Fishing Report for the Week Ending September 25, 2016

SALTWATER


OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing was GOOD much of this past week. Coho are in abundance with a few springs still being caught. In some areas, small feeder (winter) springs are showing up. The daily limit for coho is 2 per day, hatchery-marked only in Areas 14 to 20. Halibut fishing was FAIR this past weekend.

For the latest details on recreational fishery openings and closures in your area:

  1. A) Call 1-866-431-FISH or 604-666-2828 (24-hour phone line);

  2. B) Visit our web page http://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm to find applicable fishery notices; or

  3. C) 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 VERY GOOD for coho . Secretary Island was the hotspot this weekend. The coho fishing has been very good and many of them are big. The hatchery fish were running from 8–15 lbs and some of the wild, unmarked coho were even heavier. The unclipped fish once again greatly outnumbered the clipped fish like last week. The best coho fishing has been out on the tide lines with spoons and plastics the most popular lure choices. Anchovies are still a good choice for bait and good choices for teaser head colors are UV Green, Chartreuse, Bloody Nose and Purple Haze.The top spoons for Sooke anglers have lots of green and glow/white has been working well. You can not go wrong with the flasher-spoon combo "No Banana's" and "Purple Haze".

BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week. Some springs are still coming in. The Trap Shack, Beechey Head and Aldridge Point were producing coho and the lure of choice seemed to be Green Coho Killers. 7-18 lb hatchery fish. Those who targeted coho did quite well with Green Glow hootchies also. Anglers using bait are finding anchovies in glow teaser heads have been working best. Other good options for spoons are the G-Force and Skinny G, in Bon Chovy or Outfitters’ colours. For flashers, the Betsey, Homeland Security and Twisted Sister have been good.

PEDDER BAY –Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week. Winter Springs have started to show up in the 8lb. range; it seems Green and White Coho Killers are the most effective. The coho fishing is still out at the shipping lanes where there are a lot more hatchery springs than in close. Most of the hatchery coho have been from 8 to 14 lbs and even larger unclipped fish have been caught and released. The bite periods have been early in the morning, on the tide changes and late in the evening. Anchovies were the top bait this past week. Good choices for teaser head colors are UV Green, Chartreuse, Bloody Nose and Purple Haze. Flashers that are popular include the Betsey, Lemon-Lime and Madi.

HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week. The area of choice for most anglers was once again, Constance Bank. The most popular bait choices were Extra Large Herring and Octopus. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait grubs also work very well. The Jumbo Squid and Mudrakers, with Butt Juice, is a excellent way to keep the dog fish off your lines.

VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon has SLOWED DOWN this past week. There are some feeders, coho and the odd chinook. Bite times were similar to last week (good bites at times and other long periods were there was nothing happening). The best depths have been 40 to 75 feet on the downrigger. Good areas have been Macauley Point, the V21 buoy (green can), the breakwall, Brotchie Ledge and Clover Point. Anchovies have been a good bait to use (12 or 10 pack) and Bloody Nose, UV Green and Purple Haze have been the most popular colors for teaser heads. Spoons have been successful in getting hook ups as well. Green Spatter Back UV Coho Killers, 3.5” Cop Car spoons have also brought good results in Victoria.

HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week with the best areas being Constance Bank, Border Bank and the Mud Hole. Anglers that were fishing were using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Also working well, and discouraging to dogfish, was the 9” Jumbo Squid in Green Glow.

OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was FAIR  this past week. Most of the salmon anglers who fish Oak Bay continue to fish Sooke or the waterfront. Good trolling lures have been Coho Killers, Bon Chovi or Outfitters Skinny G spoons . Anglers jigging have been using Needlefish Darts, Point Wilson Darts or Deep Stingers.

HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week. However, most anglers that were fishing for halibut were using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Also working well was the 9” Jumbo Squid in Green Glow. Also working well, and discouraging to dogfish, was the 9” Jumbo Squid in Green Glow.

