CartFishing Report for Week Ending June 17th
SALTWATER
OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing is GOOD for springs (Chinooks) in most areas. More and more over the slot size wild springs are being caught now, especially near Sooke. All of which have to be released. Halibut fishing has also been GOOD out of Oak Bay and Port Renfrew.
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FISHERY RESTRICTIONS
Effective April 1, 2013 until further notice: The maximum length for halibut is 126 cm. The daily limit for halibut is one (1). The possession limit for halibut is two (2), only one of which may be greater than 83cm in length. There will be an annual limit of six (6) halibut per license. All halibut retained by the license holder shall be immediately recorded in ink on the Tidal Waters Sport Fishing license. The area from which each halibut is caught and its length shall immediately be recorded on license.
For the latest updates in salmon regulations in the Victoria area go to http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/tidal-maree/a-s19-eng.html
PORT RENFREW – Salmon fishing has PICKED UP for springs offshore on Swiftsure Bank. Saturday and Sunday produced limits for the boats that did the run out to the bank. Springs were caught on cuttlefish, hoochies, and turds fished behind purple onion, green onion, and glow flashers. Halibut fishing in the area remains strong. Herring, salmon bellies, and mackerel have been the best baits. Port Renfrew Salmon Invitational Results are as follows: 1st place fish 29.8lb's caught by Caleb, 2nd place, 26.7lbs caught by Doug Marin of the Q, fishing with Island Outfitters, and third place 26.6lbs caught by Trevor Zboyovsky.
SOOKE – Salmon fishing was GOOD in the area. Hatchery marked springs, weighing up to 25 lbs, were caught this past weekend. Some fish in the high 20's, early 30's were caught in the Sherringham Point area. The best action seems to be from Secretary Island westward to Sherringham Point in about 120 feet of water with the baits down from 50 ft to 75ft. It wouldn’t hurt to try some of the deeper areas if you’re not getting them in the shallower water. Anchovies and small herring are catching the most springs and Green glow, Bloody Nose , Joanne's Mist and Purple Haze teaser heads are popular when fishing bait for springs. Flashers to use include gold or silver Betsy's, Purple Onion, Sooke Specials, and the new Green Onion.
A couple nice springs caught in the Sooke area on spoons.
Halibut – Halibut fishing was SLOW over the weekend out past Muir Creek and towards near Point No Point and Jordan River. A few halibut up to 50 lbs were caught. Extra Large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off a spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.
BEECHER BAY–Fishing was VERY GOOD for springs. The best fishing was around the Trap Shack, Beechey Head/Aldridge point area. Anglers are hitting the fish between 50 to 95 feet on the downrigger. Most of the fish are less than 15 lbs, but larger wild salmon up to 40 lbs have been caught and released. There were some nice wild fish in the 30's and an angler released a nice 40 plus pound spring in the Island Farms Derby. Many anglers are finding bait out producing artificial lures now, with anchovies being the most popular choice of bait. The best teaser heads for anchovies were Green Glow, Purple Haze, Chartreuse/Green Chrome and the Bloody Nose.
PEDDER BAY – Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week. The best areas were near William Head and the Can Buoy at the mouth of the bay and Church Rock. Most hatchery marked springs caught went from 6 to 15 lbs in size. The fish were higher up in the water column, around 50 to 70 feet. Anchovies were the most productive bait with Green Glow, Bloody Nose and Purple Haze teaser heads effective. Squirts will work too with UV colors like the Jellyfish, Purple Haze and Electric Chair the best patterns. The best flashers have been the Purple Glow and Purple Haze. 4” Coyote type spoons have been effective at times, with Green/Silver and Green/White Glow good patterns.
Halibut – Halibut fishing was SLOW in the Race Rocks area. Only a few halibut were caught and they were all on the small size. Extra Large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off a spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.
VICTORIA – Salmon fishing was VERY GOOD this past week along the waterfront. Our guide boats were getting into some nice springs to about 20 lbs out on Constance Bank. Oak Bay is still producing too. Most anglers fishing are using artificial lures and trolling close to bottom. Good choices in plastic baits are the Electric Chair, Purple Haze and the Glo Below. Gibbs Coho Killer, Kingfisher and Coyote spoons in all colours have been very effective. Good flashers have been the Green/Glow and Green/Silver Hot Spots
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Halibut – Halibut fishing was BETTER over the weekend at Constance Bank, strong winds over much of last week made it difficult. Extra Large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.
Caught Sunday Kingsley Grant, Todd Bonnar and Morgan William hold up a “Chicken” caught on Constance bank where the wind made it a challenging day to get two keepers and a full days worth of Dogfish. Salmon Bellies and Herring were the baits of choice.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was EXCELLENT on the Oak Bay Flats. Anglers are catching fin clipped springs up to 18 lbs, but some large wild fish up to 25 lbs have been released there too. The best bet for springs is trolling near the bottom in 70 to 130 feet of water with squirts, Baitrix tiny strip, small anchovy or Coho Killer spoons. Good squirts were the Electric Chair, Pickle Green, J-79 and Jellyfish. With spoons, 3½” or 4” Gypsy, Titans, and Coyotes in Cop Car or White/Green colours and the Gold Star Coho Killers. Glow in the dark and UV flashers seem to be the norm for producing fish.
Halibut – We had some GOOD reports from some boats that went out halibut fishing this past week. Mackerel, Extra Large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off a spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.
SIDNEY- Salmon fishing was FAIR in the Sidney area. The best locations have been Moresby Island and Coal Island. There’s a mix of mostly smaller salmon with a few big ones thrown in. Many anglers have been fishing for springs using anchovies in Bloody Nose, Purple Haze and UV Green teaser heads. Squirts have been out producing hootchies recently and the hot patterns for springs now are Purple Haze, Glow Below and Electric Chair. Coho Killer spoons have also been working well, especially in double glow and 50/50 colors.
