Lake Washington.

[ProCrafter]

Was able to get out for the first full day after getting sick to pre-fish for a tournament next week and found two good patterns....

Largemouth on flats skipping senkos near/under docks and Shallow flat Jerkbait Smallies. Good to get out for the day even in the rain and find some good fish!!

[motodmast]

good to see, should see a few more active fish up shallow with this little warm front we have, supposed to be almost 70 today and 65 tomorrow. hoping to get out on sawyer or meridian today or tomorrow

[ProCrafter]

Our club and another are sharing a permit this weekend on the lake and will be weighing in at 3PM Sat and hopefully 2-3 PM Sunday and I will post updates in the tournament section and here.

[iceintheveins]

How's the largemouth fishery in Lake Washington?

[Traveler2586]

Our club and another are sharing a permit this weekend on the lake and will be weighing in at 3PM Sat and hopefully 2-3 PM Sunday and I will post updates in the tournament section and here.

 

You've got my curiosity up, what do you mean when you say are "sharing a permit"?

[ProCrafter]

When I say Sharing a permit... first I must explain we here in Washington State are heavily over managed by the state fish and wildlife department where we are required to acquire permits and each tournament. and each boat is identified on the water with a banner stretched around the engine cowling. Our permits are requested the summer prior to the season and are flexible to change within 30 days of the start of the event... each lake is allowed only two tournament weekends a month. Normally it has been $24.00 for each tournament permit requested with a max of 7 per club but this last year they upped the ante to an additional $70.00 per packet request so... $70.00 first try of 7 dates... any changes or conflicting dates... re-apply for an additional $70.00 and so on so clubs have been pairing up to help alleviate some of the costs. Oh... since 2008... our state has gone from 32 clubs to maybe 18..... economy and the over management of OUR resources has taken it's toll. 

[ProCrafter]

On another note it took 32+ pounds to win the tournament on Lake Washington and most of those fish in the winners 10 fish were Smallmouth!!! I had a great morning as at 8 AM had a nice 4-1/2 -5 pound Largemouth but lost two more and at 10 AM had a Prop Shaft fracture that caused me to get towed in and off the water......... hoping for some warranty luck to get back going.... not a good start.

[ProCrafter]

Here is the some of the winners fish. Tony Lofranco is the name he also might look familiar as he fished the TBF championship a year ago.

[Traveler2586]

When I say Sharing a permit... first I must explain we here in Washington State are heavily over managed by the state fish and wildlife department where we are required to acquire permits and each tournament. and each boat is identified on the water with a banner stretched around the engine cowling. Our permits are requested the summer prior to the season and are flexible to change within 30 days of the start of the event... each lake is allowed only two tournament weekends a month. Normally it has been $24.00 for each tournament permit requested with a max of 7 per club but this last year they upped the ante to an additional $70.00 per packet request so... $70.00 first try of 7 dates... any changes or conflicting dates... re-apply for an additional $70.00 and so on so clubs have been pairing up to help alleviate some of the costs. Oh... since 2008... our state has gone from 32 clubs to maybe 18..... economy and the over management of OUR resources has taken it's toll. 

 

Wow, where I can agree with limiting the number of tournaments on any given weekend, I can't agree with the process and the cost.

 

I fish the tidal Potomac which is the boundary between Maryland and Virginia, and neither state to my knowledge has any limitation on the number of tournaments or boats in a tournament.  Maryland does ask you to register your club, but they don't put limits on boats or events.  (maybe someone else here can add more detail to this)

 

Therefore, I see tournaments most every weekend at a local state park; in fact I've seen as many as three on the same day and tournaments being held from other ramps, and the Va side of the river, all at the same time.  The pressure is so bad at times it's hard to find a place to fish without being pressured to move on by other boaters.  I've even had other anglers cast over my line; so, for years now I have given up on fishing on weekends unless I have a non-boater that can only fish on the weekend.

 

The result of this pressure is seen in small bags at the weigh-in's, and the average keeper is just legal size.  So I think I would love to see MD & VA place realistic limits on tournaments in an effort to improve the fishery.

 

Just my two cents. 

[Glenn]

Well, you need to understand that Washington State Depart of Fish and Wildlife has gone overboard in regulating "fishing derbies", as they like to call them.  They have taken extreme measures to make them all but illegal.