SIDNEY- Salmon fishing was QUIET last week. The Pender Bluffs produced few coho. The coho were suspended at 80-90 feet. Again there were small, undersized springs off Hambley in 130-140 feet of water. The few springs that were caught was on anchovies and the Bloody Nose teaser heads. Anglers using spoons found Gibbs Skinny G's, Coho Killers and Gibbs Needle G spoons the most successful this past year. Anglers jigging have also been caught springs using Needlefish Darts and Deep Stingers. The Powder Wharf and Shag Rocks area are popular for jigging salmon.

Effective July 25, 2016 at 00:01 hours until October 14, 2016 at 23:59 hours, you may not retain Chinook salmon in the following waters: Subareas 18-6 to 18-8, 18-10.

 

Please send photos (in jpeg format) and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.com  

FRESHWATER


OVERVIEW – Fishing is GOOD in most lakes for both trout and bass. All streams within Management Units 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, and 1-6 are opened once again for fishing. Reminder Alert :Effective to 23:59 hours Friday September 30th 2016 the Nitinat River will open to recreational angling for chinook and coho.  The daily limit will be 4 salmon per day of which: • Two (2) may be chinook, of which only one (1) may be greater than 77 cm. in length, and• Two (2) may be coho, marked or unmarked.

TROUT – Trout fishing is GOOD on most lakes in the South Island area. With the change of temperature trout fishing should remain good and get better. Shore anglers are catching trout on Powerbait, Gulp Eggs, or worms while fishing close to the bottom. Chartreuse and Fluorescent Yellow have been good choices recently for Powerbait. Fly anglers continue to use Pumpkinheads, Wooly Buggers, Leeches and Micro Leech patterns on full sink fly lines. Trollers are catching trout with Gibbs Gang Trolls, Gibbs Wedding Bands and Apex Trout Killers.

BASS - Bass fishing is EXCELLENT. With fall upon us the Berkley Suspending Jerk Baits should be turning on soon. Spinner Baits, such as the new "Bomber" spin bait would be a good choice also.  During the day, soft plastics rigged Carolina style work well and crank baits can work well too. Soft plastics rigged “Carolina Style” are also a good choice when fishing drop offs and docks. The most productive colors in 4” Yum baits continue to be the 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 


Fall is here! And so is the temperature change!! To enjoy your fishing trips be sure to dress in layers to ensure your trip will be enjoyable and comfortable. Right now we have Pollen Sweaters on sale for $189.99 (regular $219.99) and Pollen Toques for $39.99


2016 Island Outfitters Leader Board

Halibut

1) 76.4 lbs – Jordyn Dornblut – Race Rocks – August 13th

2) 75.8 lbs – Walker Grant – Waterfront – Herring - March 27th

3) 73.9 lbs – Jeff Brohman - Sooke Bluffs – April 30th

4) 71.3 lbs – Marty Antcil – William Head – April 30th

5) 68.9 lbs – Kevin Hicks – Trial Island – April 30th

Trout

1) 5 lbs – Simon Arney – Langford Lake – Powerbait - July 24th

2) 3 lbs 14 oz – Kody Stofer – Elk Lake – Salmon Eggs - January 26th

3) 3 lbs 9 oz – Ron Flower – Quamichan Lake – Wedding Band- April 23rd

4) 2 lbs 11 oz – Matt Beeby – Duncan – Black Leech – April 30th

5) 2 lbs 4 oz – Ryan Rock – Duncan – Black Leech – April 30th 

Salmon

1) 42.2 lbs – Kevin McKenna – Anchovy – Port Renfrew- August 22nd

2) 40.2 lbs – Kayden Tyler – Anchovy – Victoria – August 3rd

3) 38.5 lbs – Dalton Laubru – Anchovy – Sooke – July 29th

4) 36.2 lbs – Ban Tran – Anchovy – Victoria – August 1st

5) 34.5 lbs – Thomas Brandwood – Anchovy - Victoria - September 5th

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.

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