Keystone launch for Blackmouth

cj6530 · Nov-20-2009, 09:22 AM

How is the Keystone launch on Whidbey Island to shoot over to Midchannel for some blackmouth. I have searched online but I cannot find any details in regards to the launch (tide issues and such). I found satellite photos of Keystone bay which show 2 piers and a launch on the south tip of the bay.
Anyway....I plan to go this Sunday (whether looks great now). Does anybody have any thoughts/opinions on using this launch to fish Mid Channel?

Quan · Nov-20-2009, 09:50 AM

I have launched there once. It was a nice launch in a protected bay. Tides look fine. I don't imagine you'll have too much trouble.

outtadablu · Nov-20-2009, 10:01 AM

Quan, I live on Whidbey and launch from Keystone on a regular basis. It is a good launchable ramp all the way down to 1 or less. I haven't put in in anything less than a 3, and had plenty of water. Couple of thing to remember, the ferry come in and out every hour and a half, and depending on how hard the tides are running can be pretty intolerant of "pleasure" craft in their limited channel. Also the water out in front of the entrance can get pretty sporty in a hurry when the winds and tides are in opposition. The tides run exceptionally strong on that point and pull or push water around the launch, just look which way it is going and use which ever float it pushing against. Makes getting in and out a lot simpler. If the ferry is coming in, I usually just wait for it to dock before I attempt to come back in. Hope this helps, good luck with the fishing Sunday.

barnettm · Nov-20-2009, 12:32 PM

Nice launch, should be no problems.

Grady226 · Nov-20-2009, 02:53 PM

This is a very nice launch that is usable at negative tides. The ramp is very steep so don't unhook your safety devices before you get to the water line!

Use cndlefish imitation gear and keep it very near the bottom! The tide runs very hard at midchannel so only troll with the tide. Pick up and run back to the other end.

Have fun!

elkruser · Nov-20-2009, 04:56 PM

I second the watch for the ferry thought. Not that I ever got honked at by the ferry captain or nothin...

It's a great launch. Don't forget about Mats Mats bay to the south thru the channel.

goatram · Nov-20-2009, 05:18 PM

It will be a run for your truck. Hour and a half from my house off of exit 202. Are you going to spend the night over there? The campground (ST Park) is right across the channel

cj6530 · Nov-20-2009, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goatram

It will be a run for your truck. Hour and a half from my house off of exit 202. Are you going to spend the night over there? The campground (ST Park) is right across the channel

It is far. It looks like maybe 2.5 hours from house in downtown Bellevue to the launch. I only have the one day though. Normally I would not be thinking of doing this as a day trip but.....We just had our second child (2 girls now)this past Monday and I have my Mother in law in town for 2 weeks. In short I have 4 women and me in a 1300 sq ft house that feels like sauna from my mother in law jacking up the heat.
I have Sunday to fish and I keep my boat stored in Anacortes. I think my only option is Keystone launch to Midchannel.

goatram · Nov-20-2009, 06:32 PM

Fish on my brotha! Congrats on the new baby.

But Better you than I on the Women in da house

Fishtech1 · Nov-20-2009, 06:39 PM

Chris, since your boat is already in Anacortes you could launch from there and run to Midchannel, I have done it many times, its not a bad run as long as the weather is good and with area 7 closed you`ll have the launch all to yourself.

Just another thought.

Make sure to post your report on the new saltwater report sub heading.

cj6530 · Nov-20-2009, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishtech1

Chris, since your boat is already in Anacortes you could launch from there and run to Midchannel, I have done it many times, its not a bad run as long as the weather is good and with area 7 closed you`ll have the launch all to yourself.

Just another thought.

Make sure to post your report on the new saltwater report sub heading.

Now your talking. Launch out of cornet bay (deception pass). That was my first thought but I heard the trip from there can really suck (in chop). Last night when I made the plan the forecast was for 1-3ft now its 2-4. To be honest thought......my last 2 days in that area were forecasted in the morning at 2-4 ft but ended up being glass to 1ft.

cj6530 · Nov-24-2009, 05:56 PM

I ended up fishing Mid Channel today as Sundays weather sucked. Things of note......I started fishing 10ft off bottom as per advice given. No bites for the first couple hours so I decided to fish right on bottom (2 ft off). Thats when the action started. Caught lots of little ones and ended up with a nice keeper. I used a flasher and coho killer. When I looked in the belly of the keeper it was packed with SandLance. The SandLance were at least 2 inches longer than a coho killer. I have heard of stacking 2 coho killers....might be worth a try. Also, the meat was much lighter than summer chinook I have caught. Are winter blackmouth subpar to eat?