Northwest Fishing Reports

Hey all,

I'm relatively new to the fishing scene, particularly here in WA. As the waters begin to warm, I've been trying to find some fish hoping they are getting to the pre-spawn season. My understanding is that fish start moving out of deeper water as it nears 50-55 degrees. So far, I've had no luck. I haven't even seen any fish. Am I still too early? Water temps are still a bit down, but some I've tried have been around 50. I've tried a couple of different techniques but it is making me question whether I know what I'm doing. Help a brother out?

Techniques I've tried:

• Drop shot rig with plastic worm (to get deeper)
  Rattling crankbait
  Spinnerbait
  Chatterbait
  Jig w/Grub

techniques;

1- great, use different size worms , 3" to 6". 20 feet deep to 5 feet deep

2- deep cranks, and mid cranks, but keep trying shallow cranks

3 - spinnerbait, deep, shallow not yet

4 - chatterbait, same

5 - jig, worm, ned rig, neko rig, all the same catagory - deep and mid and shallow.

deep - fish around rocks gravel outside deep weedlines, even if the weeds aren't there yet.

mid - off deep weed lines, deep docks, steep shorelines close to spawning flats, drop offs.

shallow - docks, rocks, gravel, inside weed lines, spawning flats, ditches, humps, swim platforms.

As far as the 'time', any day now they should bite better. I saw my first Bass shallow the other day, of course those don't bite, they are cruisers that are thinking spawning, but it's too cold, but it never hurts to toss a worm at them. Water temp is 53 plus so keep at it. Your top location would be spawning flats and deep water close to a flat.

Thanks. I'll keep at it. Glad to know I'm working the right angles. I thought for sure I'd get some hits on the dropshot the other day...Are there any particular lakes you recommend? I'm in the Federal Way area. I've primarily been trying small local lakes like Doloff and then Tapps.

Any of the small lakes over there. Don't remember the names, and I've never fished any of them. Tapps of course can be great.