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| Salt Water Fishing for February 07 |
| Overview |
Salmon fishing was FAIR in most areas. Halibut fishing was EXCELLENT for the everywhere this past weekend.
If you have any fishing info, notable catches, digital photos (please send as attachments) 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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| Sooke |
Salmon fishing was BETTER this past week for winter (feeder) springs. Not too many boats were out for salmon since it was the opening weekend for halibut, but some nice fish were caught. Most of the fish that were caught were running between 7 to 11 lbs in size. The largest one that we know of tipped the scales at 18 lbs. Most anglers have been trolling deep and close to the bottom, around 110 to 150 feet on the downrigger in 120 to 160 feet of water. The most consistent action has been near the off Secretary Island, the mouth of the Sooke Harbour and off the Bluffs. Most anglers fishing for springs are using hootchies and spoons more than anything else, but bait is still very productive. The best hootchies or squirts to try are the Cloverleaf aka Pistachio, Glow Bud aka Glo Below, Purple Haze, Electric Chair or white. Anchovies, small herring or strip in Bloody Nose or Green Glow heads were catching fish. The best flashers have been ones with lots of glow in the dark on one or both sides.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was EXCELLENT this past weekend. Halibut up to 65 lbs were weighed in and some boats limited out. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. Berekely Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance, you can use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs.
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| Becher Bay |
Salmon fishing was PRETTY GOOD on the weekend. Just like last weekend, the action was fairly slow in the bay and near Lamb Island, and best near the Trap Shack and O’Brien Point. The fish were between 130 to 175 feet down and most were is the 7 to 13 lb size range. Small herring and anchovy in Bloody Nose, Purple Haze and Green Glow teasers were producing fish. Many anglers were also using hootchies, squirts and/or spoons with success too. The Glo Below, Pistachio or Electric Chair are good choices at this time of year when you’re trolling plastic and Green/Silver spoons are working when fishing right off the bottom. Halibut fishing was EXCELLENT and the marina reported halibut of 71, 65, 49 lbs and lots in the 20’s hitting the dock.
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| Pedder Bay |
It was FAIR for winter springs near Pedder Bay. However, most anglers were out for halibut and not salmon. Like last week, Church Rock, Christopher Point and Whirl Bay were the better spots, while a few came from inside Pedder Bay. Some of the boats caught salmon many did not. Most of the springs ranging from 5 to 8 lbs with a few larger ones caught. Anglers did best on anchovies or small herring fished in Glow, Nose Bleed or Purple Haze teaser heads. The best flashers have been Glow in the dark ones and the Purple Haze. If you’re using hootchies and squirts for springs, try the Pistachio, Glow Bud, Electric Chair or white. Spoons usually work very well for springs at this time of year, especially if they have green highlights. Crabbing has been good too.
HALIBUT Halibut fishing was EXCELLENT this past weekend. Halibut up to 65 lbs were weighed in and some boats limited out. Halibut were reported from Albert Head all the way around to Church Rock. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. Berekely Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance, you can use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs.
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| Victoria Waterfront |
Salmon fishing was FAIR this past week. Many of the boats fishing caught nothing, while some caught springs up to 12 lbs. Most of the action came from Constance Bank and not close in. Alec Green and Ed Beatty reported hooking seven springs and keeping four weighing from 8 to 12 lbs, losing one to a seal and two long line releases. They also landed a 35 lb halibut while trolling for the salmon. Most of our hits were on the south side of the bank, right on the bottom with dark green/silver 4” coyote spoons.
From trial Island to Albert Head it was slow. Just about all the springs are being caught within 20 feet of the bottom in 120 to 180 feet of water. The seals are not as bad as in previous weeks but still a problem at times. We’ve also heard that herring are starting to be caught off the Craigflower Bridge in the Gorge
Anchovies and herring are top producers this time of year, especially in the smaller sizes. Green UV Magnum, Glow green and Bloody Nose have been the best teaser head colors for springs. Good lures recently have been Green/Silver or Green/Glow Coyote spoons and Pistachio, Mint Tulip and Purple Haze hootchies and squirts. Good flashers have been the Hot Spot Green/Silver, BIG SHOOTER Purple Haze and Green Glow.
