Island Outfitters
Vancouver Island Fishing Report - Sept 23/18
Island Outfitters has your Vancouver Island fishing Report to September 23rd. Read the saltwater reports below for Sooke, Port Renfrew, Becher Bay, Pedder Bay, Victoria, Oak Bay and Sidney.
Remember to send in photos (in jpeg format) of your notable catches to their email info@fishingvictoria.com
Saltwater
Coho fishing is excellent in the Juan de Fuca Strait. The Chinook fishing is spotty around the south Island. Halibut fishing was good this past weekend.
Sooke
Coho fishing was excellent this past week. Coho limits are now being caught regularly, especially out further from shore in 400 feet or more of water. Most of the coho have not been clipped so you have to release a bunch of unmarked ones if you want to keep your limit. There were still some springs coming in but not too many and most of them have not been very large. Also, most of the anglers targeting coho have been using either spoons or hootchies. Secretary Island and Possession Point were producing most of the action for springs. Good choices for anchovy teaser head colours are Chartreuse, Tiger Prawn and Bloody Nose. Spoons such as Skinny G’s, Coho Killers and 4″ Coyote spoons have been good for coho. Green and glow have been the hot colours for coho spoons. Hootchies in White, Glow/Green and Purple Haze are the top choices in plastic baits. For flashers, the Delta Guide Series UV Moon Jelly, Lemon Lime, Madi and the Super Betsey are popular.
Port Renfrew
Coho salmon fishing was good at Port Renfrew. The best action is coming from out in deeper water (400-500 feet) although some nice ones are coming from closer in towards the shore too. A 17 lb coho was caught at Camper Creek on Sunday. Most of the chinooks have moved into the river and anglers aren’t catching many in the ocean. Halibut and Lingcod fishing is still good.
Becher Bay
Salmon fishing was good for coho in the strait and near the shipping lanes. The majority of the coho being caught have been unclipped, but there are enough clipped ones to make it worthwhile to target the coho. The larger coho have been found deep instead of up near the surface. Also, there are a lot of juvenile fish around and they seem to be in the top 50 feet of water. Spring fishing has slowed down and no really large ones were caught. The best spots for springs were Aldridge Point and the Trap Shack. The best depths to fish for springs have been between 40 to 60 feet on the downrigger. Anchovies are the bait of choice for springs. Good choices for teaser head colours are Chartreuse, Tiger Prawn and Bloody Nose. Anglers are using spoons with Coho Killers and Gibbs Skinny G’s in green/glow and green/silver colours the favourites, especially for coho. The GIBBS Highliner Guide Series Outfitters, the Betsey, and Gold Fever Hot Spot flashers have been working well. Needlefish hootchies in White, Glow/Green and Purple Haze are the top choices in plastic baits.
Pedder Bay
Pedder Bay Marina reports pretty good coho fishing. Anglers are getting most of the coho out in 400+ feet of water in the strait. There have been lots of shakers in the top 100 feet of water but if you troll below 100 feet you don’t catch many and tend to only pick up larger mature fish. Spoons have been producing well for coho and the Skinny G’s, Wee G’s, AP Tackleworks and Coho Killers are the top choices. Green with either silver or glow has been the colour choice in spoons. Fishing for springs has slowed down, but a few have been picked up near Church Rock and inside Pedder Bay. Most of the springs have been less than 10 lbs in size. Most anglers are using teaser head colours Mint Pearl, Chartreuse and Bloody Nose. Squirts are still working with green and glow, Purple Haze or UV white good colour choices. Flashers that are popular include the Guide Series Madi, Outfitters and Lemon Lime. Good choices for teaser head colours are Bloody Nose, Chartreuse and Purple Haze.
HALIBUT - Halibut fishing was good this past week. East Race and William Head were the most productive spots.
Victoria
Fishing for salmon was fair off Victoria this past week. The most productive area was Constance Bank where anglers have been catching feeder springs and a few coho. Spoons are working well on the bank with Skinny G’s and Wee G’s in Irish Cream, Blue/Silver and Herring Aid good colour choices. In closer, it’s been spotty for anglers trolling the Harbour area. Although some springs into the twenties caught this past week, most have been from 5 to 10 lbs in size. Ed Beatty and Alex Green teamed up for a 24.1 lb spring near the breakwater on the 17th. Anchovies have been the most productive bait this past week for springs and the Bloody Nose teaser has been working well. Spoons that have been successful in getting hook ups are Skinny G’s and Wee G’s, AP Tackleworks and Green/Glow and Cop Car Coyote spoons.
HALIBUT - Fishing was good for halibut this past weekend. Fishing has been best at Constance Bank and the Mud Hole.
Oak Bay
Salmon fishing was fair in Oak Bay. Winter springs have moved onto the Flats and anglers were getting limits of springs to 10 lbs. The salmon are feeding on needle fish close to the bottom. Most of the anglers have been either bottom bouncing small anchovies, squirts and spoons or jigging close to the bottom. Best bets for Oak Bay trolling lures are Wee Gs and Skinny Gs, Coho Killers and AP Tackleworks Sandlance spoons. Squirts will also work with Jelly fish and Electric Chairs good bets. Jiggers are doing best with Deep Stingers and Point Wilson darts.
HALIBUT - Fishing was good for halibut this past week.
Sidney
Salmon fishing was slower in the Sidney area. The best areas this past week were Mandarte Island and Hamley Point. Most of the salmon being caught now are undersized. Very few coho appear to be in the area. There has been a large run of squid near the James Island ferry wharf and anglers were taking advantage of it either by fishing for squid and/or salmon. Anglers using spoons found that Coho Killers, Gibbs Needle G and Wee G spoons and AP Sandlance spoons productive this past week. Suggested colours are Herring Aid and Irish Cream. Anchovies and Tiny Strip were also good in Glow or UV Purple teaser heads.
Originally published here.
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