Northwest Fishing Reports

I am new to the Seattle area and am interested in Mackerel fishing. I have no idea where to go, what to use, when the best time and season to fish for them, etc. If someone could help me out i would really appreciate it. Thanks

Coming from So Cal many years ago and fishing the coastal waters. We would catch mackerel for bait for yellowtail, tuna and big calico bass. I wasn't aware first off that anyone would actually want to catch and keep this oily fish and second I didn't know the waters around Seattle were warm enough for mackerel.

They are very abundant around So Cal.

Not sure about the sound, but we get a ton of them up on Vancouver Island when El Nino is in full swing. I know they aren't in huge numbers in the Strait of Georgia, so I am not sure how much action Juan de Fuca and Puget get. Seems like they mainly stick to the costal waters, even when the warmer currents are coming in.

Sorry, no mackerel (greenies) here. They are a killer bait fish in SoCal and are free for the taking. I used to plug my 4 scoop tank with them just outside Huntington Harbor. Then head for San Clemente Island for a weekend of yellowtail, white seabass and calico fishing. On the way home I would them troll them as a teaser in my marlin spread, making the marlin jigs deadly for multiple hook up days. Very effective all around bait.

I've caught them off and on in the San Juans fishing for Salmon. My boys wanted to try one and they each got about one bite in. Very strong tasting! Maybe ok if it was pickled. Not for me.

I've heard of pacific mackerek being caught in Shilshole bay in late summer some years but not enough to consistently target. People do catch them off the coast some.

we caught some last fishing trip to vancouver island. Saved um and used um for halibut bait, WOW theyre so oily and smelly, we hammered halis on them, our 120 pound halibut ate 2 WHOLE mackerel quicker than we could set the hook to reel him in! Both hooks in his throat!

last year we got 3 near port gamble, released. caught them at sekiu in the past. heard of them being caught at pt. defiance from a few guys but never saw them there myself.

Thanks guys for all your input on my question. I will have to look into Vancouver Island for the mackerel, nonetheless i thank everyone again. Tight Lines