Slip point can be a hot spot for blackmouth fishing, especially during an outgoing current.

During an outgoing current Slip Point offers a multi-mile troll from east of the point toward the west. As the current sweeps past Slip Point massive schools of baitfish can be found throughout the water column. During heavy currents you will find blackmouth close to the bottom which could be as deep as 250 feet. Last season I fished Slip Point several times and had the best action on the 220-foot contour line. This depth requires heavy 15 pound balls and braid on your downrigger. These two key factors will give you better depth control and equate to higher catch rates.

Speed & Timing

When I know the current is strong I began the troll at least half a mile east of Slip Point. This allows time to get the trolling motor operational and my downriggers set to deploy to the bottom. When fishing the 220-foot line it will require you to let out close to 300-feet of braid to maintain bottom depth control. Typically we will run our deepest line toward the middle of the Strait and other downrigger toward shore. With this configuration it is easier to prevent your deepest ball from snagging bottom. If your ball bounces just turn to starboard when trolling west during an outgoing current. With two lines out and one as close to bottom as possible, the other line could be anywhere in the water column from 120 to 160 feet deep. Where you see bait is the biggest clue where to set your gear. The image below shows massive amounts of bait just west of Slip Point. After seeing these massive bait balls our port line (closest to shore) set at 160-feet got bit by a keeper 8 pounder. A little farther west our starboard, deepest line got a 15 pound keeper.

Tips & Tricks

Underwater lights can increase your catch rate. You can either buy a flasher with a built in light or make your own. I use water activated Tail Lights and clip them on before my leader. The picture below shows the top plastic flasher with the correct way to put the light on the flasher’s snap. Below is incorrect as putting them inline creates so much rotating action it eventually wears through the metal on the light. During multiple tests side by side the flasher with the light out produces the flasher without a light.

Here’s where you can buy Tail Light https://www.squidlures.com/store/p94/Water_Activated_Green_Tail_Light.html or go to your local tackle store.