CartFishing Report for Week Ending October 11, 2015
SALTWATER
OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing was SLOW to FAIR most of this past week. The coho are the most targeted salmon in the local waters and a good mix of unmarked and marked fish are being caught. However most fish are still in that 3-6 lb range with a few coho up to 14 lbs being caught Halibut fishing was FAIR for those targeting this species.
Please note that there are salmon and other fishery closures in effect in numerous areas of BC’s tidal waters. For the latest details on openings and closures in your area: A) Call 1-866-431-FISH or 604-666-2828 (24-hour phone line); or B) Visit our web page http://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm to find applicable fishery notices; orC) Follow our sport fishing Twitter account https://twitter.com/sportfishingbc Visit our facebook page to see reports, news and videos by our guides and staff from their most recent trips.
SOOKE – The salmon fishing was FAIR this past week. There has been the odd exception of springs into the mid 20’s, but its mostly coho are being caught, usually out in the shipping lanes and in 300+ feet of water. The second and third tide lines have been producing most of the fish. A few Chums have been caught. 3.5-4” G-Force spoons as well as hoochies are the top choices for Sooke anglers. G-Force spoons in Outfitters, Irish Cream and No Bananas and Hoochies in White Glow, Army Truck and Tiger Prawn are the go to colours that have been catching their fair number of fish. The most popular flashers recently have been the Ok’i Betsey, the Gibbs Outfitter and the Madi.
BECHER BAY– Salmon fishing was PRETTY SLOW in East Sooke. The best fishing has been way out in the strait and between 40 – 90 feet on the downrigger. There were very few, if any, springs caught. More hatchery coho are showing up in the mix. G-force spoons were the most productive lure. However, plastic baits have been popular as well. The Glow/Green Stripe hootchy has been effective for springs this past week. Spoons, such as the G-Force and Skinny G, in the Bon Chovy or Irish Cream colours were effective. For flashers, the Lemon Lime, Super Betsey and the Purple Onion have been good.
PEDDER BAY –Salmon fishing was FAIR this past week. Most anglers are targeting Coho out in the tide lines off Race Rocks. The coho have mostly been ranging from 3-6 lbs, with a mixture of marked and unmarked fish being caught. That said, one angler brought in 14 & 10 lb coho from Race Passage. The 3rd tide line was the most productive this past wee and most coho have been caught between 70 to 90 feet on the downrigger. Some chum salmon into the mid teens have also been caught and they are a little deeper in the water column. The chums like a slow troll and have ben caught, surprisingly, on bait and Coho Killer spoons. Anchovy was the most productive bait when trolling for springs with Glow Green and Bloody Nose being top choices in teaser heads Spoons, such as the G-Force and Skinny G, in the Bon Chovy or Irish Cream colours were effective Flashers that remain popular include Super Betsey, Lemon-Lime and Purple Onion.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week with reports of Halibut up to 57 lbs being brought in. Anglers that were fishing were using mackerel, extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. 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 – Fishing for salmon was SPOTTY along the waterfront. Most anglers have switched there target fish to Coho and Chum. Anglers were finding success in 300 ft of water off Albert Head as well as off the eastern edge of Constance Bank. The coho are starting to show up in better numbers but still seem scattered along the Victoria Area. Anchovies, spoons and squirts were successful in getting hook ups. Chartreuse and Purple Haze have been the most popular colors for teaser heads. Good choices in plastic baits are the Electric Chair, Purple Haze and Glow white. Gibbs Coho Killers, AP Needlefish and Coyote spoons in green, moon glow and silver colours have been very effective. The Lemon Lime and Bon Chovy flasher has been very effective recently. The Glow Green Splatter Back Coho Killer has been a very effective out at the Constance Bank.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week. Dogfish this week seem to be more of a problem. Most anglers that were fishing were using mackerel, extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. 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.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was SLOW this past week. Most salmon were caught when fishing with lures right on the bottom (60-110 ft) on the Flats and by the Gap. The fish were hitting needlefish spoon and squirts. Anglers also caught fish jigging right on the bottom. G-force and Skinny G spoons in No Bananas and Outfitter colours worked just fine. Coho Killers in Gold Nugget and Green Splatterback have been pretty productive too. The best flasher has been the Gibbs Lemon Lime and the Bon Chovy.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was FAIR this past weekend out in Haro Strait and off Discovery Island. 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 SLOW near Sidney. The Pender Bluffs have really slowed down. There are a lot of feeder springs in the Sidney Channel, but they are almost all 1” to 4” short of the minimum size for retention. Coho fishing has been slow except close to shore by the wharf at James Island. Many anglers are fishing using anchovies in Bloody Nose and UV Green teaser heads. Coho Killer spoons have also been working well, especially in double glow and Gold Nugget. A couple of halibut have been taken as incidental catches this past week.