HALIBUT Halibut fishing was EXCELLENT this past weekend. Halibut up to 65 lbs were weighed in and some boats limited out. However, the dogfish were really abundant so bring LOTS of bait if you’re going out there soon. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. Berekely Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance, you can use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs. |
| Oak Bay |
Salmon fishing was FAIR this past week with winter springs in the 4 to 10 lb size range were being caught on the Flats. The springs were close to the bottom where needlefish and candlefish are the major food source for the salmon. The most successful method for springs was trolling right on bottom with either squirts or 4” spoons. Try fishing the Gap or the Flats with small anchovies, Jellyfish, Electric Chair or Glo Below squirts. With spoons, 3½” or 4” Gypsy, Titans or Coyotes in Silver/ Blue or Silver/Green colors also catch a lot of fish in Oak Bay.
HALIBUT Halibut fishing was EXCELLENT this past weekend. Halibut up to 40 lbs were weighed in and some boats limited out. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. Berekely Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance, you can use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs.
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| Sidney |
Salmon fishing was SLOW this past week. We’ve really haven’t heard of springs being caught in Sidney Channel or by the Red Can Buoy. It was slow at Moresby Island although there was lots of bait there. We heard of one spring being lost near Coal Island. Bob Haney reported picking up a 38 lb halibut while trolling for salmon near the Powder Wharf. Spoons have been good recently with Green and Glow colors producing best. The best soft plastic lures to use for springs now are Glo Below, Pistachio and Purple Haze Squirts. Small anchovies or Tiny Strip have been the best natural bait.
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| Notable Catches |
Alec Green and Ed Beatty reported hooking seven springs and keeping four weighing from 8 to 12 lbs, losing one to a seal and two long line releases. They also landed a 35 lb halibut while trolling for the salmon. Bob Haney reported picking up a 38 lb halibut while trolling for salmon near the Powder Wharf. If you have any fishing info, notable catches, digital photos (please send as attachments) 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 February 07 |
| Overview |
Trout fishing is FAIR and bass fishing is SLOW on the local lakes. The water temperature is low and the fish are not very active. Steelheading is GOOD on the Cowichan River. If you have any fishing info, notable catches, digital photos (please send as attachments) 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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| Cowichan River |
The Cowichan is in good shape as the water level had dropped around 1.5 meters near the lake and 1.4 meters near Duncan. It looks to be in good shape all this week. Quite a few fish were being caught but the river has changed quite a bit and anglers have to find the new steelhead lies. Pink Jensen eggs with yarn have been very effective. Other good lures to fish are Spin ‘n Glo’s, Corkies, Gooey Bobs, jigs and the always reliable Pink Worm.
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| Local Lakes |
Trout fishing is SLOW on most lakes in the south island area.However there have been reports of chironomid hatches with accompanying fish action in Elk, Langford and Prospect Lakes. Anglers fishing Powerbait from shore have been doing OK. Paul Tilley reported catching rainbow trout on orange and pink Powerbait at Thetis Lake. Fly anglers are doing well trolling leeches and general searching patterns such as Doc Spratelys and Carey Special. Fluorescent Pink and Chartreuse Powerbait Eggs have been the hottest bait recently. Trollers have been doing OK with the Baitrix Trout lures in Holographic colours, especially for larger fish. They have also been doing well trolling Apex Trout Killers with the police car one the best and the black with silver glitter spots taking second place. 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 patterns also work well. Lastly, 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 in Cowichan Lake.
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| Bass Fishing |
Bass fishing was SLOW this past week. As the water temperature drops, bass become less and less active. Slow, finesse presentations such as tubes and plastic worms will work best now. Langford Lake, Shawnigan Lake, Prospect Lake and Elk and Beaver Lakes are the best local bass lakes.
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| Notable Catches |
| Paul Tilley reported catching rainbow trout on orange and pink Powerbait at Thetis Lake. If you have any fishing info, notable catches, digital photos (please send as attachments) 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 February 07 |
| Tip of the Week |
When the dogfish are really thick and you’re running out of bait, try switching to a large 6” or 7” spoon on a short leader off of your spreader bar or using a jig. The dogfish will leave these lures alone and the halibut will readily strike them.
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| Leader Board as of February 07 |
| Halibut |
We are now waiting for the first “barndoors” of the season to be weighed in at the store.
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| Salmon |
We are now waiting for the first big springs of the year to be weighed in at the store. Maybe you will be bringing in the big one this year!
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