CartFishing Report for Week Ending Aug 5, 2012
Fishing Report for Week Ending Aug 5, 2012
SALTWATER
OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing was EXCELLENT west of Race Rocks and SLOWER east of Race Rocks. There are still lots of coho in Juan De Fuca Strait with many of the coho marked, hatchery fish, delighting anglers. Chinook fishing picked up from last week, especially in along the shore in Port Renfrew, Sooke, Oak Bay and on Constance Bank. Halibut fishing was FAIR although dogfish were a problem.
Visit our facebook page to enter our fishing picture contest and see reports, news and videos by our guides and staff from their most recent trips!
Port Renfrew – Fishing has been VERY GOOD in Port Renfrew. Swiftsure Bank has been good for spring salmon running from 10 to 25 lbs, coho to 12 lbs and halibut to 30 lbs. Closer in, it’s picked up for big springs. The best fishing has been near Logan and Camper creeks.
Heather Lait with her 30 lb spring from Otter Point.
Sooke – Salmon fishing was EXCELLENT for cohos his past week. Quite a lot hatchery coho up to 12 lbs in size have been caught with most boats getting limits. The coho were generally out farther into the strait, along the tide lines. Some Sockeyes are being caught but are not available retention at this time and must be released, just as the wild coho have to be released. A few pink salmon were also caught. Spring salmon fishing has definitely picked up for springs up to 43 lbs. Most springs were caught near Secretary Island and Possession Point and near Otter Point. Anchovies and herring are catching the most springs. Bloody Nose, Glow Green and Purple Haze teaser heads. The best flasher has been the O’KI Super Betsey and HOT SPOT Gold Fever Hot. The fish will also hit hootchies and squirts, especially white ones. Other hootchies and squirts that are good are Purple Haze, Cloverleaf and Glo Below. Blue/Silver or Green/Silver Coyote spoons have also been good for coho.
After a slow morning of fishing, Heather Lait caught a 30 lb spring off Otter Point on anchovy fished in a bloody nose teaser with a Betsy flasher. Emily and David Lait help cheer on mom. It was one of 4 springs they caught late Friday afternoon.
Halibut – Halibut fishing was FAIR over 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. You can also use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, a Jig-a-Lu, Big Eye Jigs, Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.
Becher Bay – It was EXCELLENT for cohos his past week farther out on the tide lines in the Strait. Anglers have been bringing back lots of hatchery coho up to 12 lbs, besides the occasional chinook out there. Anglers targeting the coho have usually have been getting limit catches of hatchery marked fish. Closer to shore, the number of big springs being caught picked up on the weekend. The best spot was the Trap shack where springs up to 42 lbs were caught. Most of the springs are being caught between 55 and 120 feet and weigh in the teens and twenties. The favored bait this past week was once again anchovy in a teaser head. The best teaser head colours were Bloody Nose, Army Truck, Green Glow and Purple Haze. The best flashers have been the Super Betsey and the Gold Fever. Hootchies and squirts were good in White, Glo Below and Purple Haze. Cop Car, Mongoose Coyotes or Green/Silver Coho Killer spoons have been good for both springs and coho.
Pedder Bay – Salmon fishing was EXCELLENT for cohos most of this past week. The action was best a couple of miles out on the tide lines and shipping lanes. The fishing for springs off Church Rock and Whirl Bay was BETTER than last week, with fish up to 28 lbs being caught. Most of the springs caught in Pedder Bay and by William Head were feeders. Anchovies are the most popular bait now. The best teaser heads for anchovies were the Glow Green, Purple Haze and the Bloody Nose. The best flashers have been the Silver Fever and Super Betsey. Hootchies and squirts were good in White, 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. The Coho Killer spoons have been deadly on coho when trolled quickly.
Halibut – Halibut fishing was GOOD on the weekend. Halibut up to 30 lbs were brought in this past weekend. Berkeley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, a Jig-a-Lu, Big Eye Jigs, Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.
James Swan ( age 10 ) with two salmon caught by him and his dad. The smaller 20 lb spring was his first salmon!