 

First off, the WDOFW does not like "derbies" of any sort, regardless of species ("why" is open to interpretation).  So they've taken measures to limit them as much as possible.  Take, for example, on large lakes, only 2 weekends per month can have tournaments, and those are limited to 250 boats max.  Smaller lakes have greater restrictions, such as a 35 boat limit.

 

Second, Washington State believes all fish are invasive unless they're a trout or salmon.  So there's very little - if any - management of warm water species.  In fact, there are ongoing efforts to stifle warm water angling, and to even kill off warmwater species, in the name of the almighty salmon.  For example, this year they imposed a single, barbless hook restriction on one of the most popular and best smallmouth fisheries in the state due to freshwater salmon in the lake.  It was met with very vocal opposition from the bass community, but was flat out ignored.

 

I can go on and on, but you get the gist.  The WDOFW hates bass and tournaments, and would love nothing more than to see them go away forever.

 

Thing is, it's backfiring.  I know of several clubs that are simply forgoing the whole permit process and holding tournaments without them; and also taking it upon themselves to improve bass habitat in lakes in rivers (again, without permits) - thumbing their nose at the WDOFW in the process.  Not that I approve of such actions, but I can understand them.

[iceintheveins]

Well, you need to understand that Washington State Depart of Fish and Wildlife has gone overboard in regulating "fishing derbies", as they like to call them.  They have taken extreme measures to make them all but illegal.

 

First off, the WDOFW does not like "derbies" of any sort, regardless of species ("why" is open to interpretation).  So they've taken measures to limit them as much as possible.  Take, for example, on large lakes, only 2 weekends per month can have tournaments, and those are limited to 250 boats max.  Smaller lakes have greater restrictions, such as a 35 boat limit.

 

Second, Washington State believes all fish are invasive unless they're a trout or salmon.  So there's very little - if any - management of warm water species.  In fact, there are ongoing efforts to stifle warm water angling, and to even kill off warmwater species, in the name of the almighty salmon.  For example, this year they imposed a single, barbless hook restriction on one of the most popular and best smallmouth fisheries in the state due to freshwater salmon in the lake.  It was met with very vocal opposition from the bass community, but was flat out ignored.

 

I can go on and on, but you get the gist.  The WDOFW hates bass and tournaments, and would love nothing more than to see them go away forever.

 

Thing is, it's backfiring.  I know of several clubs that are simply forgoing the whole permit process and holding tournaments without them; and also taking it upon themselves to improve bass habitat in lakes in rivers (again, without permits) - thumbing their nose at the WDOFW in the process.  Not that I approve of such actions, but I can understand them.

 

Colorado is bad about this too, if not worse. There isn't any biological justification for barbless hooks either, one reason I would never live in Washington again. Tired of gamefish being treated as "invasive" when they aren't native, and in fact they do little harm to native fish anyway. That's what happens when you have unaccountable state management agencies.

[iceintheveins]

Curious Glenn, which lake did they put a single barbless reg on?

[Traveler2586]

Well, you need to understand that Washington State Depart of Fish and Wildlife has gone overboard in regulating "fishing derbies", as they like to call them.  They have taken extreme measures to make them all but illegal.

 

First off, the WDOFW does not like "derbies" of any sort, regardless of species ("why" is open to interpretation).  So they've taken measures to limit them as much as possible.  Take, for example, on large lakes, only 2 weekends per month can have tournaments, and those are limited to 250 boats max.  Smaller lakes have greater restrictions, such as a 35 boat limit.

 

Second, Washington State believes all fish are invasive unless they're a trout or salmon.  So there's very little - if any - management of warm water species.  In fact, there are ongoing efforts to stifle warm water angling, and to even kill off warmwater species, in the name of the almighty salmon.  For example, this year they imposed a single, barbless hook restriction on one of the most popular and best smallmouth fisheries in the state due to freshwater salmon in the lake.  It was met with very vocal opposition from the bass community, but was flat out ignored.

 

I can go on and on, but you get the gist.  The WDOFW hates bass and tournaments, and would love nothing more than to see them go away forever.

 

Thing is, it's backfiring.  I know of several clubs that are simply forgoing the whole permit process and holding tournaments without them; and also taking it upon themselves to improve bass habitat in lakes in rivers (again, without permits) - thumbing their nose at the WDOFW in the process.  Not that I approve of such actions, but I can understand them.

