Fishing Report for Week Ending April 29, 2012

SALTWATER

OVERVIEW – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week with good weather on the weekend for a change.. Salmon fishing was SLOW to GOOD on the weekend. Seals are still a problem for anglers fishing off of Victoria.

Visit our facebook page to see reports, news and videos by our guides and staff from their most recent trips!

Sooke – Salmon fishing was FAIR for slot limit size winter. The fish are still deep, and close to the bottom, from 110 to 160 feet on the downrigger, in 100 to 180 feet of water. Most of the action is coming from along the Bluffs to the trailer Park. Anchovies are catching the most fish and have been working best in Bloody Nose and Army Truck teaser heads. The fish are hitting hootchies as well, especially white ones. Other hootchies and squirts are good in Purple Haze, Cloverleaf and Glo Below. Cop Car or Green/Silver Coyote spoons have also been good for springs. The best flasher has been the Silver Betsey and Silver Fever Hot Spot.

Halibut – – Halibut fishing was FAIR over the weekend. No “barn doors” but some nice “chickens”. Extra Large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. Berkely Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.

Becher Bay – The fishing was SLOWER for winter springs. There were several hatchery Chinooks caught, as well as smaller slot size salmon. There were some fish taken inside the bay near the flagpole and nearLambIsland. It was slow fishing around the Trap Shack and towardsIronMineBay. Fishing close to the bottom is the key to success in all areas. The hot bait this past week was the anchovy. The best teaser heads for anchovies were the Purple Haze and the Bloody Nose. The best flashers have been the Green/Silver Hot Spots and Oki’s and Army Truck. Hootchies and squirts were good in White/Silver, Glo Below and Mint Tulip. Cop Car, Glow/Green or Green/Silver spoons have also been good for springs.

Pedder Bay – Salmon fishing was GOOD but very few anglers were out for salmon. Springs wer caught nearChristopherPoint andWhirlBay. Most of the salmon were less than 8 lbs but there were a few hatchery ones over the slot size. Ray Monk took girlfriend Heather Ireland out salmon fishing for the day on Sunday the 29th. Heather landed her first salmon, a 20 lb wild spring. The big salmon was caught trolling in 130' of water with the gear on the bottom, on an anchovy in a purple haze teaser and Silver Betsey flasher. The fish was successfully released right after pictures were taken. They managed to land 2 wild springs that both fell with in the slot limit and also lost a 4th fish as well. Anchovies are the most productive bait now. The best teaser heads for anchovies were the Army Truck, Purple Haze and the Bloody Nose. The best flashers have been the Silver Betsey and Army Truck. Hootchies and squirts were good in Glo Below, Mint Tulip and Purple Haze. Kingfisher spoons in Green/White or Black/Glow and Green/Silver Coyote spoons have also worked very well for the salmon.

Halibut – – Halibut fishing was GOOD on the weekend. Halibut up to 77 lbs were brought in, but no “barn doors” and lots of “chickens”. Many boats brought in limits while others were skunked. The East Race area was a good spot on the weekend. Extra Large herring, mackerel, salmon bellies and/or octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. Berkely Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.

Victoria Waterfront – Salmon fishing was GOOD out at Constance Bank this past week. At the bank anglers were catching salmon up to 12 lbs but most fish were within the slot size restriction. The fish were in all areas of the bank. Closer in, anglers caught a few fish near Victoria Harbor and Albert Head, but the fishing there was not nearly as good as on the bank. The springs have shone a preference for bait over artificial lures these past few past weeks. Anchovies are the most productive bait now and have been working best in Bloody Nose teaser heads. Coho Killers, Green/Glow and Army Truck spoons are working well for winter springs. Hootchies and squirts are good in Electric Chair, Cloverleaf and Glo Below. Good flashers have been the Green/Glow and Green/Silver Hot Spots.

Halibut – – Halibut fishing was GOOD on the weekend. Constance Bank was the best spot. The big fish of the weekend was a 90.9 lb halibut caught by Jay Elford. A 55 lb hali was caught by Dan Burkmar. Extra Large herring, Salmon Bellies and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. Berkely Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.

Oak Bay – Salmon fishing was FAIR on the Flats for springs up to 12 lbs. Anglers had been catching salmon while trolling in the Gap and on the Flats, just east of Brodie Rock. The best bet is trolling right on bottom in 100 to 150 feet of water with squirts, Baitrix tiny strip, small anchovy or Coho Killer spoons. Good squirts are the Cloverleaf, J-79 and Electric Chair. With spoons, 3½” or 4” Gypsy, Titans, and Coyotes in Cop Car or Silver/Green colors and the Gold Star Coho Killer. Glow in the dark flashers would be the best choice for springs now.

Halibut – – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past weekend. Several halibut were seen at the Cattle Point ramp on the weekend. .Extra large herring, Salmon Bellies and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. Berkely Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. Berkely Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.

Sidney – Salmon fishing was GOOD near Sidney. With the restrictions in other areas, anglers who want to keep and retain large salmon are heading to this area with good reason. On Saturday, the Sidney Anglers Association held their 2^nd Annual Salmon Derby. 133 tickets were sold and 57 fish were entered in the derby. First place went to a 23.1 lb spring caught by Chase Mollberg near the Red Can. He was using an anchovy in a Glow/Frog teaser head. Second place went to Mike Stutzel for a 21.5 lb spring caught near Cordova Spit. Third place went to Ryan Melvin for a 17 lb spring caught on cut plug herring. There were a lot of other smaller salmon that were caught but not entered in the derby. The most abundant feed in the area is needlefish and homemade Tiny Strip is working very well for catching salmon. Other anglers have been catching springs using anchovies in Bloody Nose, Purple Haze and UV Green teaser heads. Squirts have been out producing hootchies and the hot patterns for springs are the J-79, Glow Below and Electric Chair. Mongoose Coyote spoons have also been working well.

