Pacific bluefin are not documented from Sekiu specifically. No charter or fishing report tied to the village names bluefin as a target, so this page applies what holds for Washington’s coast to Sekiu, which sits at the west end of Clallam Bay on the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The Sekiu port guide covers the bay, the ramp and the Strait. For the wider coast, see the Pacific bluefin tuna fishing in the Pacific Northwest and the wider Pacific Northwest guide.
When Pacific bluefin are around Sekiu
No season for bluefin at Sekiu is documented. On the Washington coast, bluefin are sporadic and turn up mainly in late summer and fall, overlapping the albacore season. Juveniles travel with albacore in blue water, and larger fish have been reported in the outer green water off southwest Washington. The Strait is different water from the outer coast.
Where boats run from Sekiu
Sekiu sits about 15 miles southeast of Neah Bay, inside the Strait. On the east side of the bay, Slip Point has a reef that extends about 0.2 mile west of it, marked by a bell buoy, so give that buoy room when entering. Strong currents and swell from the west and northwest reach this area, mostly in winter and spring. Wind and tidal movement can stir the water near Slip Point and Kydaka Point. In summer, Strait winds blow mainly from the southwest through northwest and can reach about 30 knots in late afternoon, so an early departure with a return before the breeze builds may suit the day. Sea fog is at its worst from July through October, mostly at the west end of the Strait. Traffic separation lanes cross the Strait, so in fog, track them on radar or AIS. No distance from Sekiu to the blue water is documented. Check conditions yourself.
Grounds and structure
The named grounds off Sekiu are bottomfish and halibut grounds: The Caves, which are best fished on an outgoing tide, Eagle Bay off the Hoko River mouth, Mussolini Rock, the Coal Mine, the Slide, Cod Fish Bay, Hoko Flats, and the sloping ridges off Kydaka Point, Clallam Bay and Pillar Point. Hoko Flats lies in 100 to 200 feet of water, and the others are given depths only as ranges. None is documented as a bluefin ground.
How Pacific bluefin are fished out of Sekiu
No method is documented for bluefin from Sekiu, so the approach below is the regional one. Most Washington bluefin come on albacore gear: trolled plastic squid or plugs, vertical jigging on schools marked under the boat, and live anchovy or sardine. Some anglers troll large plugs well back on stout rods for the bigger green-water fish. Albacore tackle sized for juveniles is undersized for a larger bluefin, so step up the gear if you expect one.
Who fishes Pacific bluefin from Sekiu
No charter or tournament is documented as targeting bluefin from Sekiu. Ask any captain whether bluefin is on the plan before you book.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pacific bluefin documented at Sekiu?
Not specifically. The regional guide describes bluefin off Washington, mostly from Ilwaco and Westport on the outer coast, but no port report or charter ties bluefin to Sekiu.
How do I tell bluefin from albacore?
Check the pectoral fin. On bluefin it is short and ends well before the second dorsal fin, while on albacore it is very long and reaches past it. Washington treats the two differently, so identify the fish before you count it.
Where do I check the water before a run?
Check OBS SST for the green-to-blue break, Chlorophyll for the color edge, and Chart Contours for the bottom. Chart layers are not for navigation.
