Episodes

  • Puget Sound Fishing Report: Spring Chinook, Early Coho, and a Massive Salmon Forecast for 2025

    Puget Sound Fishing Report: Spring Chinook, Early Coho, and a Massive Salmon Forecast for 2025
    Apr 23 2025
    This is Artificial Lure checking in with your Puget Sound fishing report for Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

    We’re blessed with a classic Pacific Northwest spring day on the Sound. Early risers caught first light right around 6:20 am, and we’ve got fishable daylight stretching until sunset at 8:02 pm. The weather is delivering seasonally cool temps in the upper 50s to low 60s, patchy clouds, and just a light breeze—ideal conditions to get your line wet and cover some water.

    Tidal movement is looking prime for active feeding windows. The morning high tide pushed up just over 12 feet at 7:26 am, and we’ll see a healthy drop to a -0.9 foot low at 1:43 pm. Expect another solid high tide swing up to about 13.5 feet just before 10 pm. Target those tide changes—especially the morning peak and when the water starts rushing back in mid-afternoon—to increase your odds.

    Fishing activity this past week has been lively, especially with the spring Chinook and early coho moving through. April’s Springer action was reported as excellent, with quotas being hit quickly and strong catch rates all around the middle to south Sound corridors. Anglers working the Tacoma-Vashon Area and down into the South Sound have brought in solid numbers of hatchery Chinook, and the upcoming salmon forecast is looking huge—over 6 million salmon expected in Puget Sound for 2025, with the pink run forecast at 7.76 million, which will be one for the record books[2][3].

    Recently, creel reports out of Point Defiance Boathouse and the public launch have shown steady catches of Chinook
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    2 mins
  • Puget Sound Fishing Report: Spring Kings, Cutthroat, and Pink Salmon Predictions for April 21, 2025

    Puget Sound Fishing Report: Spring Kings, Cutthroat, and Pink Salmon Predictions for April 21, 2025
    Apr 21 2025
    This is Artificial Lure with your Puget Sound fishing report for Monday, April 21st, 2025.

    We’re heading into a classic Pacific Northwest spring day. Sunrise rolled in at 6:20 am and anglers have daylight till sunset at 8:02 pm, giving plenty of opportunity to work the water before and after work. The weather is holding steady with highs in the upper 50s to low 60s, a few patchy clouds, and a gentle breeze – just what you want for a solid day on the Sound.

    Let’s talk tides. We’ve got a high tide hitting just over 12 feet at 7:26 am and another big push up to about 13.5 feet right before 10 pm. Low tide drops to -0.9 feet at 1:43 pm. These swings are perfect for moving bait and drawing in bigger fish. Focus your efforts around the morning high and the afternoon tidal change for the best bite window[3].

    The fishing scene remains hot. Recent creel reports show good numbers of spring Chinook, especially around the central Sound and Admiralty Inlet. Everett, Edmonds, and Point Defiance have all seen some nice kings brought to the nets, with several fish pushing the upper teens. Cutthroat trout action is also steady, especially along Vashon and in the Tacoma Narrows[1][5].

    This year’s salmon forecast is outstanding. We’re looking at over 6 million Chinook returning, and the pink forecast is a whopping 7.76 million, nearly double the ten-year average. That means a busy summer is ahead, but even right now, limits are being filled in record time at many boat launches[2][4].

    Lure and bait choices are straightforward. For Chinook, try trolling spoons like Coho Killers or 3.5-inch Kingfisher Spoons in green or herring patterns, paired with a flasher. Herring in a helmet, either whole or plug-cut, is producing well for those drifting or mooching. For cutthroat, small Needlefish spoons or a chartreuse hoochie behind a dodger has been hot, especially when fished close to the surface during tidal swings[5].

    For hotspots, check out Point No Point for early king action and the waters off Edmonds for both salmon and cutthroat. The Tacoma Narrows is also a solid bet, especially on the outgoing tide. Don’t sleep on the public piers in Seattle either; shore anglers are seeing a few pinks and resident coho already making an appearance.

