WA halibut travesty!-gctid804136

[CptCrunchie]

Last year, the tribes were allowed to long-line the entire Puget Sound a week before our opener. Don't know exactly where these were taken from, but it appears it is happening already.

[Pcpete]

This is so typical of the mismanagement of the resources. They time the sport season for after the main migration every year. The tribes are doing a very good job of working the state in every quarter related to fishing IMO.

The state allows a clipped fin fishery for salmon, the tribes have hatcheries. IMO, there isn't a lot of quality control getting those fins clipped on the way out resulting in a greater return to the hatchery and more roe to be sold to Japan.

[PugetScott]

Yikes! This is my first year going Halibut fishing in the Strait...

[CptCrunchie]

"PugetScott" post=804169 wrote:
Yikes! This is my first year going Halibut fishing in the Strait...

Welcome to hell. I'm not halibut fishing in WA this year, Instead, for the $7.35, I can get a day license to fish in Canada during their season, and I can fish when it is safe for me and my 'crew', and the tides are working for me. After witnessing what happened last year on our one day opener, it's just not worth it to me. Besides, Canada has a bigger biomass.

Looks like you have a berthed boat. At least you don't have to fight the geniuses who think they own the ramps. You should do okay.

[Pcpete]

You otta see the forklifts Dagmars uses! Right Scott?

Crunchie, do you cross the line, fish and return? Or do you have to report to customs on both sides?

[CptCrunchie]

"Pcpete" post=804231 wrote:
You otta see the forklifts Dagmars uses! Right Scott?

Crunchie, do you cross the line, fish and return? Or do you have to report to customs on both sides?

I call Canadian Customs when I cross the line. Since the first time, they have a record of my boat, who I am, and one of the three people I've taken across. I merely give them my WN number, who is with me, and tell them whether I will be making landfall, which I'm not. They give me a number to confirm I was fishing in Canada for when I return to the US with fish. I don't need to check back into the US.

One quick phone call! Need the number?

Canada rocks!

[builderdude]

"CptCrunchie" post=804241 wrote:

"Pcpete" post=804231 wrote:
You otta see the forklifts Dagmars uses! Right Scott?

Crunchie, do you cross the line, fish and return? Or do you have to report to customs on both sides?

I call Canadian Customs when I cross the line. Since the first time, they have a record of my boat, who I am, and one of the three people I've taken across. I merely give them my WN number, who is with me, and tell them whether I will be making landfall, which I'm not. They give me a number to confirm I was fishing in Canada for when I return to the US with fish. I don't need to check back into the US.

One quick phone call! Need the number?

Canada rocks!

Yes :wanting to do the same

[CptCrunchie]

"builderdude" post=804244 wrote:

"CptCrunchie" post=804241 wrote:

"Pcpete" post=804231 wrote:
You otta see the forklifts Dagmars uses! Right Scott?

Crunchie, do you cross the line, fish and return? Or do you have to report to customs on both sides?

I call Canadian Customs when I cross the line. Since the first time, they have a record of my boat, who I am, and one of the three people I've taken across. I merely give them my WN number, who is with me, and tell them whether I will be making landfall, which I'm not. They give me a number to confirm I was fishing in Canada for when I return to the US with fish. I don't need to check back into the US.

One quick phone call! Need the number?

Canada rocks!

Yes :wanting to do the same

Buy your Canadian license https://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/n...e: <br /> here.

Call 1-888-226-7277 once you enter Canadian water, and don't call them until you do. If you call them from the US, they won't take your info, because they have no jurisdiction until you are physically in Canada. Have your boat and personal info handy. They will ask you a number of questions. Once you have answered them, DON'T HANG UP until they give you a number. Write it down immediately! (I always write it on my fishing license.)

A few days after you return, you will receive two emails from them, one telling you a second email - a survey - will be coming shortly. It will ask what areas you fished and what you caught.

If you buy a one day license and log a fish the first time you go over, the next time you go over you have to add your prior catch to your new one day license, and so on. With halibut, you are allowed 6 per year, one per day with a 2 possession limit. They cannot be over 133cm (52.3") and only one can be over 83cm (32.6").

You MUST have a measuring device on or attached to the side of your boat so you can measure them in the water. I have a 133cm stick with a mark at 83cm. Trust me on this, that is the law and they don't treat violators lightly.

Chinook need to be logged on your card, but Coho, Pink and Sockeye don't.

Now, there is some confusion about whether you can anchor in Canadian water while fishing. The regs say no, but a number of websites claim it is okay, ....that they will look the other way as long as you are only fishing. Setting crab and shrimp traps are not considered anchoring.

For other regs, http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/r...ve a read here. Just know that they are currently updating their 2017 regs.

BTW, halibut fishing is currently OPEN in Canada.

[PugetScott]

I'm going to need to circle back to this. Perhaps Canadian waters will be part of our trip in May. Would be nice to fish more than just two days.

[builderdude]

Excellent info crunchie! Thank you. I've never fished for halibut but would love to give it a go at some point.

[Ruffryder]

You're missing out Dave will be headed to Sekui as usual.

[CptCrunchie]

"builderdude" post=804324 wrote:
Excellent info crunchie! Thank you. I've never fished for halibut but would love to give it a go at some point.

IMHO, best tasting fish in the ocean. YW

Thought about going across this Saturday, but Wifey wants to stay closer to home until it gets a tad warmer for her. Guess we'll do Blackmouth at Protection Island. I'm good with that; gotta keep the Wifey happy! :woohoo:

[Pcpete]

And here I am stuck on Maui.........

[Ruffryder]

Lingcod
..........

[Pcpete]

Lingcod cheeks