EPISODE · May 21, 2026 · 4 MIN
Puget Sound Morning Bite: Coho and Blackmouth on the Building Tide
from Puget Sound Seattle Fishing Report Today · host Inception Point AI
Artificial Lure here with your Puget Sound fishing report for the early-morning bite around Seattle. We’re on a building tide today. Around Elliott Bay and Alki, the low hit in the early pre‑dawn, with a good incoming push through the morning and a decent high late morning to midday. Over toward Tacoma Narrows and the south Sound, expect that swing to lag a bit, but the important thing is that classic “first half of the flood” has been lining up nicely with the early light—prime time for bait to move and predators to follow. According to the National Weather Service in Seattle, we’ve got a typical late‑spring pattern: a weak marine layer early, then partial clearing. Light south to southwest wind in the 5–10 knot range, with a little more breeze in the afternoon. Air temps topping out in the 60s, water temp in central Sound sitting in the low 50s. Sunrise is just after 5:20 a.m., sunset close to 8:50 p.m., so there’s a long window, but the most reliable action has been from first light until the sun gets on the water, then again on the evening flood. Chinook are still mostly a release show in much of the Sound, but there’ve been decent reports of resident coho and hungry blackmouth around Possession Bar, Kingston, and the west side of Bainbridge. Local charter skippers out of Shilshole have been picking a mix of shakers, a few legal blackmouth, and some chunky resident coho in 60–120 feet, with fish suspended 20–60 feet down over deeper water. In Elliott Bay and off Alki, anglers trolling along the edge of the drop have seen modest action on coho, plus the usual dogfish when the tide slackens. Lingcod and rockfish have been the real meat‑and‑potatoes for folks working structure. Reefs and wrecks around West Point, the Tacoma Narrows bridges, and the ledges off Point Defiance have given up solid keeper lingcod with some nice cabezon in the mix. In the ship canal and Lake Union, bass guys have been finding pre‑ and post‑spawn smallmouth stacking on rock piles and bridges, though that’s a bit off‑Sound. For lures, keep it simple and local: 3–4 inch white or glow hootchies behind a green or purple haze flasher have been steady for coho and blackmouth. Silver or green‑splatter Coyote and Kingfisher spoons in the 3.0–3.5 size are a staple; run them 25–40 feet off the ball. When the water’s clear and bright, scale down to smaller spoons and lighter leaders. Herring patterns—both spoons and hootchies—are out‑producing anchovy patterns right now. Bait anglers dragging whole or plug‑cut herring in a slow troll have reported the bigger bites, especially on the morning flood off Possession and Point No Point. If you’re jigging for lings, 4–6 ounce metal jigs in candlefish colors or big white curly‑tail plastics on heavy lead‑heads have been putting fish in the boat; just remember to stay tight to bottom and be ready to lose some gear to the rocks. For shore casters, 1/2 to 3/4 ounce metal jigs and small herring‑profile swimbaits are getting attention from coho, sea‑run cutthroat, and the occasional flounder around the beaches. A couple of hot spots to circle on your chart: First, Alki Point to Fourmile Rock—work the contour lines in 60–140 feet on the incoming tide for coho and blackmouth, especially near bait balls. Second, Possession Bar—classic structure that’s been holding fish all spring; focus on the edges during the first push of the flood. Remember barbless hooks, know which areas are open for what species, and check the latest emergency rules from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife before you launch. That’s the rundown from your buddy Artificial Lure. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a tide. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai. Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
What this episode covers
Artificial Lure here with your Puget Sound fishing report for the early-morning bite around Seattle. We’re on a building tide today. Around Elliott Bay and Alki, the low hit in the early pre‑dawn, with a good incoming push through the morning and a decent high late morning to midday. Over toward Tacoma Narrows and the south Sound, expect that swing to lag a bit, but the important thing is that classic “first half of the flood” has been lining up nicely with the early light—prime time for bait to move and predators to follow. According to the National Weather Service in Seattle, we’ve got a typical late‑spring pattern: a weak marine layer early, then partial clearing. Light south to southwest wind in the 5–10 knot range, with a little more breeze in the afternoon. Air temps topping out in the 60s, water temp in central Sound sitting in the low 50s. Sunrise is just after 5:20 a.m., sunset close to 8:50 p.m., so there’s a long window, but the most reliable action has been from first light until the sun gets on the water, then again on the evening flood. Chinook are still mostly a release show in much of the Sound, but there’ve been decent reports of resident coho and hungry blackmouth around Possession Bar, Kingston, and the west side of Bainbridge. Local charter skippers out of Shilshole have been picking a mix of shakers, a few legal blackmouth, and some chunky resident coho in 60–120 feet, with fish suspended 20–60 feet down over deeper water. In Elliott Bay and off Alki, anglers trolling along the edge of the drop have seen modest action on coho, plus the usual dogfish when the tide slackens. Lingcod and rockfish have been the real meat‑and‑potatoes for folks working structure. Reefs and wrecks around West Point, the Tacoma Narrows bridges, and the ledges off Point Defiance have given up solid keeper lingcod with some nice cabezon in the mix. In the ship canal and Lake Union, bass guys have been finding pre‑ and post‑spawn smallmouth stacking on rock piles and bridges, though that’s a bit off‑Sound. For lures, keep it simple and local: 3–4 inch white or glow hootchies behind a green or purple haze flasher have been steady for coho and blackmouth. Silver or green‑splatter Coyote and Kingfisher spoons in the 3.0–3.5 size are a staple; run them 25–40 feet off the ball. When the water’s clear and bright, scale down to smaller spoons and lighter leaders. Herring patterns—both spoons and hootchies—are out‑producing anchovy patterns right now. Bait anglers dragging whole or plug‑cut herring in a slow troll have reported the bigger bites, especially on the morning flood off Possession and Point No Point. If you’re jigging for lings, 4–6 ounce metal jigs in candlefish colors or big white curly‑tail plastics on heavy lead‑heads have been putting fish in the boat; just remember to stay tight to bottom and be ready to lose some gear to the rocks. For shore casters, 1/2 to 3/4 ounce metal jigs and small herring‑profile swimbaits are getting attention from coho, sea‑run cutthroat, and the occasional flounder around the beaches. A couple of hot spots to circle on your chart: First, Alki Point to Fourmile Rock—work the contour lines in 60–140 feet on the incoming tide for coho and blackmouth, especially near bait balls. Second, Possession Bar—classic structure that’s been holding fish all spring; focus on the edges during the first push of the flood. Remember barbless hooks, know which areas are open for what species, and check the latest emergency rules from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife before you launch. That’s the rundown from your buddy Artificial Lure. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a tide. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai. Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
NOW PLAYING
Puget Sound Morning Bite: Coho and Blackmouth on the Building Tide
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
No similar episodes found.