    That’s your April 21st Puget Sound report. Good luck out there, keep those lines tight, and enjoy a stellar spring day on the water.
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    3 mins
  • Puget Sound Spring Chinook Fishing Heats Up, Pink Salmon Forecast Promising for the Months Ahead

    Puget Sound Spring Chinook Fishing Heats Up, Pink Salmon Forecast Promising for the Months Ahead
    Apr 20 2025
    Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your April 20, 2025, Puget Sound fishing report. If you are heading out today, you are in for one of the best starts to spring we have seen in a few years.

    First, your tidal and weather conditions. We’re experiencing large spring tides, with the morning ebb lining up nicely for a dawn patrol bite, especially in the mid- to south sound. Expect a partly cloudy start with a mild breeze out of the north and temps in the low 50s. Sunrise was at 6:06 AM, and sunset will be at 8:04 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to chase down some fish.

    The early spring Chinook, or Blackmouth, season just opened for Marine Areas 10 and 11 and the fishing pressure has definitely picked up. With the opener now set for April and running Wednesdays through Saturdays, boat ramps in spots like Shilshole and Point Defiance have been busy. Catch reports from the last few days show solid Chinook action, with fish running 5 to 10 pounds but some pushing into the teens. Anglers trolling flasher-hoochie setups in 100 to 140 feet of water are finding fish, especially as the tide switches. Mooching herring has also been productive around Jeff Head and Possession Bar. Remember, in Areas 10 and 11, the daily limit is two salmon, with only one being a clipped Chinook over 22 inches, and all wild Chinook and Chum must be released[5].

    There is plenty of excitement about this year’s pink salmon forecast. WDFW projects the 2025 Puget Sound pink run at 7.76 million fish, one of the largest on record, and while they’re not in yet, it’s a good sign for the months ahead. Chinook are the main game right now, but it won’t be long before those humpies show up and add even more action[4].

    For bait and tackle, most success is coming on green splatter back hoochies and 3.5-inch spoons like the Irish Cream or Cop Car behind a rotating flasher. If you are mooching, plug-cut herring is the local favorite. Colder water means keep your troll slow and near the bottom. Don’t be afraid to work the edges of the bait balls—Chinook are feeding heavy ahead of the tidal changes.

    Hot spots this weekend continue to be Point Defiance in Area 11 and Jeff Head in Area 10. Both have seen consistent numbers of keepers over the last few checks, and there’s plenty of bait holding fish in both areas. Possession Bar has also reported some solid action for trollers early in the morning.

    That’s it for today’s Puget Sound report. Tight lines, take only what you need, and enjoy the best of spring fishing!
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    3 mins
  • Puget Sound Fishing Report: Chinook, Pinks, and Cutthroat in Prime Time

    Puget Sound Fishing Report: Chinook, Pinks, and Cutthroat in Prime Time
    Apr 19 2025
    Artificial Lure here with your Puget Sound fishing report for April 19, 2025.

    We’re heading into prime time for spring salmon fishing, especially with the early Chinook (blackmouth) season open in Marine Areas 10 and 11. The opener started April 2nd and runs Wednesdays to Saturdays, so today is a green light if you want to target these prized fish. Most of the catches lately are Chinook in the 6 to 12-pound range, with a few bigger fish being picked up by trollers and moochers working deeper water off Jefferson Head, Richmond Beach, and the Tacoma Narrows. Remember, daily limit is 2 salmon, but only 1 clipped Chinook over 22 inches, and be sure to release all wild Chinook and chum.

    As for pink salmon, this year’s forecast is huge—over 7.7 million pinks expected to return, which is the third-largest in history for Puget Sound. While the peak pink run is still a few months off, early scouts are already showing up in the southern Sound, so it’s worth trying small pink hoochies or buzz bombs if you’re looking for variety.

    Cutthroat trout are also showing strong in the central and south Sound, with anglers reporting good action on small spoons and streamer flies worked near the surface at creek mouths. The beaches around Point No Point and Dash Point have seen consistent catches.

