Shore fishing Carkeek Park, Seattle

[pjfugazi]

Hi there folks. Sorry in advance for a newbie question.

I live close to Carkeek Park and despite it not being a super prime spot, the reality is that it's someplace that I can easily go for an hour here or there throughout the year.

I was hoping that people could offer both spin and fly rig suggestions or any other tips in general. I envision more fly fishing there, but also not against heaving buzz bombs in...if someone suggests there is value in that approach. Again, apologies for the naive and general question. Just hoping to get a little guidance.

Thanks very much!

[A9]

Send "The Quadfather" a PM or hopefully he sees this. I think he fishes there a bit and could probably give you some advice. Maybe even Gringo Pescador fishes that spot?

[The Quadfather]

Pjfugazi,

I live right on 4th near the park. It is a nice beach to fish with much less crowds than some other beaches. Are you talking about strictly fishing for Pinks? I fish there a lot throughout the year. When the Pinks are at their thickest in area 10, they can be caught from the shore throwing 2.5 or 3.0" buzz bombs. That being said, it still isn't nearly as productive as some of the other Puget Sound beaches. Watch the tides, and fish the 2 hour window before the incoming tide. Personaly, I like to wear chest waders so that you can get out about 30' into the surf at that part of the tide. If you hit it at a lower tide, you def. will want to wade. From the high tide mark going out there is a drop off of maybe 8'. However if you come into it when the tide is already out past that point.... then it is a long flat bottom and you are better off wading into it.
If you want to know about flies for beach fishing in general, you should google washington fly fishing (forget actual title) but that will get you there. I have a ton of their recommended flies for sea run cutthroat, resident cohos, etc. I am not the versed in the names of the flies though. Go through their salt water forum and you will find info. on fly selection. (baitfish patterns is a common term)

You can catch sea run cutthroat year round using silver or gold bladed spinners such as Vibrax # 3 or #4. Switch out the hook to a single barbless siwash style hook, also a little smaller on the hook from the single hook that the Vibrax comes with. Remember that cutts. are catch and release, and always must fish single barbless in the Sound. Same thing for the resident silvers. ( they can be kept, but use the same spinners, and single/barbless etc.)
And if you want to catch sculpin and flounder, you can do that all day long. They will hit your spinner just fine too.
Have fun, and send me a PM some time if you want some company on the beach. I will prob. be there at sunrise tomorrow if the tide is right.

[Gringo Pescador]

Yeah - what he said

I fish it often as well. I like to fish the hour before and hour after high tide (incoming>high>outgoing), that has been the best luck for me.

I pretty much only throw buzzbombs for pinks and resident coho's there. It is about 10 minutes from my house so is convenient to run down there for me as well.

I like the 3"-ers in pink, white/pink stripe, and white/green stripe. My setup for there is 10# mainline and a 10.5' Medium/Heavy rod. I only use hip waders and stand in water up to my knees as with this setup I can cast 50-75 yards. Just cast and jig back.

I was there last Saturday & Sunday evening. Lots of casts, but no hits and nothing jumping.