FISHING

Redondo Beach to Dash Point, as well as places from Vashon Island’s east side south to the Tacoma Narrows area.

October

Despite a tumultuous start to 2022’s fall and early-winter razor clam digging season on the Washington Coast, this is always one to keep on the radar of must-do activities. The “evil villain” has been a marine toxin known as domoic acid that can be harmful or fatal when consumed in sufficient quantities. Since 1991, when marine toxins were first detected on the Pacific Coast, outbreaks of domoic acid have prompted the cancellation of 26 percent of all planned harvest dates on coastal beaches, including all or most of several seasons, with the most recent occurring in fall/winter of 2022 and most of the 2020-2021 season.

While we won’t know how razor clam populations fare until summer surveys are taken in 2023 by WDFW, what we do know is the 2021-22 season generated oodles of success, with high harvest rates and participation. The start of the 202223 season was also setting up to be equally as good before toxin levels shut it down.

Razor clam digging is a huge money maker and last season the total value was a record $71.7 million. The 10year average is $27.5 million for small coastal communities that rely on these opportunities during the lean tourist times in autumn, winter and spring to help boost their economy.

November

Squid jigging around Puget Sound is a fun activity that doesn’t require a lot of fishing gear and can be enjoyed by everyone from a pier or on a boat. Migrating squid usually make an early appearance from September to October, but primetime is December through January. Squid jigging mainly is a night-time affair during a flood tide, as squid are attracted to lights beaming off the public piers. When fishing from a boat or pier many hang powerful lanterns just above the water’s surface to attract squid.

As for gear, try a 7- to 8-foot trout fishing rod and a spinning reel strung with light braid of, say, 5- to 6-pound test to help detect the subtle taps of squid. Use weighted luminous or light-up plastic jigs in pink, chartreuse, blue, red, green or orange. The jigs don’t have “hooks” and instead have upward-slanting sharp prongs. This means when you have a squid on your line keep steady pressure and don’t reel up quickly. Unweighted lures are also used by squid jiggers that attach to a 1-ounce lead weight. WDFW’s website (wdfw .wa.gov/fishing/basics/squid) has more information on catching squid.

December

While summer crabbing takes all the limelight, many anglers agree the winter season on Puget Sound is a more enjoyable time to be on the water and has less fishing pressure. It is also a time when Dungeness are highly sought after for their firm meat that provides a tasty holiday feast. Winter crab catch rates are often better, and it keeps folks busy when other saltwater fishing options are minimal.

Winter seasons for several marine areas of Puget Sound and Strait of Juan de Fuca are announced in late September or early October and usually the season is open daily through December 31. Coastal areas are also open year-round and the Columbia River estuary has become increasingly popular late in the year. Before you go, be sure to check the regulations. NS

Editor’s note: Mark Yuasa is a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife communications manager and longtime local fishing and outdoor writer.