Fishing Report 11/31

Coastal Chinook 

It’s prime time for fall Chinook in the coastal tributaries! Recent spikes in river levels have brought in waves of fresh fish, and with more rain in the forecast, now’s the time to dust off the drift boat and hit your favorite stretch of water. Running eggs and sand shrimp continues to be a go-to setup, but be sure to bring a few different cures — these late-season Chinook can be picky about scent and texture. Mixing in additives like sand shrimp, herring, sardine, and tuna belly can make the difference between a slow day and a boat limit. 

If bait isn’t producing, switch things up with bait-wrapped Kwikfish, Killerfish, or Mag Lips. These lures consistently tempt big coastal kings, especially when paired with a strong scent. Don’t forget twitching jigs — with Chinook, Coho, and even the occasional Chum in the mix, it’s a fun and versatile way to cover water. A well-thumped spinner through a deep, promising run can also trigger aggressive strikes from fish holding tight to structure. 

Techniques: Drift fishing eggs and sand shrimp, bait-wrapped Kwikfish/Killerfish/Mag Lips, twitching jigs, casting spinners. 

 Tidewater Fisheries 

The tidewater bite continues to shine for those putting in the effort. Pro Staffer Mike Kelly has been stacking fish lately by running floats and eggs in the estuaries, proving that timing and scent are everything. Always carry multiple scent options to match conditions. Larger rivers are holding enough water for trolling setups — think 360 flashers paired with small spinners, Super Baits, Stuffer Baits, or Cut Plugs. These more intimate tidewater zones require patience and skillful boat handling. Keep a sharp eye out for floating debris after heavy rain events. 

Techniques: Float fishing eggs, trolling 360 flashers with spinners, Super Baits, Stuffer Baits, and Cut Plugs. 

 Tributary Coho 

Coho fishing in the tributaries has been excellent this week. Pro Staffer Robert Kratzer has been stacking limits from the drift boat using twitching jigs, cycling through multiple colors until finding what the fish are tuned into. Likewise, Pro Staffer Brian Campbell has been hammering Coho in similar fashion. Keep rotating jig colors throughout the day — small adjustments often lead to big results. 

Techniques: Twitching jigs in multiple colors. 

 Bottom Fishing 

Bottom fishing has been solid when weather allows. Fall brings unpredictable storms and rougher seas, so check forecasts carefully before heading over the hill. For those able to get out, vertical jigs, shrimp flies, and Farallon feathers have all been producing solid rockfish action. 

Techniques: Vertical jigging, shrimp flies, Farallon feathers. 

 Crabbing 

Crabbing has been lights-out recently. Heavy rains can temporarily push crab into deeper ocean waters as bays fill with freshwater, but once things stabilize, they flood back in with a vengeance. Timing your pots around those windows can mean easy limits. 

Techniques: Baited crab pots, chicken and fish carcass baits, checking tidal cycles. 

 Clamming 

Razor clamming at Long Beach continues to impress this season. WDFW is expected to announce another round of open digs soon, so keep an eye out for the next press release confirming the dates. 

Techniques: Traditional clam guns and shovels, watch tide tables for minus tides.