Vancouver & area salt water fishing report
Pursuit Sport Fishing
January has been good for winter chinook fishing so far here in Vancouver, as well as over on the island in Victoria, Comox, Nanaimo and the south islands. Good reports of fat, healthy chinook being hooked each day when the weather cooperates and allows anglers out on the water.
Locally, a 28 lb. beauty was landed last week in Tunstall Bay off Bowen Island, and good numbers of 10-15 lb. chinook from Howe Sound and the southern Gulf islands. Fishing has been very good over at Porlier Pass with reports from our friends and colleagues of 12- to 20-fish days. Lot of undersize chinook, but a few nice keepers in the mix. There has been good reports from the Coal Ports, West Van, Howe Sound and around Bowen Island.
The ratio of undersize/legal fish will change fast over the next few months in our area as most of these 'just-under' chinook will be legal fish by March and April. Chinook put on weight fast typically as they feed heavily every day. I have been noticing massive amounts of herring each charter and this is great news because not only does it mean a healthy eco system, it means these chinook will stick around in the area to feed.
Keep your gear as close to the bottom as possible this time of year in most areas unless the bait is suspended, and do not use too large of spoons and hoochies - 1.5" to 3" spoons will match the size of herring out there right now. Late February and March larger presentations can work as the large, spawning herring move into the areas along eastern Vancouver island.
For January and February, small squirts in green, blue, purple and white work well. Small Tomic plugs in white, pearl and light greens can also be dynamite. No need for a flasher when trolling plugs and when trolling spoons and hoochies, keep your gear close to the bottom by dragging your cannon ball once in a while in the sand/mud. Glow spoons are the most productive lures by far in the winter but UV and plain chrome, brass and silver spoons also work well trolling the shallower flats in the Vancouver harbour, on the island and south of the Fraser mouth. Troll a bit faster than normal as these chinook are feeding aggressively and are not mature feeders yet. A darting and active presentation will cause more strikes than if they have too much time to inspect the presentation.
Crab and prawn fishing has also been good.
We have a great winter fishery here in south eastern B.C. so get out there and enjoy it. Book a charter with a professional guide in your area or dust off your gear and get your boat on the water.