Victoria Waterfront – Salmon fishing was GOOD out at Constance Bank and SLOW off the waterfront this past weekend. Out at the bank there were a few hatchery coho as well as springs into the high teens. Although there were lots of boats by the breakwater, most of them never caught a fish. It’s been averaging about one spring for every 5 to 8 boats. On Sunday’s creel survey, only 8 springs were counted, and 6 of them were from Constance Bank. There have been some large ones all along the waterfront though. Jim Dow caught 29 & 8 lb springs during the week. Lance Foreman picked up 25 1/2 and 21 lb springs along the waterfront. The best fishing was during the tide changes. Small anchovies are the most productive bait now and have been working best in UV Green, Clear/Green Scale and Bloody Nose teaser heads. Green/Silver coyotes and Coho Killer spoons are working well out on Constance Bank. Hootchies and squirts are good in Electric Chair, Cloverleaf and Glo Below. Good flashers have been the Ok’I Betsey and Green/Gold and Gold Fever Hot Spots.
Halibut – Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week for chickens. Constance Bank was the best spot. 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, a Jig-a-Lu, Big Eye Jigs, Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish, and there are lots of dogfish around now.
Oak Bay – Salmon fishing was GOOD on the Flats for most of last week, but it did slow down by the weekend. There were some nice fish into the low 20’s caught. The best fishing has been just east of Brodie Rock in 80 to 110 feet of water. The best bet is trolling right on bottom in 80 to 130 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 FAIR this past 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, a Jig-a-Lu, Big Eye Jigs, Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.
Sidney – Salmon fishing was SLOW near Sidney. The best fishing has come from Hambley Point for springs up to 12 lbs. Moresby Island, and Coal Island have both been very slow and we haven’t even heard of a salmon taken there. Anglers have not been using much bait as the dogfish are there in heavy numbers. 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 Lait caught a 30 lb spring off Otter Point on anchovy fished in a bloody nose teaser with a Betsy flasher. Jim Dow caught a 29 spring during the week by the breakwater. Lance Foreman picked up 25 1/2 and 21 lb springs along the waterfront this past week.
Please send photos and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.com
Freshwater
Local Lakes – Trout fishing is SLOWER on most lakes in the South Island area. The water temperature is increasing and the fish are moving closer to the bottom where the temperature is cooler. Many anglers are catching trout on both Powerbait, Gulp! eggs, or worms, especially while fishing from shore. Fly anglers are doing well using Wooly Buggers, Leeches or Micro Leech patterns when fishing deep. That said, there has been a lot of surface activity lately and both Caddis and mayflies are hatching on most lakes. 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, Willow Leaf Lake trolls with a worm-tipped GIBBS Wedding Band will almost always catch some fish. The biggest trout continue to be caught at Elk Lake with Langford Lake being 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.
There are also lots of carp inBeaverLakeright now and anglers are having fun trying to catch them. Dough balls have been traditionally effective bait for carp.
Bass Fishing - Bass fishing is EXCELLENT. Top water lures are working well in the mornings and evenings. During the day, soft plastics rigged Carolina style work well and crank baits can work well tool. 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.
Notable Catches – Please send photos and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.com
Check your lines, frequently! When trolling for salmon, you should never leave a line down more than 20 to 30 minutes without checking to see if your bait is still working properly. Quite often a fish will strike it without getting hooked and ruin the bait, or you will get some weed on the bait, or maybe even have a small fish on that you don’t even know about. Only by checking your line can you know if you’re still fishing.
2) 145.6 lbs – Ken Emms – OakBay– Herring - April 15th
3) 144.5.4 lbs – Trevor MacDougall – OakBay– Herring - May 12th
4) 142.6 lbs – Andrew Stawicki – HaroStrait– Octopus - May 13th
5) 133.5 lbs – Andrew Stawicki – Haro Strait – Octopus – June 11th
1) 39.4 lbs – Curtis Petres – Trap Shack – Anchovy – July 2nd
2) 34.8 lbs – Jason Whittaker – Beechey Head – Anchovy – June 23rd
3) 30.0 lbs – Debbie Campbell – Beechey Head – Anchovy - June 27th
4) 28.6 lbs – Duane Bertrand – Trap Shack – Anchovy - June 20th
5) 28.5 lbs – Falon Lancey – Sherringham Point – Anchovy - May 25th
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 31st 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 and like us on facebook!
SALTWATER
OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing was EXCELLENT west of Race Rocks and SLOWER east of Race Rocks. There are still lots of coho in Juan De Fuca Strait with many of the coho marked, hatchery fish, delighting anglers. Chinook fishing picked up from last week, especially in along the shore in Port Renfrew, Sooke, Oak Bay and on Constance Bank. Halibut fishing was FAIR although dogfish were a problem.
