personally not familiar with that part of town but have fished PS most my life,Two baits that should almost guarantee something would be herring or sandworms,not earthworms, another option would be mussels which can be found on most pier pilings, also try popcorn shrimp, preferably uncooked

Phillyflyer Loc: Tacoma, Wa. Transplant from Philly

I fish Tacoma Piers all the time....shrimp, herring, and sandworms. For Flatfish etc. I fish off the bottom. If it smells fishy or moves fishy....well, that helps. Just my experience. Get some!

EdwardL Loc: Tenino Wa.

Welcome to Oak Harbor 🏝
You know that could be a new TV 📺 show
A show about a man,s search 🔍 for a fish

This time of the year is a little slow but you can catch trout in lakes that have been stocked but you have to put in the leg work
There are newspapers that are just local fishing news and reports on what’s biting . and you can go on line to the Washington Fish & Game you can check in bait shops

But we don’t bait your hook so do your leg work get out and talk to people. As it gets warmer fish will be everywhere but stay off private property they didn’t pay alllllll that money for their private beach 🏖 for you to fish on. Rent a boat or buy a boat learn how to use it
We are here to help people with their questions about fishing any and all questions about fishing,fishing boats,fishing methods. We can’t see you fishing or what kind of lures you are using or bait
Or why your not getting a bite. But look around give us information. Most of us don’t live here in Washington I had to learn what’s going before I caught anything
I’m from Illinois very different here from there. So go on line. Read a fishing paper go to bait shop. And I’m sure you will catch a. 🐟. Hope some of this will help you and good luck

Staleyd67 Loc: Oak Harbor WA

I have been using muscle and limpet for bait on a prettied sabiki rig. Also, a chunk of chicken on a Carolina rig for dogfish. I have hit up bait shops and have gotten a ton of advice. None of it seems to get bites. This post is kinda just me venting. I have found an older gentleman willing to meet me at a public beach to observe what I’m doing and hopefully correct my mistakes.

Staleyd67 Loc: Oak Harbor WA

Just the one within any reason walking or bussing distance. He gave me all the same advice as YouTube, but like others have said, without being able to see what I’m doing no one can really tell what I’m doing wrong.

EdwardL Loc: Tenino Wa.

Well crabs 🦀 will go after the chicken 🍗 and star fish will also. Not sure what a Sabiki rig is but just about anything should work mussels are great even I bite on mussels your bait is good for the sound
Try not to put your bait laying on bottom
The 🦀 crabs and starfish will take it But
If it is just above bottom much better and don’t have gas ⛽️ or other stinky stuff on your hands when you bait your hook they can smell you. So wash your hands and rinse in the salt water

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

When using a sabiki rig, I use the smallest I can buy. Like a 14 hook. I never have tried adding bait. That would be like baiting a fly. I have fished the piers at La Connor and the pier at Cornet Bay. Smelt seam to be very location oriented. I like Cornet Bay, but Smelt can be hit and miss. I have never caught anything on the sabiki rig except at the two places noted and on a boat as they need to be slow jigged up and down. Fishing is very slow this time of year in the salt. My go to bait year around in the sound, is a two inch gulp alive sand worm threaded on to a # 6 hook finesse rigged . I put two hooks in line about 8 inches apart with a weight 6 inches down. Cast out (on sand if you can find it) or off a pier. let it sit a minute or two with a very small bit of slack line, then reel in about six inches or a foot and repeat. I put a sand worm on the lower hook and a chartreuse 4 inch gulp mullet on the upper hook. I have hooked a lot of fish off the bank by the Port Townsend ferry dock. I was staying at the trailer camp sight there. I am not sure about public land as I was in the camp ground. Check on legal boundaries of the diving area. Note: The sand dabs and sole don't have a lot of meat, but it is very tasty though not real firm. Good luck and be patient until the weather warms some. Saltwater fishing here for sole can be fantastic.

Staleyd67 Loc: Oak Harbor WA

Thank you so much. I’m headed to the pier now to try that setup out. I actually did manage to hook what I think was a shiner perch but he popped off before I could touch him. Using a size ten sabiki.

Don Davis Loc: Washington

I have lived and fished in Washington for over 60 years.
Opportunity is at an all time low for salt water. You will need a good boat to have a chance.
Best bet is local lakes when they open in April.