Puget Sound Bottom Fishing Charter Seattle
Shared Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target Lingcod and Flounder on 6-hour morning or 4-hour afternoon tripsProfessional 28-foot Tollycraft features heated cabin and private bathroom facilitiesAll tackle and bait provided at $285 per person rate
Get ready to drop lines for some of Puget Sound's most sought-after bottom dwellers with Big King Salmon Charters. This shared charter puts you right where the Lingcod and Starry Flounder are biting, running April through June when these fish are most active. You've got two solid options: roll out early with the 6 AM crew for six hours of serious fishing, or keep it mellow with the 1 PM afternoon session that gets you back to shore by 5. At $285 per person, you're getting professional gear, quality bait, and a seasoned captain who knows exactly where to find fish in these waters.
You'll be fishing from Big King's 28-foot Tollycraft – a solid boat that handles Puget Sound's conditions with ease. The heated cabin keeps things comfortable when the morning air has a bite, and having a private head on board means no rushing back to port for bathroom breaks. The crew provides all your tackle and bait, so you can focus on what matters: getting your line down and feeling that telltale thump of a bottom fish hitting your offering. Puget Sound's underwater structure is perfect for bottom fishing – rocky ledges, sandy flats, and deep channels where Lingcod lurk and flatfish patrol. Captain will position you over productive spots using GPS marks built up over years of fishing these waters. You'll be anchored or slow-drifting over structure, letting your bait work naturally in the current.
Bottom fishing in Puget Sound means heavy sinkers to get your bait down fast and keep it there despite the current. The crew rigs you up with dropper loops or spreader bars loaded with hooks – typically size 4/0 to 8/0 depending on what we're targeting. Fresh herring, anchovies, and squid are the go-to baits here, though Lingcod can't resist a lively rockfish or greenling either. You'll feel the weight hit bottom, then reel up a couple cranks to keep your bait just off the rocks where the fish feed. The key is staying connected to the bottom as the boat moves with wind and tide. When a fish hits, you'll know it – Lingcod grab hard and head straight for their rocky hideouts, while flounder create that distinctive tapping sensation as they mouth the bait.
Starry Flounder are the bread and butter of Puget Sound bottom fishing, and for good reason. These flatfish can stretch over two feet and provide some of the best eating you'll find in Northwest waters. They're most active during spring months when they move into shallower areas to feed on worms, small crabs, and shrimp. What makes starry flounder special is their fighting style – they use that flat body like a sail, creating surprising resistance as you bring them up from 60-100 feet of water. Plus, they're fantastic table fare with firm, white meat that holds together perfectly whether you're pan-frying or making fish tacos. Look for them over sandy and muddy bottoms where they can camouflage perfectly.
Lingcod are the ultimate prize for bottom fishermen in Puget Sound, and these prehistoric-looking predators can reach massive sizes – 30-pound fish aren't uncommon, and 40-pounders lurk in the deeper waters. They're ambush hunters that stake out rocky ledges and kelp beds, waiting to engulf anything that swims too close with their massive mouths full of needle-sharp teeth. April through June is prime time as they're coming off their spawning period and feeding aggressively. What gets anglers fired up about Lingcod is their raw power – they hit like a freight train and immediately try to wrap your line around the nearest rock or piling. Landing a quality "Ling" requires heavy tackle and quick reflexes, but the reward is some of the best-tasting white fish in the Pacific Northwest.
This shared charter fills up fast during prime bottom fishing season, especially on weekends when local anglers are looking to get their fish on. The morning trips tend to book quicker since you get more hours on the water, but those afternoon sessions are perfect if you're not a fan of pre-dawn wake-up calls. Remember, you'll need a Washington State fishing license – the crew can hook you up with one before you head out, so don't stress if you forget. Bring your own snacks and drinks, dress in layers since Puget Sound weather can change quickly, and get ready for some world-class bottom fishing. Whether you're after a mess of flounder for the dinner table or hoping to tangle with a trophy Lingcod, Big King Salmon Charters knows how to put you on the fish when conditions are right.
Step aboard our fully restored 1976 Tollycraft Sportfishing boat and get ready to chase Lingcod and Flounder in Puget Sound's productive waters. This classic 28-footer packs serious fishing power with a 357HP Mercruiser that'll cruise you to the hotspots at up to 35 knots. The heated cabin keeps you comfortable between bites, while the onboard fish finder helps locate where the bottom dwellers are hiding. Captain navigates using GPS and radar to put you on the most productive structure and ledges. The wireless trolling motor lets us work the area quietly without spooking fish below. When nature calls, there's a private head onboard, plus an icebox and fridge to keep your drinks cold and your catch fresh. The flybridge gives our crew a perfect vantage point to spot birds working or other signs of life. Built for serious anglers who want results, this boat delivers the stability and fishability you need when battling stubborn Lings in Puget Sound's deeper waters.
Ophiodon ElongatusLingcod are the bulldogs of Puget Sound - all attitude and teeth. Despite the name, they're actually greenlings, not cod, and they've got the gnarly looks to prove it. These ambush predators lurk in rocky areas and kelp beds from 30-150 feet, using their mottled green-brown coloring to blend in perfectly. Females typically run 15-25 pounds while males stay smaller around 8-15 pounds. They're active year-round but spring fishing is fantastic when they're guarding nests and extra aggressive. What guests love most is the fight - lingcod don't give up easy and will try to wrap you around every rock down there. Plus, the meat is outstanding with firm white fillets. One key tip: use heavy tackle and get them up fast. Once hooked, lingcod will dive straight back to their rocky hideout and try to cut you off. Keep steady pressure and don't let them get home.
Platichthys StellatusThese flatfish are fun targets that most folks don't expect to catch. Starry flounders get their name from the star-shaped scales that give them a rough texture, plus those distinctive black and orange bars on their fins. They typically run 2-5 pounds in Puget Sound, though we occasionally see bigger ones pushing 10+ pounds. You'll find them on sandy and muddy bottoms from 50-200 feet, especially around areas where fresh water meets salt. Spring is prime time when they move shallow to spawn. What makes them special is their ability to change color like chameleons and swim backwards using their dorsal fins. The meat is excellent - sweet and flaky. Here's a local trick: after you feel that initial bite, let them run with it for a few seconds before setting the hook. They're curious fish that like to investigate, so that pause lets them fully commit to your bait.
Washington