    Today’s weather looks favorable for a long day on the water: mostly cloudy with highs around 54, light southwest winds under 10 knots, and only a slight chance of drizzle in the late afternoon. Sunrise was at 6:08 a.m., with sunset at 8:02 p.m., giving us a full day to chase those spring fish.

    Tides today are moderate, with an early morning incoming tide peaking around 8:17 a.m. and a solid outgoing push through the midday. The morning high is your best bet for Chinook, especially if you can be on your spot early.

    Best lures right now are 3.5-inch green or white/glow spoons like Coho Killers and Kingfishers, fished behind a flasher 70 to 120 feet down. For mooching, try herring in a green-label brine. If you’re after resident coho or cutthroat, smaller needlefish hoochies and smelt-pattern flies are working great.

    Hotspots to hit today include Jefferson Head for Chinook—lots of bait, good structure, and several limits reported already this week—and the Tacoma Narrows for an early mixed bag. For cutthroat, try the beaches at Point No Point or along the Narrows shoreline.

    That’s your Puget Sound roundup for April 19. Tight lines and see you on the water!
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    3 mins
  • Puget Sound Chinook Bonanza: April Salmon Fishing Heats Up

    Puget Sound Chinook Bonanza: April Salmon Fishing Heats Up
    Apr 18 2025
    Puget Sound Fishing Report for April 18, 2025

    Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Puget Sound fishing report for Friday, April 18th. We’re heading into a classic Northwest spring day, with partly cloudy skies, comfortable temps from the upper 40s into the mid-50s, and gentle winds making for smooth conditions on the Sound. Sunrise was at 6:18 AM and you’ll have daylight until about 8:00 PM, giving you plenty of hours to chase that fish of a lifetime out on the water.

    Tides are moving nicely today, with an outgoing tide through mid-morning and the flood starting to push in around late morning. These shifts are prime times for salmon fishing, as baitfish get moved around and predators come out to play.

    Chinook, or “blackmouth,” are the main event right now in Marine Areas 10 and 11. The early spring Chinook fishery has been lively since the April opener, with good numbers of hatchery Chinook over the 22-inch minimum hitting the decks. Anglers trolling deep—anywhere from 90 to 200 feet, staying within 10 feet of the bottom—are doing especially well.

    As for lures, the clear winners are Silver Horde Kingfisher spoons, especially in “Cookies and Cream” or “Irish Cream” patterns. Tomic Plugs (602 or 603) run 30 to 40 feet behind the downrigger clip are also hot. Mooching with brined herring or vertical jigging with Puget Pounder Jigs is producing—bring out the UV and glow gear for deeper, low-light conditions. If you want to try something different, the SpinFish bait-holding plug stuffed with canned tuna and Bloody Tuna scent has been getting savage strikes.

    Reports from last week show nice classes of spring Chinook being caught near Jeff Head, Kingston Bowl, and the south side of President’s Point in Area 10, especially as the tide changes. In Area 11, Point Defiance, Clay Banks, the Slag Pile, and Dalco Point are seeing good action on both the outgoing and incoming tides. Make sure you’re trolling close to those rocky contours and switching sides with the tide.

    If you’re after variety, the lingcod bite is picking up in the shallower rock piles, so gear up with soft plastics or large jigs if you want to mix it up.

    There’s an uptick coming for pink salmon later this summer, with the forecast for over 7.7 million pinks in the Sound—so keep your light spoons and pink hoochies handy for the coming months.

    Quick recap of today’s hot spots:
    - Marine Area 10: Jeff Head, Kingston Bowl, President’s Point
    - Marine Area 11: Point Defiance (Slag Pile, Clay Banks), Dalco Point

    Remember, get your gear to the bottom, follow the contour lines, and check WDFW updates before heading out in case of any last-minute rule changes. Enjoy the calm weather and tight lines to everyone hitting the Sound today!
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    3 mins
  • Puget Sound Chinook Bonanza Continues - Dial in Your Gear for Best Results

    Puget Sound Chinook Bonanza Continues - Dial in Your Gear for Best Results
    Apr 16 2025
    Puget Sound anglers, Artificial Lure here with your April 16th, 2025, fishing report, straight from the water.