NOTABLE CATCHES - Limits of hatchery springs have been coming in from Oak Bay and Constance Bank.
Please send photos and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.com
FRESHWATER
We now have a TROUT category as one of our annual leader board contests. To enter, just bring in your catch to be weighed at our store. There will be special prizes for the top 5 trout weighed in this year. On another exciting note, we also have just started a Carp Culling Contest. Time to get the carp numbers down in our local lakes. Top 5 Carp Combined annual weight entrants weighed in to our store will win a prize! Contest will go until June 01, 2014.
OVERVIEW – Trout fishing is GOOD on most lakes in the South Island area. Bass fishing is PICKING UP. Carp fishing is EXCELLENT. As of June 15th Bass are now open for retention. Anglers are further reminded of the following:" The use of single barbless hooks is mandatory in all streams in Region 1;" All foul hooked (i.e.: hooked other than in the mouth) must be returned to the river immediately. ALL wild trout must be released on all streams in region 1 as well.
COWICHAN RIVER – The trout fishing is DECENT in the fly only section at the top end of the river. There are rainbows and cutthroat trout, as well as resident brown trout that are active right now. Bead head nymphs are the top producer. Patterns working recently include the Golden Stonefly, Pheasant Tail nymphs, Prince Nymphs, Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ears, Elk Hair caddis' and Stimulators. With all the salmon fry in the river fly anglers should try streamers, such as muddlers and fry patterns swinging through pools on full sink or long sink tip fly lines, especially for the Brown's and Cutthroat.
TROUT – Trout fishing is GOOD on most lakes in the South Island area. Bank anglers are catching trout on both Powerbait, Gulp Eggs, or worms while fishing from shore. Chartreuse and Orange have been good colours recently for Powerbait. Fly anglers are trolling Pumpkinheads, Wooly Buggers, Leeches and Micro Leech patterns on full sink fly lines. Trollers have been doing good with a variety of lures. 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, the jointed Rapalas have also been great for larger fish. Larger Willow Leaf Lake trolls with a size 6 hook tipped with a small 1-2" peice of worm always produce fish. If fishing with a down rigger for trout, try finding the thermocline, this is usually between 15 and 25 feet this time of year in the local lakes. The biggest trout have come from Langford Lake and Elk Lake. All wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake.
BASS - Bass fishing is PICKING UP now that the spawning season is finished. Crank baits have been effective when fished around 12 feet down with a fast retrieve. Soft plastics are also a good choice when fishing drop offs and docks. Look for the fish suspended by drop offs close to shore along docks, branches, and any overhanging structure. 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.
Carp- The simplest bait to prepare when time is an issue can be bought at your local grocery store. A few pieces of toast or bread rolls can sometimes be your best ticket to carp numbers. Bread balls are deadly. The preparation is simple and clean. Roll a small piece of bread into a ball, wet it with your saliva and onto the hook it goes. Use bread balls for surface feeders, as your bait has a tendency to float. A can of corn can provide a season of fun carping. They may seem to be unscented, but carp often find them irresistible. Thread several onto the hook so it is completely covered. If you want to make your own "Boilies", a cup of flour mixed with a cup of corn meal should be the basic ingredients of your. Whatever you add on top of this will depend on you, or the fish. Since scent is strong factor, the addition of a strong, yet new smell to your bait can often produce surprising result. Scents that are commonly used include strawberry, vanilla, peanut butter, corn, yam, and curry. Just like other fisheries, use what you have confidence in and be sure to switch if one becomes unproductive. The magical bait does not exist, experimentation is the recipe to success.
Notable Catches – CARP are coming in! We've had 5 carp weighed in so far by one angler. 26 lbs total weight. Plus one other caught by Dan Morris. Please send photos and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.com
FISHING TIP OF THE WEEK
Through the summer is the best time to get out and target Carp in the shallows of Elk/Beaver Lake. These fish can be tough to catch. Dough balls mixed with worms can be good bait for these fish. Remember that these fish generally eat off the bottom of the Lake. If you have access to a boat cruise the shallows looking for big schools of these fish, and anchor ahead of them. 8 lb fluorocarbon should be used to target these fairly large fish. Carp have soft mouths so they have to be played lightly. These fish should not be released, come enter them in our Carp Culling contest for your chance to win a prize!
Island Outfitters Leader Boards 2013
Salmon
1) 19.1 lbs – Christien MacDonell – Albert Head – Hootchy - January 19th
Halibut
1) 113.2 lbs - Randy Lowe – Race Rocks – Hootchy/Herring -March 23 rd
2) 97.6 lbs – Ryan Prolyshyn – Constance Bank - March 22 nd
3) 75.8 lbs – Patrick Cunliffe – Race Rocks – March 17th
4) 58.4 lbs - Jesse McCullough – Constance – Octopus – March 24th
5) 57.5 lbs – Justin Wilson – Race Rocks – Grub & Octopus – April 21st
Trout
1) 7.1 lbs - Konrad Herrmann - Langford Lake - Leech fly - May 5th
2) 4 lbs, 15 oz -Duncan Watts - Langford Lake- Green Power Bait Eggs - May 27th
3) 3.5 lbs - Blair Cox - Elk Lake - March 23 rd
Carp
1) William Oliver - 17 carp weighed in, equalling 71.22 lbs.
2) Dan Morris - 2 carp weighed in- 20.9 lbs.
2013 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 upcoming events in 2013!
See our event pages for upcoming events and like us on facebook!