Puget Sound Fishing Report: Coho Wind Down, Chums Ramp Up, and Steelhead Start to Show

Artificial Lure here, bringing you the Puget Sound fishing report for Seattle and the surrounding waters, Tuesday, November 11th, 2025. The fall pattern holds strong—temps are sitting in the mid-to-high 40s under a solid blanket of gray, with light south winds at 5 to 10 knots. Rain is expected, and the ceiling’s low, so layer up, grab the Gore-Tex, and expect wet decks. Sunrise was at 6:57 AM, and sunset will come early at 4:48 PM, meaning you’ve got a narrow window for prime daylight bites—especially those powerful tidal switches. Today’s tides are working in our favor: according to NOAA, we saw a strong high around 6:49 AM (just over 11 feet), dropping to a modest low just after noon (about 5.8 feet), then a reload to a solid high at 5:32 PM (over 11 feet again). Those major swings around dawn and dinner are your ticket—predators are on the prowl when that current is moving. Let’s talk bite. Salmon continue to steal the show. Coho are winding down, but you can still get into steady numbers, especially north Sound hotspots like Tulalip, Edmonds, and Point No Point. Average catches ran 5–8 lbs last week, with some honkers pushing double digits. The key? Late coho are grabbing glow hoochies, pink-white Buzz Bombs, and 3"–4" spoons like Coho Killers behind a dodger. If you’re seeing smaller bait, scale down to 3/4-ounce minnow jigs in silver or chartreuse—deadly in low light. Chum salmon have ramped up—a mix of mid-teens pounders, beefy and aggressive, especially around river mouths like Chico Creek and the Puyallup. Marabou or flesh flies under a float, pink corkies with yarn, or drifting cured salmon eggs will get the job done. Don’t go light on hooks—chums are notorious for testing gear. Lingcod action for the die-hards is still worth a shot. Target rocky structure using big white swimbaits jigged deep, or drift live sand dab if you can find’em. West Point and Alki have given up decent numbers of sole and dab, especially on herring strips fished off dropper rigs. Steelhead are just starting to nose into the Sound tributaries. Gone Fishing Northwest says early arrivals are showing up near the river mouths—side-drifting cured roe or shrimp rigs are the move now. If you’re out for cutthroat, stick to the beaches. Try 2–3 inch metal spoons or Buzz Bombs—root beer or chartreuse gets bonus bites. Most shore anglers are seeing 1–3 fish a session; mixed sizes but plenty of spunky fighters. Crabbing? Pots are hauling steadier keepers around Port Madison and Quartermaster Harbor, especially on the incoming. Use salmon heads or turkey legs for best results; soak them off eel grass edges. As for baits: herring (plug-cut or whole) is your go-to for salmon right now. On the piers or bank, cured salmon eggs and sand shrimp will put fish on the stringer. When things slow, tip a spoon or spinner with a sliver of herring for added scent. Best bets for today’s session: - Chico Creek mouth at the late-morning incoming tide for chum madness. - Point No P This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.