BLAST BIRDS, HOOK FISH.
Morning duck hunts, afternoon fishing. Sounds like a blast!
BRING HOME A MIXED BAG
For the 2023-2024 Waterfowl Season, please contact Aaron directly before booking dates. We’ve disabled online booking to ensure you connect with Aaron before booking a trip; aaron@easternwashingtonguides.com
Each Blast & Cast trip yields a different mix of fish and fowl. Isn’t it awesome?! Eastern Washington state is a waterfowl hunting paradise wrapped around freshwater angling heaven. For those with an appetite to take advantage of a mix of hunting and fishing on your next adventure or weekend getaway, this trip is for you. Each trip can be customized to meet your needs; just let us know!
Book solo, with a small or large group. All our hunts are fully guided, 100% free-range, and fair chase. Our standard Blast & Cast packages do NOT include steelhead, salmon, or sturgeon fishing but do offer guided steelhead and salmon trips if that’s your fancy.
Waterfowl hunts are priced at $350/day for the 2023-2024 season.
HAVE A BLAST IN THE MORNING
Our Blast & Cast trip begins with a morning duck hunt. We’ll most likely be using grassed-up Eliminator XL layouts or blinds built by the hard-working crew at Eastern Washington Guides.
Be ready for a mixed duck species finishing in our decoy spread. On any of our duck hunts, our bag limit might consist of mallards, pintails, woodies, teal, and widgeon. A shotgun using 3” or 3 ½” steel shot #3 up to BB are good bets although other shotty & shell options are suitable. Eastern Washington Guides follow all WDFW regulations, licensing, shoot times & bag limits.
Once we limit or the morning winds down we’ll pull the decoys and grab lunch on the way to our first fishing hole.
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If you typically use trap shooting to get ready for waterfowl, booking a dove hunt is hard to beat. There are no bag limits as doves are listed as an invasive species by Washington State (and Oregon) DFW. Dove hunts are a great option with friends, family members or colleagues.
Bringing a 12 gauge or 20 gauge shotgun with trap – or target load, # 7 ½ shot also works well.
GO TO BED HOOKED
The best walleye fishing in Washington State is in Grant County. Don’t take our word for it, here’s Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Medium post from 2019. Most honest anglers in Washington State would admit walleye fishing has gotten better in Grant County since. Quite a few of our clients choose to pair bass fishing with the “blast” portion of this trip, however, those that don’t typically opt for walleye.
When fishing for walleyes, we’ll be trolling with eggs or bladed baits in our 23-foot Alumaweld Super-V and a 200 Yamaha HPDI mounted on the back. She flies as good as she fishes.
USEFUL LINKS:
Washington State fishing regulations: WDFW
Buy your Washington State fishing license online: WDFW Wild Portal
Washington State Fishing App Download (Google Play)
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I know we stated above that Eastern Washington State has the best walleye fishing … well, sorry Seattle and the other westside cities, the largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing is equally as good. Few anglers in the know would argue fishing numbers and average size caught around Moses Lake are higher and larger. We’d say the best bass fishing in Washington State is also in Grant County.
When bass fishing is paired with our Blast & Cast trip, clients will be using all GLX G-Loomis Rods & Shimano products. You’ll be casting from the deck of our 2013 21 foot Triton motored with a 250 horsepower Mercury engine. Typically, we’ll fish on the Potholes Reservoir, Moses Lake or Banks Lake.
DON’T LET THE OPPORTUNITY GET AWAY
Our Playground
Booked Blast & Cast clients will experience hunting ducks over water and fishing for “Fatties” in the Potholes Reservoir, or the Banks Lake. Our guides grew up hunting and fishing this area. We know it well, our experience translates to more shooting and set hooking opportunities.
Blast & Cast Trip FAQs
Don’t see your question answered below? Check out the complete list of frequently asked questions.
What shotgun choke and shot should I use for ducks?
We recommend using a modified choke if you have one. We set up for shots at 30-ish yards, regularly waiting to call shots until the birds are just about to land in our decoys. Sometimes the shots are a bit further, quite often, your shot will be closer. Shot size 3, or 4’s work well - some hunters go heavier.
Are first-time hunters allowed?
You bet! Eastern Washington Guides is a family-friendly environment. You’ll regularly see kids, youth hunters, and first-time hunters join our ranks. Per Washington State DFW, “All hunters born after Jan. 1, 1972 must show proof of hunter education course completion before purchasing their first Washington hunting license.” Our guides will look to isolate shooing opportunities until you get used to the pace.
Can we fish in the morning, hunt in the evening?
Usually not but we will do whatever we can to accommodate. If you’re blast & cast trip is inclusive to a single group changing it up is easier. That said, we encourage you to listen closely to the advice given by our guides on the best times to be successful fishing and hunting in Eastern Washington. Sometimes birds are best to be shot in the morning while fish can be caught all day long. If we can accommodate, we will.
Do clients get a refund if a limit is not shot?
Don’t be silly. All of our guides work extremely hard scouting during the week, building/grassing blinds, laying out decoy spreads, and pretty good getting clients on birds. To be honest, we rarely get skunked but at the same time, make no guarantees. After all, this is hunting.
Can trips be extended to be all blast or cast?
Not usually. Obviously, the duck portion cannot be extended upon reaching the daily bag limit. However, when the fishing is good we understand the desire to keep fishing! We do have clients extending adding a Sunday to a previously booked Saturday trip somewhat regularly. If you’re considering it, please let us know and check this website for booking availabilities on the desired dates.
Why is the price online different than paying in person?
We’re providing a discount for trips booked online as part of a promotion incentivizing the use of our online booking tool. The discount is different per trip, approximately 20% per booked trip per customer. Those customers wishing to book by phone no problem, you may call 509-766-6791. Our prices increased in 2021, please see our updated pricing page.
What to pack
Living in the great state of Washington affords us four seasons. What you pack for a trip with Eastern Washington Guides depends on the time of year. No matter the time of year, please pack a lunch, snacks, and refreshments. Don’t forget your Washington State fishing or hunting licenses!
In the spring, it’s best to have rain gear with average temperatures. You might also keep a change of clothes in the car. For “Blast” portion of the packages, whether spring, summer, or fall, you’ll want appropriate camo, ammo, and shotguns for the hunts.
In stark contrast, our summer months are hot with little rain; temperatures averaging in the high 80’s to mid 90’s. We recommend a hat to keep the hot sun off your face & neck. We also recommend appropriate sun/UV protection.
Eastern Washington winters will range from mildly cold days to absolutely blistering cold. Layer & dress appropriately. Please review our Trip Planning page before coming our way.