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| Salt Water Fishing for April 27 |
| Overview |
Fishing was SPOTTY overall for winter springs. Halibut fishing was GOOD and anglers have been getting fish up to 87 lbs!
The 12th Annual Just for the Halibut Derby will be held on May 10th and 11th. First prize is $7,500 cash, 2nd prize is $2,500, and 3rd prize is $1,000 cash. A hidden weight “Bonus” prize is sponsored by SG Power. Tickets are available at Island Outfitters, Trotac Marine, Pedder Bay Marina or Cheanuh Marina. Call 250-475-4969 for more information. Good luck in the derby this wekend!
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| Sooke |
Salmon fishing was SPOTTY for winter springs, but very few anglers were out fishing. Most boats caught a spring or two, with some of the fish falling within the slot size for retention. The best depths have been from 115 to 150 feet. There are larger fish west of Sheringham Point for those anglers willing to travel a long distance. The best plastic baits to try are the Tiger Prawn, Glo Below or White hootchies or squirts. The best flashers have been the Silver/Green and the Jellyfish. With spoons try Army Truck, Mongoose or a Green/Glow color combinations with 4”, Gypsies, Titans and Coyotes. Anchovies are still catching fish and for teaser heads try Rhys Davis Anchovy Specials or JDF Teasers in Army Truck or Purple Haze.
HALIBUT Halibut fishing was GOOD near Jordon River with a half dozen fish in the 40 to 50 lb range weighed in this past week. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits and are usually fished off spreader bars. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance, you can use Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or the Glow in the Dark bullet Jigs. |
| Becher Bay |
| Salmon fishing was SLOW this past week, but hardly anybody was out all week. The Bedford Islands was the best spot with several springs in the 4 to 7 lb size caught there recently. The fish have been close to the bottom in around 115 of water. There are a few bigger fish, the one’s that have to be released Beechy Head. Anchovy and herring are the popular baits these days for winter springs. Purple Haze gear (flashers, teaser heads, squirts and hootchies) has been producing well recently and would be a good bet. If you fish spoons, try Mongoose or Green/Glow color patterns. In plastic baits, Purple Haze and White hootchies have been effective. The Cricket squirt has also been good. The most productive flasher was the Purple Haze.
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| Pedder Bay |
Salmon fishing was SPOTTY this past weekend. We’ve only heard of a few springs being caught in the bay, the largest weighing 9 lbs. But again, very few people went out. Anglers trolling bait should use small to medium anchovy or herring in Purple Haze or Glow teaser heads. The best flashers have been the Purple Haze and the Jellyfish. If you prefer to fish artificial bait, give Mongoose, Green/Glow or Army Truck 4” or 5” Coyote, Gypsies or Titan spoons a try. For plastic baits, Cricket, Purple Haze or White hootchies and squirts are good for springs.
HALIBUT Halibut fishing was GOOD this past weekend. Halibut weighed in this week were 87, 65, 53, 51, 44, 26 and 24 lbs in size. Laurie Spears weighed in an 87 and a 53 lb halibut this past week. Dan Hamill brought in a 65 pound halibut off Border Bank was using a Pink Lucky Jig. Fish have been caught in the Race Rocks area and near William Head as well. Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits and are usually fished off spreader bars. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance, you can use Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or the Glow in the Dark bullet Jigs.
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| Victoria Waterfront |
Salmon fishing was SPOTTY this past week. Anglers reported that the springs were scattered from Albert Head to Trial Island, and not really concentrated anywhere. There have been a few hatchery springs up to 12 lbs caught, besides the smaller slot limit size. In all areas the springs have been close to the bottom. Anchovies or herring strip have been the most productive baits. Good flashers have been the Red/Glow and the Purple/Glow Hot Spots and Oki’s. Plastic baits such as Cricket, Tiger Prawn or Purple Haze squirts fished behind White Glow or Purple Haze flashers have been catching fish too, especially if the fish are deep. Spoons have been very effective at times and the Cop Car, Green/Glow and Mongoose patterns have been the best.
HALIBUT Constance Bank and Albert Head were GOOD for halibut this past week. We’ve heard of lots of hali’s up to 50 lbs coming from the bank at slack tide. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits and are usually fished off spreader bars. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance, you can use Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or the Glow in the Dark bullet Jigs.igs. |
| Oak Bay |
Fishing was SPOTTY this past week. The best depths to fish have been from 100 to 115 feet and you should fish close to bottom around the ledges and reefs. If you use bait, try small anchovies in Glow teaser heads. Also effective are squirts in Tiger Prawn J-79, Cricket or Purple Haze colors. Smaller Spoons such as 3.5” or 4” Watermelon and Cop Car Coyote spoons are always a favorite in Oak Bay at this time of year.
