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I hit the south end of Lake Union at Lake Union Park around 10:30 in the morning. There is a small bridge (blue mark on map) that I fished underneath for about 2 hours. Had a jig and bobber out for about 45 mins without a bite on my 5’6” light Lamiglas trout rod and Pflueger President spinning reel with Fireline 6lb test. Tried to be persistent and patient and switched depths and colors of grubs with no luck. Decided to switch it up to a small blue and green crank bait hopping for either some crappie or bass. Fished for about 15 mins and saw a small blip in the water and I assumed it was a fish so I casted the crankbait 15 feet pass the blip and slowly reeled in and WHAM! Fish on! I set the hook and my pole bent completely in half! I thought it was a huge LMB, but it didn’t fight like one. I tried putting a little leverage on the pole and tightened up the drag and I heard my pole crack! So I lessened the drag and let the fish run. It stripped line like crazy! It took off towards the middle of the lake and then suddenly veered to the left and headed straight for some old pilings. I thought for sure the line would catch a piling and snap and I’d loose the fish and my crank for sure. But it changed its mind and headed back out across the water. It probably took at least 50 to 60 yards or line before it tired. I kept the line tight and my pole was bent to its limit. I played the fish for 5 mins and I felt the fish grow tired so I started to reel em in. 30 feet out it took off again! This whole time I’m wondering what the hell kinda fish is this…? Couldn’t be a LMB cause they tire pretty quickly. I though smallie, but this had to of been some world record for a SMB. I played the fish again for about 3 mins and when it grew tired again I started to reel it in again. Some lady walking across the bridge watched for a little and asked what kinda fish I had on. I let her know it was an extremely pissed off bass and she wished me luck and took off. As I was reeling in the tired fish, not 10 feet away from shore it breached the water head first. My eyes grew wide and to my surprise it was a HUGE freaking salmon! As soon as it went back into the water I felt my line go limp! NOOOOOO!!! Not sure how it got off cause I had 2 treble hooks on the crank. My guess is that I foul hooked it somewhere near the head and the hooks just ripped out. I’m not even sure what kinda of salmon, but it was bright silver and it had the beginnings of a beak. My guess is either a Coho or Chinook. It had to have been 3 feet long and at least 15 lbs, but I only got a glimpse. I now it sounds crazy, but someone’s gotta believe me! I completely forgot that salmon run through Lake Union into Lake Washington, but what the hell was a salmon doing this far south and shallow in the lake? I had to share this crazy story with my WashingtonLakes brethren. Believe it or not, but it’s the truth! I rated it a 5 star for the experience, but I didn’t land a single fish.

fishingboy

10/30/2008 6:11:00 PM

hey i believe you! where did you buy the crank? What you had on was a coho/silver salmon! great job! But off a crankbait? weird?!... what was your location in south lake Unoiun?

Toni

10/30/2008 6:21:00 PM

They catch salmon in rivers with plugs...how much different are they from crank baits to a fish?

anakpinoy4

10/30/2008 7:53:00 PM

I marked my fishing location on the map provided which was on the very southwest corner of the lake. I got the crankbait off eBay, but they aren't your typical crankbait. These are about the size of a double A battery (About 2 inches long) and only dive about 3 - 4 feet. Typical river plugs are 4 to 7 inches long so what I used it completely different in size and presentation, but I suppose if a fish sees something appitizing it's gonna take a bite regardless. I used the blue, black and silver color, but I wasn't looking for salmon I was looking for bass or crappie so it was a complete shock to see it let alone get to play it. Anyway, I'm glad someone believes my story!

If anyone is interested in what I used here's the eBay link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/8-x-50mm-NEW-SHALLOW-DIVING-CRANKBAIT-LURES-3D-EYES_W0QQitemZ300268918694QQihZ020QQcategoryZ36153QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

BassinBomber

10/30/2008 8:31:00 PM

Good job PINOY,..2 bad you didn't bring her in,..we believe you bro,..don't even trip,..the Fall Bite is pretty tough right now,..believe me I've been out allot,..I'm still gonna keep trying until it gets 2 cold,..and then i'll probly still go out,..LOL,..anyways keep tossin that line bro! "Mahbuhay Filipinas"!!!!

BB

bob johansen

10/31/2008 7:13:00 AM

Great report and a good read. Well written. I too believe you completely. I was fishing Lake Washington years ago from a canoe looking for smallmouth bass. I too was throwing a crankbait and hooked up with a 16 pound steelhead on a light spinning rod. I was fishing with my son and we had no landing net. It took about a half hour and the steelie must have towed us about 150 feet during the battle. It finally tired enough that my son was able to grab it by the gill plate and put into the boat.

mikel

10/31/2008 7:24:00 AM

thanks for the report it kept me interested like reading the hunting and fishing stories people put in the magazines that is one that i would put in for sure hopefully you hook into another one good luck and tight lines, but this time dont break the rod

topdawg47

10/31/2008 8:56:00 AM

Exactly where i was at last monday..

topdawg47

10/31/2008 8:56:00 AM

The new lake union park it looks like

bpm2000

10/31/2008 11:18:00 AM

there is salmon in there frequently, nothing unbelievable at all.

RobertW

10/31/2008 12:52:00 PM

All those salmon coming through the Ballard Locks come into Lake Union first and then disperse from there, awesome story, I enjoyed reading it.

Anonymous

10/31/2008 10:21:00 PM

Great report and many thanks for the map. I have been meaning to fish this lake but haven't obviously made a commitment, unfortunately I just ruptured and had surgery on my achilles tendon so I will be out at least 4 month so it is refreshing to read stories such as yours and other who brave the elements and still fish. This is normally the time I try to go and fish Echo Lake off 99 at least once a week until the next plant weather permitting. Good luck and keep on keepin' on,

Dave

11/1/2008 9:06:00 AM

Great report. I have also caught salmon on my medium weight trout rod and it's a blast, so good for you. And, you also got to see the fish as well which is a plus. Thanks for the report.

clam man

12/2/2008 11:17:00 AM

Good post. My pal got his boat caught up in some tribal gill nets at the south end of the lake a few weeks ago, so there sure are salmon down there! I can't wait to fish this lake again.

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