FISH-FLAVORED CAT FOOD, salmon carcasses and herring should all do the trick as tempting bait during Saturday’s spot shrimp opener.
Just make sure the bait is oily and full of scent to lure the spotted treats to an ultimately untimely end.
Shrimp are found in water anywhere from 125 to 300 feet deep, and sometimes can be spotted as round balls on one’s depth finder.
Watch the tidal shifts closely in Hood Canal, while harbor shrimping in Port Angeles or on Discovery Bay requires less allegiance to the tidal swing.
The shrimp cluster up and follow the tide, so check before you send down the pots.
Shrimping schedule
The Hood Canal Shrimp District in Marine Area 12 will open for shrimping from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, and again May 9, 11 and 13.
Discovery Bay Shrimp District in Marine Area 6 will open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, and again May 9, 11 and 13.
Marine Areas 4 (east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line), 5 (Sekiu) and 6 (excluding Discovery Bay Shrimp District) will open daily beginning Saturday and continue until the quota is obtained or Sept. 15, whichever comes first.
The shortest season on the North Olympic Peninsula is in Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet), which opens from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and again May 13.
Spot shrimp are the largest shrimp in Puget Sound and typically average 8 to 12 inches in length.
In all areas of Puget Sound, harvesters are limited to 80 spot shrimp per day.
A valid 2015-16 fishing license is required to participate in the fisheries.
Halibut seminar
A free seminar on all things halibut in advance of the upcoming season will be offered at Brian’s Sporting Goods and More, next to J.C. Penney’s at 609 W. Washington St. in Sequim, starting at 6 p.m. tonight.
John Beath of Carlsborg, a tackle designer and manufacturer, will impart his knowledge of just how to stalk the flat fish.
Call ahead to 360-683-1950 or stop by the store to RSVP for the seminar.
Razor clam digs
A weekend razor clam dig is set Saturday and Sunday at three ocean beaches.
Upcoming digs are scheduled on the following dates, beaches and low tides:
■ Saturday: 6:23 a.m.; 0.2 feet — Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Mocrocks.
■ Sunday: 6:59 a.m.; 0.3 feet — Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Mocrocks.
Under state law, diggers are required to keep the first 15 clams they dig. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container.
All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2015-16 fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach.
Kids derby in Forks
The annual Forks kids fishing derby is set for the Bogachiel Hatchery Rearing Pond, 2944 Bogachiel Way, from 6 a.m. to noon Sunday.
Anglers 12 and younger are welcome to participate.
Hot chocolate, donuts and coffee will be provided at this free event sponsored by the West End Sportsman’s Club.
Anglers should bring their own poles and tackle but a small amount of poles will be available for loan on a first-come, first-served basis.
A five-fish limit per angler will be in effect.
Club members will be available to help young fishers.
Parental support, supervision and guidance also is appreciated.
The West End Sportsmen’s Club has donation boxes placed around Forks to help with the cost of the event.
Donations also will be accepted at the derby.
Save the date
The 13th annual Kids Fishing Day presented by Puget Sound Anglers — North Olympic Peninsula Chapter is set for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 16.
Children 14 and younger can participate in a free day of fishing in the pond just north of Carrie Blake Park in Sequim.
A total of 1,500 trout will be stocked for the big day, including some big ones up to 5 pounds.
A special pool for toddlers also will be stocked.
Club members will have some poles and bait for youth but if your child has fishing supplies, bring them.
The city of Sequim Public Works Department and state Fish and Wildlife Department help put this event on for the kids.
Derby tickets
Anglers can pick up a $40 Port Angeles Salmon Club Halibut Derby ticket at three North Olympic Peninsula locations.
These outlets are Swain’s General Store and Jerry’s Bait & Tackle in Port Angeles, and Brian’s Sporting Goods and More in Sequim.
Fishing will be contained in Marine Area 6, between Low Point to the west and the Dungeness Spit to the east.
Fishing hours are daylight to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 23, and daylight to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 24.
A total of $20,000 in cash prizes will be up for grabs, including $5,000 for the winner.
Anglers can launch their boats for free thanks to the Port of Port Angeles.
The weigh-in will be held at the West Boat Haven ramp and docks, and all fish must be brought in by water.
Send photos, stories
Have a photograph, a fishing or hunting report, an anecdote about an outdoors experience or a tip on gear or technique?
Send it to sports@peninsuladailynews.com or P.O. Box 1330, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
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Outdoors columnist Michael Carman appears here Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5152 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
