Island Outfitters
Kirt Rompain and Kurt Horne with three coho, and a surprise 24 lb spring, caught between the Head and the Bedfords, on October 2.
Island Outfitters
SALTWATER OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing was hit and miss this past week. Coho are the target species as they are moving towards their natal streams. If you get into a school you’ll do really well, but if you don’t find them, you are going to get skunked. Small feeder (winter) springs are showing up in large numbers near Victoria. Halibut fishing was FAIR this past weekend.
For the latest details on recreational fishery openings and closures in your area: A) Call 1-866-431-FISH or 604-666-2828 (24-hour phone line); B) Visit our web page http://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm to find applicable fishery notices; or C) Follow our sport fishing Twitter account https://twitter.com/sportfishingbc
SOOKE – The salmon fishing was GOOD for coho if you could find them. The winning fish in the Sooke Coho derby was a 17.5 lb coho caught by Sean Hutchinson. The hatchery fish were running from 7–15 lbs, and some of the wild, unmarked coho were even heavier. The unclipped fish once again greatly outnumbered the clipped fish this past week. The coho have been found most often in 400 to 600 feet of water and at depths from 50 to 120 feet. The best bet is to fish the tide lines with spoons and plastics, the most popular lure choices.
BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was FAIRLY STEADY this past week. The coho fishing has been the focus for anglers. Most of the coho have been from 7 to 11 lbs with the odd “teener” being caught. Those who targeted coho did quite well using spoons and hootchies and were having their best success in water depths from 200-500 feet. A couple of springs in the 20’s were taken as incidental catches while fishing for coho.
PEDDER BAY –Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week. The coho fishing is best out at water depths of 450 feet or more in the shipping lanes, rather than in close. Most of the coho have been from 8 to 14 lbs. The best depths for coho were from 90 to 120 feet on the downrigger. The chinook fishing has definitely slowed down in Pedder Bay. Most of the springs being caught are small feeder springs.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week. The best areas were Race Rocks, William Head, 27 Fathom Reef and Constance Bank.
VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was SLOW this past week. The best fishing has been out at Constance Bank where there are some feeder springs up to 8 lbs. However, most are around the minimum size (45 cm) for retention. Some coho are also getting caught there, but it has been spotty for them.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week with the best areas being Constance Bank, Border Bank and the Mud Hole.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was SLOW again this past week. There were some springs up to 8 lbs caught on the flats, but not too many. The coho haven’t been running strong in this area either.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week.
SIDNEY– Salmon fishing was SPOTTY this past week. The Pender Bluffs produced some coho and the occasional chum salmon. However, the bite periods were infrequent. The coho were in 40 – 120 feet depths. We did hear of a 10 lb hatchery winter (feeder) spring caught by the red can in the Channel.
FRESHWATER OVERVIEW – Fishing is GOOD in most lakes for trout and FAIR for bass.
TROUT – Trout fishing is GOOD on most lakes in the South Island area.
BASS – Bass fishing is FAIR. Langford Lake, Shawnigan Lake, Prospect Lake, Elk Lake 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
Cover water! Most of the time when you hit one Coho, you hit another, and then another. This is because Coho usually travel in schools in search of baitfish. In order to locate some Coho, it is important to continue covering different water and depths until you have found a school. Try spreading your lines all at different depths and try not to get stuck sitting in one spot against the tide.
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