Visit our facebook page to enter our fishing picture contest and see reports, news and videos by our guides and staff from their most recent trips!
Port Renfrew – Fishing has been VERY GOOD in Port Renfrew. Swiftsure Bank has been good for spring salmon running from 10 to 25 lbs, coho to 12 lbs and halibut to 30 lbs. Closer in, it’s picked up for big springs. The best fishing has been near Logan and Camper creeks.
Heather Lait with her 30 lb spring from Otter Point.Sooke – Salmon fishing was EXCELLENT for cohos his past week. Quite a lot hatchery coho up to 12 lbs in size have been caught with most boats getting limits. The coho were generally out farther into the strait, along the tide lines. Some Sockeyes are being caught but are not available retention at this time and must be released, just as the wild coho have to be released. A few pink salmon were also caught. Spring salmon fishing has definitely picked up for springs up to 43 lbs. Most springs were caught near Secretary Island and Possession Point and near Otter Point. Anchovies and herring are catching the most springs. Bloody Nose, Glow Green and Purple Haze teaser heads. The best flasher has been the O’KI Super Betsey and HOT SPOT Gold Fever Hot. The fish will also hit hootchies and squirts, especially white ones. Other hootchies and squirts that are good are Purple Haze, Cloverleaf and Glo Below. Blue/Silver or Green/Silver Coyote spoons have also been good for coho.
After a slow morning of fishing, Heather Lait caught a 30 lb spring off Otter Point on anchovy fished in a bloody nose teaser with a Betsy flasher. Emily and David Lait help cheer on mom. It was one of 4 springs they caught late Friday afternoon.
Halibut – Halibut fishing was FAIR over 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. You can also use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, a Jig-a-Lu, Big Eye Jigs, Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.
Becher Bay – It was EXCELLENT for cohos his past week farther out on the tide lines in the Strait. Anglers have been bringing back lots of hatchery coho up to 12 lbs, besides the occasional chinook out there. Anglers targeting the coho have usually have been getting limit catches of hatchery marked fish. Closer to shore, the number of big springs being caught picked up on the weekend. The best spot was the Trap shack where springs up to 42 lbs were caught. Most of the springs are being caught between 55 and 120 feet and weigh in the teens and twenties. The favored bait this past week was once again anchovy in a teaser head. The best teaser head colours were Bloody Nose, Army Truck, Green Glow and Purple Haze. The best flashers have been the Super Betsey and the Gold Fever. Hootchies and squirts were good in White, Glo Below and Purple Haze. Cop Car, Mongoose Coyotes or Green/Silver Coho Killer spoons have been good for both springs and coho.
Pedder Bay – Salmon fishing was EXCELLENT for cohos most of this past week. The action was best a couple of miles out on the tide lines and shipping lanes. The fishing for springs off Church Rock and Whirl Bay was BETTER than last week, with fish up to 28 lbs being caught. Most of the springs caught in Pedder Bay and by William Head were feeders. Anchovies are the most popular bait now. The best teaser heads for anchovies were the Glow Green, Purple Haze and the Bloody Nose. The best flashers have been the Silver Fever and Super Betsey. Hootchies and squirts were good in White, 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. The Coho Killer spoons have been deadly on coho when trolled quickly.
Halibut – Halibut fishing was GOOD on the weekend. Halibut up to 30 lbs were brought in this past weekend. Berkeley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, a Jig-a-Lu, Big Eye Jigs, Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.
James Swan ( age 10 ) with two salmon caught by him and his dad. The smaller 20 lb spring was his first salmon!Victoria Waterfront – Salmon fishing was GOOD out at Constance Bank and SLOW off the waterfront this past weekend. Out at the bank there were a few hatchery coho as well as springs into the high teens. Although there were lots of boats by the breakwater, most of them never caught a fish. It’s been averaging about one spring for every 5 to 8 boats. On Sunday’s creel survey, only 8 springs were counted, and 6 of them were from Constance Bank. There have been some large ones all along the waterfront though. Jim Dow caught 29 & 8 lb springs during the week. Lance Foreman picked up 25 1/2 and 21 lb springs along the waterfront. The best fishing was during the tide changes. Small anchovies are the most productive bait now and have been working best in UV Green, Clear/Green Scale and Bloody Nose teaser heads. Green/Silver coyotes and Coho Killer spoons are working well out on Constance Bank. Hootchies and squirts are good in Electric Chair, Cloverleaf and Glo Below. Good flashers have been the Ok’I Betsey and Green/Gold and Gold Fever Hot Spots.
