Hoping for some help from WA divers

[scootz]

I live in the CA Bay Area, and will be in WA visiting my sister for about a week in Feb. I am an avid freediver/spearfisher and go often in and around Monterey, CA. When in season, I frequently go north for abalone.
Last year I stopped by a dive shop when I was in WA to get information about spearing and was told it is pretty much nonexistent. Ling season was something like two weeks long. I will study the regs before I set foot in the water, but I was just hoping for some quick answers from insiders. I have a little Riffe Euro and am accustomed to cold water and less than ideal diving conditions.
I will be staying in Puyallup. Last year we had a blast digging clams, geoducks and searching for oysters around Purdy PT. I would really like to dive for crab, though I know Dungeness is OOS most places. I would be willing to drive up to two hours (though my kids may not agree).
This trip is a family thing, but it would be nice to jump in a couple days and see if I can’t bring something home for dinner.
Thank you,

Scott

[Aegean]

I live in the CA Bay Area, and will be in WA visiting my sister for about a week in Feb. I am an avid freediver/spearfisher and go often in and around Monterey, CA. When in season, I frequently go north for abalone.
Last year I stopped by a dive shop when I was in WA to get information about spearing and was told it is pretty much nonexistent. Ling season was something like two weeks long. I will study the regs before I set foot in the water, but I was just hoping for some quick answers from insiders. I have a little Riffe Euro and am accustomed to cold water and less than ideal diving conditions.
I will be staying in Puyallup. Last year we had a blast digging clams, geoducks and searching for oysters around Purdy PT. I would really like to dive for crab, though I know Dungeness is OOS most places. I would be willing to drive up to two hours (though my kids may not agree).
This trip is a family thing, but it would be nice to jump in a couple days and see if I can’t bring something home for dinner.
Thank you,

Scott

You're right Scott, spearfishing here is not appreciated and the only allowed catch is the first legal catch for any kind of fish that is in season, ie rockfish for example. Usually the best way to dive here is to use a boat and avoid spearing in the reefs. I'd say for an avid spearfisherman, WA is not the place to live. Even though in Vancouver still lingcod season is running, here is very conservative. Just enjoy the rivers and use hook and line to catch some salmon or trout. Also I've been diving in monterey and carmel for the past year and go to University here in WA but as soon as I'm done I'm heading down to Central CA. It really sucks here...

[Navanax]

Hey Scott,
Not sure I'd say it "really sucks" - There is some great diving. Yes spearfishing, at least in Puget Sound, is pretty weak. Lings are a couple weeks in May/June, dungie diving is a hoot but is closed now in most areas. Halibut is a April / May deal and deep, and rockfish limits are too low (1 or none) to be of interest.

But.... if the tides are moderate, there is some great free diving of the beach along the Straight of Juan de Fuca. And stuff for the kids to do as well if the weather is nice. Try Salt Creek park West of Port Angeles or as far West as the break wall at Neah bay (a long drive). But this time of year the weather can beat the snot out of you (although the surfing can be decent). So there's stuff to see, but the gun won't be of much use. PM me if you need details on spots.
Ken

[scootz]

Thank you very much for the info. I know that the NW is famous for outdoor hunting and gathering, but I guess underwater doesn't count. Or at least it's only okay from the surface.
I considered H&L, but I suck at it. The clams were really good, and I'm sure we'll be doing that again.
If your ever down my way, PM me. If the conditions are right you can get a bunch of rockfish (limit 10) and Ling season is Apr 1 - the end of Nov. Even if the conditions aren’t the greatest, I very rarely come home empty handed.

Thanks again, and expect a PM mid Feb.

Scott

[Navanax]

Looking forward to it. I'm a Calif transplant and cut my teeth on Sonoma abs, SB bugs, and the Channel Islands. I get to the Monterey area every now and then and will holler if I do.
Ken

[Samson]

Hey Scott,

You can still spear for unregulated fish here including cabezon, flounder and greenling which are tasty. But as the others have stated, the local diving population here in the sound is mostly left wing liberal militants who are likely to draw and quarter anyone showing up with a speargun. The liberal politics here blames spearfishing for the demise of just about everything. Last time I heard, they were even trying to blame us for the spotted owls decline! LMAO!

[scootz]

Yeah, it's totally lame. I have enough of them here being close to S.F. and Santa Cruz.

I'll make sure they see my bumper sticker:



"I'D RATHER BE CLUBBING HARP SEALS"

or

"DOLPHIN: THE OTHER WHITE MEAT"



The harp seals one is my favorite. I came up with it all by myself. And I really do like dolphins. It's just a joke.

Come down and I'll put you on some fish you can put a spear through


Scott

[NWnewbie]

Only spot worth while left to dive thats somewhat close to the Sound is Neah Bay. Its a long drive but it is worth it, esp. if you stay for a couple of days. A little piece of advise: Dont ask ANY of the dive shop owners/worker for advice about spearing, you'll get nothing but flack. You want to find some places to dive around Port angeles to neah bay there are some dedicated locals in the area that will hook you up.

[ApneaAddict]

And I really do like dolphins. It's just a joke.
Scott

I like em too. With a little soy sauce, MMMmmmm! :p