HALIBUT Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week. Quite a few halibut up to 55 lbs were taken there in the past week. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits and are usually fished off spreader bars. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance, you can use Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or the Glow in the Dark bullet Jigs. |
| Sidney |
| Fishing was NOT BAD near Sidney. There were 82 salmon weighed in during the Port of Sidney Marina Derby this past Friday and Saturday. Eighty six boats fished in the derby and fish were caught near Wain Rock, Coal Island, Moses Point, Fairfax Point and near Hambley Point. It was quite slow in the Sidney Channel and down near the Powder Wharf. First place went to Rod Nau for a 30.5 lb spring caught near Arbutus Rock on cut plug herring. Rod won $18,000 in prize money and side bets. Rod is also the first contestant in the King Fisherman Contest. in the Second place and $2,500 went to Bruno Bauer for a 21 lb spring. Third place went and $1,000 to Mark Schinman for a 20.2 lb spring. |
| Notable Catches |
| Laurie Spears weighed in an 87 and a 53 lb halibut this past week. Dan Hamill brought in a 65 pound halibut off Border Bank was using a Pink Lucky Jig. First place went to Rob Nau for a 30.5 lb spring caught near Arbutus Rock on cut plug herring. Rob won $18,000 in prize money and side bets. Second place and $2,500 went to Bruno Bauer for a 21 lb spring. Third place went and $1,000 to Mark Schinman for a 20.2 lb spring. If you have any fishing info, notable catches or tips that you would like to share or have included in our fishing report, please email us at info@fishingvictoria.com.
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| Fresh Water Fishing for May 03 |
| Overview |
| Trout fishing is GOOD and bass fishing is PICKING UP, on the local lakes. Please remember that bass are closed for retention on all southern island lakes through June 15th.
If you have any fishing info or notable catches that you would like to share or have included in our fishing report, please email us at info@fishingvictoria.com.
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| Cowichan River |
| Water levels are around 0.55 meters near Lake Cowichan and there have been lots of insect hatches on the river. Anglers have beeen catching both brown and rainbow trout when fishing the river. Bead head nymphs, salmon fry and egg patterns are the best wet flies to use now. However, there have been some real big hatches on the river and dry flies are also catching some fish. The best dries have been Goddard caddis and various Mayfly patterns. Mid day is also the best time to fish the river. |
| Local Lakes |
| Trout fishing is GOOD on most lakes in the south island. The water temperature is warming, there’s increased insect activity and the fish are more active. Anglers fishing Powerbait from shore have consistently been catching some nice rainbows. Pink Powerbait Eggs with Shrimp scent has been the hot bait recently. Elk Lake has been slow for 2 to 3 lb rainbows, but Langford and Prospect have been good. Mike and Paul Wardell reported catching and releasing over two dozen trout on Prospect Lake recently. Some fly anglers are reporting good success with chironomids. Other fly anglers are fishing with the old standbys: Micro-Leeches, Wooly Buggers, Careys and Doc Spratleys, but mayfly and caddis nymph patterns such as Pheasant Tails, Halfbacks and Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ears are also good to try. Gear fishermen have been doing well trolling Luhr Jensen Needlefish spoons in a variety of colours or Tomic Wee-Tads in frog or rainbow patterns. Flatfish and/or Kwikfish have also been effective in sizes 7 and smaller in Frog, Yellow with Red Spots or Blue/Silver. Smaller Rapalas in Rainbow Trout or Brown Trout also work well, as long as they get down deep enough. Also, Willow Leaf Lake trolls with a worm-tipped GIBBS Wedding Band will almost always catch some fish. By the way, all wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released at Cowichan Lake.
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| Bass Fishing |
Bass fishing has been PICKING UP as the water temperature is slowly warming. The bass are starting to move into a little shallower water prior to spawning. By dragging a tube, soft plastic or grub you can find some more active, feeding fish in 12'-15' of water. Look for transition spots like humps or drop-offs that border good spawning areas. This is your chance to catch some of your biggest fish! Shawnigan Lake, Prospect Lake and Elk and Beaver Lakes have been the best spots for bass. St, Mary’s Lake on Saltspring Island would be another good spot to try.
Please remember that bass are closed for retention on all southern island lakes through June 15th.
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| Notable Catches |
| If you have any fishing info, notable catches or tips that you would like to share or have included in our fishing report, please email us at info@fishingvictoria.com. |
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| Fishing Tip for May 03 |
| Tip of the Week |
| Double up for halibut! When you bait up a herring for halibut, add a small piece of octopus to the trailing hook. That way, if a halibut steals your herring, you can leave the bait down and get the fish when it comes back for the octopus a few minutes later.
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| Leader Board as of May 03 |
| Halibut |
1) 155.6 lbs – Darrren Beasley - Oak Bay - Herring – April 26th
2) 144.1 lbs – Matt Davidson - Oak Bay - Herring - March 8th
3) 99.4 lbs – Al Zallburg – Oak Bay - Herring – March 31st
4) 79.4 lbs – Neil Findlow – Albert Head – Herring – March 14th
5) 77.9 lbs – Andrew Stawicki – Oak Bay - Herring – April 26th
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| Salmon |
1) 27.4 lbs – Robin Quenet – Nanaimo – March 11th (Cleaned weight)
2) 27.3 lbs – Chris Veitch - Pedder Bay Can Buoy - Anchovy - March 9th
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