Notable Catches – Heather Ireland caught and released her first salmon, a 20 lb wild spring. Jay Elford landed a 90.9 lb halibut and Dan Burkmar a 55 lb halibut. On Saturday, the Sidney Anglers Association held their 2^nd Annual Salmon Derby. First place went to a 23.1 lb spring caught by Chase Mollberg near the Red Can. He was using an anchovy in a Glow/Frog teaser head. Second place went to Mike Stutzel for a 21.5 lb spring caught near Cordova Spit. Third place went to Ryan Melvin for a 17 lb spring caught on cut plug herring.

Please send photos and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.com

FRESHWATER

OVERVIEW – Trout fishing is GOOD on most lakes in the South Island area. The weather has improved and the water temperature is increasing so the fish are becoming more active. We’ve had some great reports from many the local lakes. Bass fishing is improving too, but bass are closed for retention on all southern island lakes through June 15^th.

Cowichan River – The water level on theCowichanRiver is still high. The water level is at 1.4 meters nearDuncan. Water clarity has been excellent and there are still a few steelhead (mostly kelts) in the river. There is a log across the river aboveSkutzFalls that is quite dangerous for those thinking of drifting the river. Both gear and fly anglers have been catching fish. For steelhead, good lures to fish are Spin ‘n Glo’s, Corkies, Gooey Bobs and the always reliable Pink Worm. We’ve also had reports of anglers using large Golden Stone Fly nymphs below strike indicators or floats and being very, very successful. Although many anglers are successful catching steelhead on flies, most anglers chose to use floats and gear. The trout fishing at the top end is starting to pick up with some insects hatching now.

Local Lakes – Trout fishing is GOOD on most lakes in theSouth Island area. The weather has improved and the water temperature is increasing. We’ve had some great reports from all the local lakes.

Spring stocking of the local lakes has happened on all lakes scheduled to receive fish. Catchable rainbow trout were released into many local lakes in early April. On April 2^nd Elk Lake received another 2,185 catchable rainbow trout, Durrance Lake 1,000 catchable rainbow trout and Thetis Lake 700 catchable rainbow trout. On April 3^rd, Langford Lake received another 1,100 catchable rainbow trout and Glen, Kemp, Matheson and Spectacle Lakes each received 500 catchable rainbow trout. On April 4^th, Shawnigan Lake received another 1,632 catchable rainbow trout. So far this spring, 47,673 catchable rainbow trout have been released into Vancouver Island Lakes.

Many anglers are catching trout on both Powerbait, Gulp! eggs, or worms, especially while fishing from the shore. Fly anglers are mostly using Wooly Buggers or leech patterns. Trollers have been doing OK with a variety of lures but we’ve heard tat the Orange Hot Shot has been good. The Rhys Davis Baitrix Trout lures and UV Mini Strip Teasers work well for larger fish too. Other good trolling lures are the Apex Trout Killers with the police car one of the best and the black with silver glitter spots taking second place. Flatfish and/or Kwikfish have also been effective in sizes 5 to 7 in Frog, Yellow with Red Spots or Blue/Silver. Smaller Rapalas in Rainbow Trout or Brown Trout patterns also work well. Lastly,WillowLeafLaketrolls with a worm-tipped GIBBS Wedding Band will almost always catch some fish. The biggest trout continue to be caught atElkLakewithLangfordLakebeing your next best bet to hook into a real “lunker”. By the way, all wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released inCowichanLake.

Bass Fishing - Bass fishing is PICKING UP. The bass are still in the prespawn stage but are entering the shallower waters and becoming more active. Slow presentations with soft plastics work best but crank baits are starting to produce as well. 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. Please remember that bass are closed for retention on all southern island lakes through June 15^th.

Notable Catches – Please send photos and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.com

FISH TIP OF THE WEEK

What’s your Line? Is it strong and kink free or is it weakened from hard fishing? If it is monofilament, it’s a good habit to regularly check the first 20 to 30 feet of line for kinks, nicks, and scratches. Cutting off the weakened section can reduce the chances of losing that big one to a broken line.

Island Outfitters Leader Board – 2012

Halibut

1) 162.3 lbs – Des Hatchard – Prot Renfrew – Herring - April 15^th

2) 145.6 lbs – Ken Emms – OakBay– Herring - April 15^th

3) 115.4 lbs – Andrew Stawicki – OakBay– Herring - March 17^th

4) 113.9 lbs – Gerry Brummand – Constance Bank –Hootchy– April 14^th

5) 104.0 lbs – Scott Craven – Oak Bay –Salmon belly– March 16^th

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 biggest one this year!

2012 DERBIES and EVENTS

Island Outfitters starts and ends the year with the free for fun and prizes Salmon and Halibut Leader Board. Simply weigh your catch in at Island Outfitters and the top five fish in each category on December 31^st wins a special prize. Everybody who enters a fish gets a prize! Maybe it will be you bringing in the big one! Please let us know as early as possible about your up coming events in 2012!

See our event pages for upcoming events!

May 12^th and 13^th: The 16^th Annual Just for the Halibut Derby. 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, Pedder Bay Marina or Cheanuh Marina. Call 250-475-4969 for more information.