 

That is rough,,, that's the best way I can put it here.  It would appear the WDOFW just does not understand the economics of the Bass Fishing industry on local recreational areas.  How does the local press feel about all of this?  It could be worth mounting an email campaign by anglers and clubs to everyone from your Senators, Governor, and on down, as well as the press; think about getting B.A.S.S. and other industry leaders involved.  But be careful what you wish for, as I would not wish the pressure we have on anyone else.

[Glenn]

It's Lake Sammamish.

 

As for mounting "pressure", I wish it were that easy.  However, there's several gigantic lobby industries and special interest groups controlling the funding and politics surrounding this.  From commercial fishermen, to Native Americans, to environmentalists as well as many other special interest groups...it's all about the almighty salmon.  And you have to throw in Canada and Oregon when you include the Columbia river, not to mention the power companies and farming industries.

 

If each and every bass angler in Washington State united and made their presence known, they would be but just a tiny fraction of the size of the smallest special interest group about salmon.  We just don't stack up. 

[iceintheveins]

Truly tragic. Bass, pike, walleye, catfish, and others are often killed in Colorado, all in the name of, get this, suckers, chubs, and SQUAWFISH. They won't manage or stock bass in most of our lakes for fear they will harm the above named trash fish. All the while, it hasn't helped their numbers to kill sport fish. It is the habitat alteration, just like in Washington, NOT nonnative fish. I'm REAL tired of this native fish only, kill the nonnatives mentality that is spreading across the west like a cancer. It is for this reason I do not trust and downright DESPISE many fishery managers and biologists. It's not about facts and science, and to hell with what the sportsmen and public want. It's all politics.

[Traveler2586]

As Ice says, this is all so tragic.  It's hard to understand sometimes how people can get so short sighted and raciest over the pure and natural species in their waters.  Now I understand why you fly across the country to fish.

[ProCrafter]

Here is a pic of the lower unit after my sudden departure of the shaft and prop........ Warranty will cover it but it still stinks!!!

[Traveler2586]

Here is a pic of the lower unit after my sudden departure of the shaft and prop........ Warranty will cover it but it still stinks!!!

 

OMG, how did that happen, did you hit something or did it just snap on a hole shot???????

[iceintheveins]

OUCH that stinks

[ProCrafter]

Damage was probable from the initial prop strike 1-1/2 years ago... they fixed the lower unit but left the original prop shaft in place after an inspection... slipshod work I'd say... the new lower unit will be delivered tomorrow and it is on warranty!!!! Hopefully start the break in on Saturday.

[Bmurr7]

So I know this is an older thread but I didn't want to make a new lake Washington thread. I fish Lake Wa but haven't fished it much in late fall or winter and want to. The past few weeks I've been catching a smallmouth here and there in about 25-30ft of water but they're becoming tougher to find. Anyone been finding a good pattern here lately or know of a good winter pattern for lake Washington? Thanks!

[Oregon Native]

Glenn,

Just saw this....dang you are so right about the great Pacific Northwest.  Oregon is just about like Washington....Bass is trash.  They are both slime rocket states for sure.  So glad we have been blessed to be able to move to Tennessee....the attitudes are sooooo different.   Lived there for almost sixty years.  Wishing you all the best out there....seriously.

[Bmurr7]

Yep, most anglers here are all about the salmon. Salmon fishing is great, awesome to eat, good fighting fish but for those of us here in WA who are all about bass fishing it would be nice to have a little bit more support from the state, or rather just not as many restrictions or difficulties in the tournament side things. I'd love to be able to get down to the south for a while.

[iceintheveins]

The problem is the eco purists who think "endangered species at all costs" especially when an introduced fish really isn't the problem, the big money dams and water users are the real reason for the decline. State biologists can be REALLY dishonest too, and some people are too pig headed to see that.

 

A good policy is to take anything a government biologist says with a spoonful of salt until you do your own research with other anglers and verify it yourself. Colorado is the worst of the worst on this, and Washington/Oregon are pretty bad too, not to mention California. Most states out west suck at managing fish IMO.

[drodriguez]

So that's why this state is such a pain to fish... Idiots in congress. Goodbye WA, hello North Carolina.