Island Outfitters
Nick Noble (left) and Antonio Soto(right)
Vancouver Island Fishing Report - July 8/18
Island Outfitters has your Vancouver Island fishing Report to July 8th. Read the saltwater reports below for Port Renfrew, Sooke, Pedder Bay, Victoria, Oak Bay and Sidney as well as the freshwater report from the Cowichan River.
Remember to send in photos (in jpeg format) of your notable catches to their email info@fishingvictoria.com
SALTWATER
OVERVIEW
The Chinook fishing has been SPOTTY to GOOD around the south Island when the fog wasn’t too bad. into the low twenties were caught this past week and quite a few oversize, unclipped springs were caught and released. From June 29th to July 31st unclipped springs up to 85 cm can be retained. Coho have been plentiful in the Sooke area. Halibut fishing was SLOW this past week
PORT RENFREW
Salmon fishing was EXCELLENT at Swiftsure Bank and along the west shoreline of Vancouver Island. On average, the springs are ranging from 12 – 18 pounds with the odd one into the thirties. Along the shoreline, Camper and Logan all remain strong trolling a depth of 35’ – 50’ in water from 40’ – 70’. The hot lure in Port Renfrew lately has been the Gibbs Gold Nugget or Blue Nickel Skinny G and for Teaser heads with bait, the Chrome Joanne or Bloody Nose Teaser Heads. The Halibut fishing was also EXCELLENT. At this time, Port Renfrew is the most productive place to fish for both Salmon and Halibut on southern Vancouver Island at this time.
SOOKE
The salmon fishing was FAIR this past week. There have been lots of coho in the strait in water with many of the coho clipped fish. From June 29th to July 31st unclipped springs up to 85 cm can be retained. However, there have been quite a few over that size being caught and released. The area from the Bluffs to the Otter Point closed area was producing most of the action for springs. Good choices for teaser head colors are Peanut Butter, Tiger Prawn and Bloody Nose. Spoons such as Skinny G’s, Coho Killers and 4″ Coyote spoons have been good too. Hootchies in White, Glow/Green and Purple Haze are the top choices in plastic baits. For flashers, Red/Glow Hot Spots, the Delta Guide Series UV Moon Jelly, Madi and the Lemon Lime Chartreuse are popular.
BECHER BAY
Salmon fishing was GOOD in East Sooke. There are still coho in the area, especially out in the tide lines. The springs are closer in and tighter to the shoreline. The hot spot for springs this past week was from Aldridge Point to the Trap Shack. The best depths to fish have been between 40 to 60 feet. There have been good bites late in the day because of the full moon. Most of the clipped chinooks have been from 8 to 20 lbs but there have been some larger unclipped springs well over 85 cm. 12 year old Antonio Soto caught a beautiful 21 pound hatchery spring off of Aldridge Point. It took a 3" Lemon Lime AP Sandlance spoon.. Anchovies are the bait of choice. Good choices for teaser head colors 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 colors the favorites. The GIBBS Highliner Guide Series Outfitters, Madi, Lemon Lime and Red/Glow 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 OFF AND ON salmon fishing during the week, mainly because of fog preventing anglers from ranging too far from the bay. Most of the action has been late in the afternoon or evening. There is lots of bait in the bay .The majority of the salmon have been from 5 to 12 lbs in size but there have been some high teen’s hatchery fish being caught.. Best trolling depths have been 20- 40 ‘and 70-85 ‘.Coho salmon have been coming in from the shipping lanes. The anglers most consistently catching springs have been jigging rather than trolling. GIBBS 4 oz to 8 oz anchovies have been the best jigs to use here. Most anglers are using anchovies for bait with teaser head colors are Mint Pearl, Chartreuse and Bloody Nose. Squirts were good lures as well with green and glow, Purple Haze or UV white are good color choices. Spoons have been producing well 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 color choice in spoons. Flashers that are popular include the Guide Series Madi, Outfitters and Lemon Lime. Good choices for teaser head colors are Bloody Nose, Chartreuse and Purple Haze.
HALIBUT
Halibut fishing was SLOW this past week with the big currents. East Race and Constance Bank were the most productive spots.
VICTORIA
Fishing for salmon was SPOTTY off Constance Bank this past week when the current wasn’t too strong. Anglers were catching clipped springs in to the teens but most of the springs were 4-6 lb feeders. In closer, there were some springs from Esquimalt to Trial Island but the big run has not shown up yet. The most productive method has been jigging with the MacDeep the top jigging lure. Dave Bury had a good day on Sunday jigging up a 21.1 and a 9.14 off the waterfront. The best depths to fish have been 45 to 85 feet. Spoons have been successful in getting hook ups with Irish Cream Skinny G’s, Green/Glow AP Tackleworks Anchovy 3” Herring spoons and Green/Glow Coyote spoons popular choices.
HALIBUT
Fishing was SLOW for this past week with the big currents. Halibut fishing has been best at Constance Bank and the Mud Hole.
OAK BAY
Salmon fishing was FAIR in Oak Bay. The Flats was producing the best in the afternoon. The salmon are feeding on needle fish and small squid, close to the bottom. Most of the anglers have been either bottom bouncing 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 SLOW for halibut this past week.
SIDNEY
Salmon fishing was GOOD in the Sidney area. Hambley Point has been really good, especially in the evening. Moses Point, Sidney channel have also been good. Coal Island has been slower as of late. Anglers jigging have been having some success off the north end of Sidney Spit in 70-80 feet of water. 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.
FRESHWATER
OVERVIEW
Fishing was FAIR in most lakes for trout and REALLY GOOD for bass.
COWICHAN RIVER
The water level is low at summer levels. There are a lot more people float tubing in the river than fishing. Anglers are reporting action on both dry flies and nymphs very early in the morning and late in the evening. Good dry flies have been the Elk Hair Caddis and the Goddard Caddis. Pheasant tail nymphs have also been good. Watch out for tubers drifting in the river.
TROUT
Trout fishing has been FAIR for trout at the local lakes due to water temperatures warming up. That said, if you fish the thermocline you should get good action. The mornings and evenings should produce surface action for fly anglers. Shore anglers are catching trout on Powerbait, Gulp Eggs, and worms while fishing close to the bottom. Pink, Chartreuse and Fluorescent Yellow have been good choices recently for Powerbait. Fly anglers are fishing Wooly Buggers, Leeches and Muddler Minnow patterns on full sink fly lines most of the time to get into the lower water levels. There have been some chironomid hatches too. Trollers are catching trout with worms fished behind Gibbs Gang Trolls and on Gibbs Wedding Bands. 2” Tomic Plugs have also been working well for trout.
To find out about fish stockings all over the Island and the province, as well as the different strains being released, click on the link http://www.gofishbc.com/Stocked-Fish.aspx
BASS
Bass fishing is EXCELLENT on Island lakes. Most lakes are producing large fish as they are in the shallows for spawning. Soft plastics are a great choice when fishing structure close to shore. The most productive colors in 4” Yum baits are Smoke or Pumpkinseed. Drop shot fishing can also be very effective this time of year if you find fish in deeper water. During the day, spinner baits and crank baits are working well at times. Langford Lake, Shawnigan Lake, Prospect Lake and Elk and Beaver Lakes are the best local bass lakes. St. Mary’s Lake on Salt Spring Island is also a great lake for bass fishing.
FISH TIP OF THE WEEK
When checking your gear while salmon fishing, try to do it while you’re in a location where salmon are least likely to be caught. Most trolling locations have key areas of structure where the chance of getting a fish is most likely. Have your gear in the water there and check it when moving between hot spots, not at the hot spot.
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