    First, let’s talk weather. Today’s skies are partly cloudy, with morning temps around 47°F and inching up to the mid-50s by the afternoon. Winds are light, making for comfortable runs and good water conditions. Sunrise hit at 6:39 AM, and sunset will be at 7:39 PM, so there’s lots of daylight to chase your target fish[2].

    The tide is swinging today—focus efforts around the outgoing tide for your best odds and shift with the turn. Outgoing tides push bait into classic Chinook holding spots like the south side of Jeff Head or inside Kingston’s bowl in Marine Area 10. If you’re fishing the flood, President’s Point and Kingston’s outer bar get the nod. Down in Area 11, work the Slag Pile or Clay Banks near Point Defiance on the ebb; when it floods, Dalco Point and the 90-150 foot contour in front of Quartermaster Harbor are reliable[2][5].

    The blackmouth Chinook bite continues to impress since the season’s opener on April 2. Quality hatchery Chinook over 22 inches are getting boxed, and most boats working the contours near bottom at 90-200 feet are reporting good action. Keep in mind, both areas are managed by encounter quotas, so always double-check the WDFW’s latest updates before you commit to a big day[5].

    Best-performing lures right now include Silver Horde Kingfisher spoons in “Cookies and Cream” and “Irish Cream” colors, fished 30-40 feet behind your downrigger clip. Tomic Plugs—especially #602 and #603—are another go-to. For deeper water or low-light periods, UV or glow finishes are money. Moochers are scoring with brined herring, while jig anglers doing their thing with Puget Pounder Jigs are also having success. Keep your presentations tight to bottom, occasionally ticking gravel—the blackmouth are hugging the structure[2][5][6][10].

    Other hot baits: Gold Star Yamashita #35 Octopus Squid in green dot or purple haze, Ace Hi Flies, and traditional flasher-spoon combos all have a place on your spread right now[6].

    Today’s hotspots:
    - Marine Area 10: South Jeff Head, Kingston bowl, President’s Point.
    - Marine Area 11: Point Defiance Clay Banks, Slag Pile, Dalco Point[2][5].

    As for other action, lakes like American and Cushman are offering up fair trout and cutthroat bites, but the main event is definitely Chinook on the Sound[7].

    That wraps it up—pay attention to those tides and run your gear near the bottom with a focus on UV and glow patterns for best results. Tight lines, and see you on the water!
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    3 mins
  • Catching Spring Chinook in Puget Sound's Hotspots on April 14, 2025

    Catching Spring Chinook in Puget Sound's Hotspots on April 14, 2025
    Apr 14 2025
    The Puget Sound fishing scene today, April 14, 2025, offers promising opportunities for anglers targeting Chinook salmon, particularly in Marine Areas 10 (Seattle-Bremerton) and 11 (Tacoma-Vashon). The weather is cooperative with partly cloudy skies and temperatures rising from a crisp 47°F in the morning to mid-50s by the afternoon. Sunrise was at 6:39 AM, and sunset will be at 7:39 PM, providing plenty of daylight for action on the water. The tides are crucial today; focus on the outgoing tide at hotspots like Jeff Head and Kingston’s inner bowl in Marine Area 10, as well as Point Defiance’s Slag Pile and Clay Banks in Area 11. During the incoming tide, President’s Point in Area 10 and Dalco Point in Area 11 are excellent bets.

    The Chinook fishery, which opened April 2, has been producing well. Anglers are seeing good numbers of legal-sized Chinook over the 22-inch limit for hatchery-marked fish. These spring Blackmouth are biting best close to the bottom in depths of 90-200 feet. Be prepared to troll deep and use gear that stays within 10 feet of the seabed.