Halibut – Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week for chickens. Constance Bank was the best spot. 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, a Jig-a-Lu, Big Eye Jigs, Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish, and there are lots of dogfish around now.
Oak Bay – Salmon fishing was GOOD on the Flats for most of last week, but it did slow down by the weekend. There were some nice fish into the low 20’s caught. The best fishing has been just east of Brodie Rock in 80 to 110 feet of water. The best bet is trolling right on bottom in 80 to 130 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 FAIR this past 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, a Jig-a-Lu, Big Eye Jigs, Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.
Sidney – Salmon fishing was SLOW near Sidney. The best fishing has come from Hambley Point for springs up to 12 lbs. Moresby Island, and Coal Island have both been very slow and we haven’t even heard of a salmon taken there. Anglers have not been using much bait as the dogfish are there in heavy numbers. 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 Lait caught a 30 lb spring off Otter Point on anchovy fished in a bloody nose teaser with a Betsy flasher. Jim Dow caught a 29 spring during the week by the breakwater. Lance Foreman picked up 25 1/2 and 21 lb springs along the waterfront this past week.
Please send photos and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.com
Freshwater
OVERVIEW – Trout fishing is SLOW on most lakes in the South Island area. The trout are moving closer to the bottom or thermocline where the temperature is cooler. If you fish the thermocline, you should have good action. Bass fishing is VERY GOOD on most lakes.
Cowichan River – The water level on the Cowichan River is fairly low and water temperatures are warming as the summer progresses. The best fishing is now in the early morning and evening. The best flies for resident rainbow trout are usually nymphs, especially bead headed Prince and Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear nymphs. If you want to target browns, fish with minnow imitating streamers, muddlers, zonkers or wooly buggers. Also there have been complaints of spin fishermen in the fly only section of river. Keep an eye out and report any possible poachers. Remember it is fly fishing only between the trestle at Greendale road and the 70.2 mile trestle. All wild trout must be released on all streams in region 1 as well.
Local Lakes – Trout fishing is SLOWER on most lakes in the South Island area. The water temperature is increasing and the fish are moving closer to the bottom where the temperature is cooler. Many anglers are catching trout on both Powerbait, Gulp! eggs, or worms, especially while fishing from shore. Fly anglers are doing well using Wooly Buggers, Leeches or Micro Leech patterns when fishing deep. That said, there has been a lot of surface activity lately and both Caddis and mayflies are hatching on most lakes. 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, Willow Leaf Lake trolls with a worm-tipped GIBBS Wedding Band will almost always catch some fish. The biggest trout continue to be caught at Elk Lake with Langford Lake being 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.
There are also lots of carp inBeaverLakeright now and anglers are having fun trying to catch them. Dough balls have been traditionally effective bait for carp.
Bass Fishing - Bass fishing is EXCELLENT. Top water lures are working well in the mornings and evenings. During the day, soft plastics rigged Carolina style work well and crank baits can work well tool. 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.
Notable Catches – Please send photos and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.com
FISH TIP OF THE WEEK
Check your lines, frequently! When trolling for salmon, you should never leave a line down more than 20 to 30 minutes without checking to see if your bait is still working properly. Quite often a fish will strike it without getting hooked and ruin the bait, or you will get some weed on the bait, or maybe even have a small fish on that you don’t even know about. Only by checking your line can you know if you’re still fishing.
Island Outfitters Leader Board – 2012
Halibut
1) 162.3 lbs – Des Hatchard – Port Renfrew – Herring - April 15th
2) 145.6 lbs – Ken Emms – OakBay– Herring - April 15th
3) 144.5.4 lbs – Trevor MacDougall – OakBay– Herring - May 12th
4) 142.6 lbs – Andrew Stawicki – HaroStrait– Octopus - May 13th
5) 133.5 lbs – Andrew Stawicki – Haro Strait – Octopus – June 11th
Salmon
1) 39.4 lbs – Curtis Petres – Trap Shack – Anchovy – July 2nd
2) 34.8 lbs – Jason Whittaker – Beechey Head – Anchovy – June 23rd
3) 30.0 lbs – Debbie Campbell – Beechey Head – Anchovy - June 27th
4) 28.6 lbs – Duane Bertrand – Trap Shack – Anchovy - June 20th
5) 28.5 lbs – Falon Lancey – Sherringham Point – Anchovy - May 25th
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 31st 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 and like us on facebook!