bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

I was asked about flatfishing, sole and sand dabs in puget sound. It sounds like a good subject for a post.

I use 20 pound mono leader. I put a snap swivel on the bottom to change weights in the current. 3/4 to 4 oz. depending on the current. It is imperative that you are on the bottom., then put two hooks finesset style on the line. First hook, size 2 long shank about 6 inches above the weight and second hook a size 1 long shank about 9 inches above the first hook. (remember to bend down barb) I then put a swivel about a foot above the top hook.
I tie up a bunch of these rigs in advance in case we hit dogfish. It makes for easy change out. Note: I make sure the hook eye is directly in line with the main line. That way I get mostly lip hook ups. Set the hook when the fish actually pulls rather than pecks.
I put a 2 inch camo gulp sandworm threaded on the shank of the lower hook and a 4" chartreuse mullet on the upper hook. The fish will tell you what they prefer on a given day.
Most fish, day in and day out are caught on the sand worm. I often change out to the sand worm on both hooks. That being said, most of the larger fish are caught on the mullet.
I fish vertical. Bounce the weight on the bottom a few times and wait about 10 seconds and repeat. My favorite depth is 40 to 60 feet, though I have caught fish as shallow as 20 feet and as deep as the 120 foot local restriction.
If you do not get a bite in 10 minutes, fire up and move.
Just a side note: On occasion, (I am always experimenting) I have found that sand dabs, the best eating but smallest of the flat fish I catch, will go crazy on a 1.5 by 3/8 inch strip of squid hooked near the fat end so it flutters, with or without the sand worm and mullet. Unfortunately, dogfish if around love the squid. Keep in mind that dogfish are a blast for kids. I will make a new post for dogfish in Puget Sound. Good Luck.

Billycrap2 Loc: Mason county,W(BY GOD) Virginia, 🇺🇸🦅

Sounds like you got the hang of it bapabear good info
Thank 👍🏽🎣🎣🎣🎣🐟🐟🐠🐠🐋🐋🇺🇸🇺🇸🦅🦅

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Thanks. I eat sole about twice a week and enjoy the shopping

Ted Wiegert Loc: WA. Blaine

Just moved up to Birch Bay I would like to fish for flatfish Etc out of Birch Bay village. Is it good relatively close to there? Have a 17 ft Boston Whaler so I can get around.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Try just outside the breakwater or any location you can find sand. Move i/4 mile if you don't get a bite in ten minutes.. In low current days, head out to Alden Bank and fish 40 to 60 feet deep. on the north 1/3 of the bank. I would take you out, or go out with you, but my wife had a bleed last month that compressed her spine. It left her with left side paralysis much like a stroke. I expect it will be a while before I get out. You can and should get a current table at LFS along with the 2023 update booklet. It cost a bit, but worth every penny. I have used mine each time I go out, every year for over 20 years. It's dog eared and water stained, but still puts me at the right spot at a slow current. Good luck.

Ted Wiegert Loc: WA. Blaine

Thank you very much for the information. Sorry to hear about your wife I hope she gets better soon. Maybe I'll see you out there someday :-)

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Glad to help. Have a great summer.

Ted Wiegert Loc: WA. Blaine

As usual I can't make sense of the fishing rules. In area 7 it seems to say all other fish which I believe covers flounder and dabs is closured year around? That doesn't seem right.

Loka Loc: Seattle WA

All other fish are ones that normally aren’t in our waters. It is a little confusing but flounder are open year round. Read the regs again. It is written a little strange

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

From a practical point of view, you are allowed 15 in combination of flatfish(halibut excepted) greenling,sculpin and dogfish in combination. I may be missing a species, but I believe that covers all the fish in are 7 that you likely to catch, that do not have their own specific posted limits. All rockfish are closed all year.

Ted Wiegert Loc: WA. Blaine

Thank you