Notable Catches – Please send photos (in jpeg format) and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.com
FRESHWATER
OVERVIEW – Fishing is GOOD on most lakes. Wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake.
TROUT – Trout fishing was GOOD on most lakes in the South Island area this past week. The Vancouver Island Fish hatchery has started the fall stocking program of catchable rainbow trout. On September 30th, Langford Lake received 750 trout averaging 644 grams ion size. On October 1st, Elk Lake received 2,000 trout and Prospect Lake received 2,175 catchable rainbow trout averaging 211 grams in size. On October 2nd Shawnigan Lake received 1,375 trout, Dougan Lake 750, Fuller Lake 1,225 and Chemainus Lake 750 trout averaging 216 grams in size.
Bank anglers are catching trout on Powerbait, Gulp Eggs, or worms while fishing from shore and right on the bottom. Orange Garlic and Pink Garlic have been good choices recently for Powerbait. Fly anglers are fishing Pumpkinheads, Wooly Buggers, Leeches and Micro Leech patterns on full sink fly lines. Trollers have been doing well with Gibbs Gang Trolls and Gibbs Wedding Bands. Other good trolling lures are the Apex Trout Killers in rainbow, green or black and white patterns. Flatfish and/or Kwikfish have also been effective in sizes 5 to 7 in Frog, Black with Silver Flake or Rainbow Pattern.
BASS - Bass fishing is FAIR. Soft plastics rigged Carolina style are working well and crank baits too. Soft plastics rigged “Carolina Style “is also a good choice when fishing drop offs and docks. The most productive colors in 4” Yum baits are Smoke or Pumpkinseed. 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 (in jpeg format) and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.com
FISH TIP OF THE WEEK
Cover water! Most of the time when you hit one Coho, you hit another Coho, and then another. This is because Coho usually travel in schools in search of baitfish. In order to locate some Coho, it is important to continue covering different water and depths until you have found a school. Try spreading your lines all at different depths and try not to get stuck sitting in one spot against the tide.
Island Outfitters Leader Board 2015
Salmon
1) 39.4 lbs – Justin Wilson – Church Rock – Anchovy - July 5th
2) 38.2 lbs – Jordan Game – Sooke – Anchovy – July 18th
3) 36.1 lbs – Bruce Cook – Breakwater – Anchovy - September 17th
4) 34.8 lbs – Jim Dow – Victoria Harbour – Anchovy – September 15th
5) 34.4 lbs – Peter Tang – Trap shack – Anchovy - September 4th
Halibut
1) 70.4 lbs – Mike Koff – Oak Bay - Octopus – April 26th
2) 69.1 lbs – Mike Paltinger – Haro Strait – Herring - April 25th
3) 67.3 lbs – Rick Lelonde – Oak Bay – April 25th
4) 67.0 lbs – Jason Fraser – Oak Bay – September
5) 65.9 lbs – Marty Pinchin – Mud Hole – March 30th
Trout
1) 4 lbs 7 oz – Bryan Barter – Fuller Lake – March 8th
2) 4 lbs 5 oz– Chris Findlow – Elk Lake – August 7th
3) 4 lbs 3 oz– Paul Tilley – Langford Lake – January 17th
4) 4 lbs 2 oz– Doug Burnit – Dougan Lake – May 9th
5) 3 lbs 13 oz – Mike Reid – Elk Lake – March 8th
2015 DERBIES and EVENTS
Island Outfitters starts and ends the year with the free for fun and prizes Salmon, Trout and Halibut Leader Boards. Simply weigh your catch in at Island Outfitters and the top five fish in each category on December 31st wins a special prize.
See our event pages for details on upcoming events and like us on facebook!