UTERAlbacore fishing in Washington Coast and Puget Sound
In Washington Coast and Puget Sound, albacore peak August–September and are around July–October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. August: Peak.
Done.
Albacore in Washington Coast and Puget Sound, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayNot here
- JuneNot here
- JulyArrivingWestport and Ilwaco tuna boats run 40–60+ miles to the warm water.
- AugustPeakPeak.
- SeptemberPeakGood till the weather turns.
- OctoberLeavingDone.
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish albacore near Ilwaco, Westport, La Push
An exposed outer coast (Westport, La Push, Neah Bay), the Columbia mouth and Willapa Bay at the south end, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Puget Sound and Hood Canal — deep, cold fjords with points, kelp and steep shelves.
What to use for albacore
- SquidStrips on a bottom rig for snapper, grunts and porgies; whole on a deep-drop rig.
- Sand eelsFree-lined or on a light jig head for stripers, fluke and bluefish; strips teased on a fluke rig.
- Leader40–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook4/0–8/0
- Braid50–100 lb
Feeds in 60–72°F water, best at 62–68°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch albacore in Washington Coast and Puget Sound?
Peak season is August–September. Albacore are in Washington Coast and Puget Sound July–October. August: Peak.
Where do albacore hold in Washington Coast and Puget Sound?
Look on ledge / hard bottom — around Ilwaco, Westport, La Push, Neah Bay, Sekiu, Seattle.
What is the best bait for albacore in Washington Coast and Puget Sound?
Live bait: squid, sand eels. Squid: Strips on a bottom rig for snapper, grunts and porgies; whole on a deep-drop rig. Tackle: leader 40–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 4/0–8/0, braid 50–100 lb.
What are the rules for albacore in Washington Coast and Puget Sound?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and change — read the current rule at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/fishing.
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All about albacore · Washington Coast & Puget Sound, the whole year