How to CATCH South Sound CHINOOK Salmon 2023 - June and early July

There's a lot most folks don't know about these May, June and early July South Sound Salmon, but we've got the data and the facts on our side about where these fish are headed and if you guessed "Not the South Sound" you would be more right than wrong!
What does that tell us about how to fish for these salmon when the seasons are open? If you take the right approach to these salmon, getting bit will be a much more common occurrence.
I show some footage from my successful chinook fishing solo trip in June, but I talk a bunch about what we know about these salmon and how that information can help you get it done when the season opens back up in July.
Or, perhaps you can't wait that long and you decide to head over to MA13 which is still open and has fish!

[@djmilhaus]

Looking forward to seeing your Neah trip. I'll be out there for the first time the following week with the fam. Little intimidated!

[@PNWBestLife]

That's awesome, you won't regret it! It's one of my favorite places! Enjoy it all, don't worry about how many fish you are "supposed to catch" and feel free to reach out with any questions.

[@beekay2447]

Yep, join the jiggers. All the ones that I have caught have had herring in their bellies. That is me in the Zodiac at 4:35 timestamp. Interesting information that they are Northern and Central Sound run. Look forward to seeing you out there again and you might see me in Neah Bay on a good day.

[@PNWBestLife]

Yup, same, herring in the belly. I love that you found my video! I was waiting for someone that was in the shot to comment :)

[@rayz671]

Thanks. Been wanting to fish point defiance more. Only been once.

[@PNWBestLife]

Should open Mar 1 for Blackmouth!

[@user-qi8dq6nl9s]

awesome video! Thinking of try next year's june. Do you know is there a chance for guys without a boat to catch these off the beach with Zzinger's or similar lures?

[@PNWBestLife]

Thank you! I’ve not done it from the beach, but I know some guys do it from the pier or from beach near the Point on super low tides

[@hookedfishingpnw]

Great vid! We can’t seem to get a fish until late July. Every time we go out from July 25- when the seasons closes we get at least 1

[@PNWBestLife]

Thanks! It’s a whole different ball game compared to the late July situation!

[@hookedfishingpnw]

@@PNWBestLife yeah

[@olegkrot1345]

Hey can you do a video on how your fish finder is set up for salmon fishing, I have a lowrance and when I am trolling I can’t seem to mark any bait fish or salmon, or send me a message one what settings is best to put the fish finder on,

[@PNWBestLife]

Interesting. I’m no expert on these, and really I haven’t changed many setting in my current or previous RayMarine, and it works great…

[@Jwebster0415]

I’m interested in learning to jig this year… what weight is your puget pounder jig and what size hooks? Appreciate it!

[@PNWBestLife]

I believe it’s the biggest one, 4.5 oz. 3/0 hooks

[@aa91316]

What are your thoughts for bank fishing these June fish? Or do you need to be in deep water? Thanks for the video!

[@PNWBestLife]

Never done it, but…there’s a bank fishing program at the point on really low tides…when you have access to those deeper waters. Chinook like to chase bait into structure, so…the lower the tide the easier you can access that spot. Try it in July when it re-opens!

[@pnwkayakadventures]

Learned a lot watching your videos! You’re awesome man. Hope to see you one day. Happy fishing!

[@PNWBestLife]

Thank you! That would be wonderful to meet someday on the water!

[@BBBB47884]

I can’t seem to find regs for MA9/10 for kings. Have they been released? I’m guessing the thurs-sat deal again but still only seem to see last years dates

[@PNWBestLife]

I have a page for this on PNWBestLife.com. They are tentative and announced as final via emergency rules until the permanent ones are released in a few weeks

[@PNWBestLife]

Here's my MA9 page: pnwbestlife.com/puget-sound-salmon-fishing/marine-area-9-chinook-salmon-fishing/

[@MongYi-fd9jd]

Nice. Are you at neahbay?

[@PNWBestLife]

Nope! Going on Sunday for a single all day trip on Monday like a psycho 😂

[@MongYi-fd9jd]

​@@PNWBestLife caught any kings at neahbay?

[@PNWBestLife]

Just got back from our trip, hooked 8 big kings!

[@MongYi-fd9jd]

@@PNWBestLife nice. How many landed? Post picture please

[@208flatheads3]

Area 11 ain't south sound bro.. love the videos tho been a fan since the beginning 👍

[@PNWBestLife]

Thanks! Where do your draw the line for South Sound?

[@208flatheads3]

@@PNWBestLife South of narrows bridge

[@tristanfielder5852]

How do I find if the fishery is closed or not online??? I can’t see anywhere that it says it is closed. Was planning on going out tomorrow :(

[@PNWBestLife]

It’s posted on the WDFW emergency rules site and on places for news like PNWBestLife.com

[@PNWBestLife]

Here's my MA11 chinook page: pnwbestlife.com/puget-sound-salmon-fishing/marine-area-11-chinook-salmon-fishing/

[@bertalter5811]

Why don't we see native encounters on the fish counts?

[@PNWBestLife]

That data is not published, but it’s there and it’s part of the decision making process for closing fisheries

[@bertalter5811]

@@PNWBestLife Why dont they publish the numbers if its part of the process?

[@PNWBestLife]

Actually, I just looked back at the WDFW News release posted here on my site: pnwbestlife.com/marine-area-11-fishing-suspended-june-2023/ "The current estimate of Chinook harvest through June 11 is 988 of the total harvest quota of 1,423 (69%); 1,036 of the total unmarked encounter limit of 901 (115%);" The above quote is taken directly from their news release.

[@bertalter5811]

@@PNWBestLife I seen that when it was released but that is after the fact data..... I was thinking it would be nice to see current data in the Creel reports so all to see rather than at the end when they make a closure and that was part of the reason. Transparency from the WDFW would be nice for a change. BTW thanks for responding to my questions....

[@PNWBestLife]

Yeah, absolutely, I love this stuff! So...the challenge is multi-fold for WDFW: 1. They would have to change the reporting format, do the IT work associated with including more data 2. The numbers are not straightforward. They are all estimated with test fishing and effort counting combined with creel data. This is a direct result of anglers deciding to lie in creel reports thinking they will get a longer season. Instead it undermined the credibility of the data and required MORE money to be spent on test fishing that could have gone to raising more fish, or hiring more enforcement or any number of other good uses rather than making up for dishonest data sharing.

[@SteelheadTed]

MA13 is south sound and it’s not shut down. Tacoma ain’t south sound! 😊

[@PNWBestLife]

Seriously? That's an interesting take :)

[@BBBB47884]

Haha! Ummmm…. Then what part of the sound is it?

[@SteelheadTed]

@@BBBB47884 if Tacoma is south sound than what is Olympia? South, south sound?

[@BBBB47884]

@@SteelheadTed no, Olympia is called still the south sound.

[@SteelheadTed]

@@PNWBestLife I did put a smiley face...