    Effective lures for Chinook today include:
    - Silver Horde Kingfisher spoons in patterns like "Cookies and Cream" and "Irish Cream."
    - Tomic Plugs (#602 or #603) with a setback of 30-40 feet behind the downrigger clip.
    - Gold Star 3.5 Octopus Squid in colors like Green Dot and Purple Haze, rigged with flashers.
    If you’re mooching or jigging, brined herring and Puget Pounder Jigs are excellent for consistent results. UV and glow lures are also effective, particularly in deeper, low-light conditions.

    Recent reports indicate Marine Area 10’s Jeff Head and Kingston areas have been producing well during tidal transitions. In Marine Area 11, Point Defiance’s Slag Pile and Dalco Point are solid choices. For those without downriggers, mooching with bait like Red Label Herring remains a solid option.

    With manageable weather, optimal tidal changes, and a healthy Chinook salmon run in progress, today is shaping up to be a stellar day for fishing in Puget Sound. Check regulations to stay updated on quotas and emergency closures. Tight lines!
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    3 mins
  • Puget Sound Spring Fishing Report April 13 2025 - Chinook, Halibut & Hot Spots

    Puget Sound Spring Fishing Report April 13 2025 - Chinook, Halibut & Hot Spots
    Apr 13 2025
    April 13, 2025

    Good morning, anglers! It’s shaping up to be another fantastic spring day for fishing in Puget Sound. Let’s dive into today’s report, covering the latest conditions, catches, and tips for making the most of your day on the water.

    **Weather and Conditions:**
    Expect calm waters with partly cloudy skies and temperatures starting at 47°F in the morning and climbing to the mid-50s by the afternoon. Sunrise was at 6:37 AM, with sunset at 7:41 PM, leaving plenty of daylight for a full day of fishing. Tidal movements are critical today: focus on the outgoing tide at Jeff Head or Kingston’s inner bowl, and switch to the incoming tide near President’s Point or Kingston’s outer bar in Marine Area 10. In Marine Area 11, target the Slag Pile or Dalco Point on the Vashon side during tide shifts.

    **Current Fishing Activity:**
    Chinook salmon fishing is the primary draw right now, with the early spring season in full swing. Marine Areas 10 and 11 have been producing solid numbers of legal-sized Chinook, many over the 22-inch minimum. Anglers are enjoying an uptick in catches of hatchery-marked fish, as the season started off well on April 2. For halibut enthusiasts, fishing has also been open since April 3 in designated areas, with anglers reporting some success in deeper waters.

    **Hot Spots to Hit Today:**
    1. **Marine Area 10:** Jeff Head and Kingston are consistently productive. Stick to the south side of Jeff Head on an outgoing tide and President’s Point during the incoming tide.
    2. **Marine Area 11:** The Clay Banks, Slag Pile, and Dalco Point remain top spots. Focus on depths of 90 to 150 feet to stay in the Chinook action.

    **Gear and Techniques:**
    Trolling remains the most effective method for Chinook. Use gear set 90-200 feet deep, staying within 10 feet of the bottom. Successful setups include:
    - Silver Horde Kingfisher spoons in "Cookies and Cream" or "Irish Cream."
    - Tomic Plugs (#602 or #603), rigged 30-40 feet behind the downrigger clip.
    - Traditional mooching with brined herring.
    Vertical jigging with Puget Pounder Jigs also works well, especially in deeper zones. Opt for lures with UV and glow finishes, as they perform best in low-light underwater conditions.

    **Recent Catches:**
    Anglers in Marine Areas 10 and 11 have reported consistent encounters with Chinook, with hatchery-marked fish making up the bulk of the take home. The season’s adjusted dates appear to be timed perfectly for larger fish, with Blackmouth salmon actively feeding on herring and candlefish.

    **Tips for Success:**
    - Match your lure size to the bait in the water. A 3.5-inch hoochie or Ace Hi Fly paired with a flasher works wonders.
    - Focus on rocky contour lines and keep your gear near the bottom.
    - Check WDFW emergency rule updates to ensure your area is open and within the allowable encounter guidelines.

    Tight lines, everyone! Make the most of this beautiful spring day on Puget Sound. Keep safety in mind and don’t forget to log your catches. Let’s reel in some trophies!
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    4 mins