CartFishing Report Week Ending September 22nd, 2013
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www.fishingvictoria.com
3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC V8Z 3L2
Tel: (250) 475-4969 Fax: (250) 475- 6942
Email: info@fishingvictoria.com
Fishing Report for Week Ending September 22, 2013
SALTWATER
OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing is SLOWING DOWN in most areas. With the heavy down pours the salmon have moved into position to return to their home rivers and migrate. A few chinooks have been caught but the coho are here in good numbers still. Most of the coho are wild fish; with about a 5 to 1 ratio of wild to hatchery clipped fish. Halibut fishing has also been GOOD in all areas. 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!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 DFO regulations go to http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/xnet/content/fns/index.cfm?pg=search_results&lang=en&ID=recreational&Year=2013 PORT RENFREW – Salmon fishing has been SLOWER. There are lots of coho around and not many springs. More fish are moving into the bay and some are already up in the river. Halibut fishing is still GOOD. SOOKE – Salmon fishing remains GOOD in Sooke. Plenty of Coho but the ratio is approx. 5:1 on Wild to Hatchery. The preferred depth is 40’ to 75’. Fishing the 2nd to 3rd tide line seems to be the most productive. Our Cloverleaf Hoochie and Coho Killers seem to be working the best. Halibut – Halibut fishing continues to be GOOD using 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 FAIR for salmon. The odd pink salmons still around, but a lot more coho. The coho are mostly wild (unclipped) fish, but there are some hatchery ones too, especially out on the second and third tide lines. Spring fishing is slower getting lots of feeder springs & the odd Hali. The best fishing for springs was at the Trap Shack and then eastward to Aldridge Point. It’s also been picking up around the Bedford Islands. Anglers are hitting the fish between 50 to 90 feet on the downrigger. Most anglers are finding bait out producing artificial lures for springs, with anchovies being the most popular choice of bait. But bring lots of bait as the coho and pinks are biting steadily while you’re fishing for springs. The best teaser heads for anchovies were Green Glow, Chartreuse/Green Chrome and the Bloody Nose. PEDDER BAY – Salmon fishing was SLOWER this past week. Currents all under 2 knots all week for Juan De Fuca East. Lots of coho were caught as well as some pinks and a few of springs. The coho are mostly wild (unclipped) fish, but there are some good size hatchery ones being caught to make coho fishing worthwhile. Most of the pinks and coho are out in 300 to 500 feet of water and near the tide lines in the strait. It has been fair for springs in the 5 to 15 lb size range in Whirl Bay and near Church Rock. The springs are fairly shallow in the water column, around 50 to 80 feet deep. 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 – Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Subject: FN0919-RECREATIONAL - Fin Fish (Other than Salmon) - Halibut - 2013 Recreational Fishery Update - September 20, 2013
The DFO and Sport Fishing Advisory Board (SFAB) Halibut Committee meets monthly throughout the season to review estimated catches.
At the most recent meeting,it was determined that the recreational fishery harvest to August 31, 2013 is approx. 807,000 pounds of
the recreational fishery’s Total Allowable Catch of 1,080,450 pounds. This leaves a balance of approximately 273,000 pounds. As a result,
recreational fishing for halibut will continue through to December 31, 2013 under the current fishing regulations. The current size and numbers
of fish cannot be changed in-season as they are authorized for the entire year as Conditions of the 2013-2014 Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence.
DFO will review the 2013 fishery (catches and management measures) and will consult through the SFAB consultation process this fall/winter to consider
management options for 2014. Management measures will be announced in the early spring.Halibut fishing was GOOD in the Race Rocks area. The 27 and 17 fathom banks and the reef off of William Head all produced halibut on the weekend. 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 – Fishing has been EXCELLENT for feeder springs this past week near Victoria. On Constance Bank anglers were catching the most fish, coho and springs trolling close to bottom. Closer in by the harbour, it was slow for springs. Some coho salmon are being caught closer in to shore too, usually near the end of the ebb and the start of the flooding currents, especially off Brotchie Ledge and the Flag pole. The best depth close in has been around 60 to 80 feet. Most anglers fishing Constance Bank are using artificial lures, usually with Coho Killer (chrome or watermelon) or G-Force spoons. Good choices in plastic baits are the Electric Chair, Purple Haze and the Glo Blow. Gibbs Coho Killer, Kingfisher and Coyote spoons in all colours have been very effective. Good flashers have been the Purple Gold, Chart Glow & Purple Onion. Halibut – Halibut fishing was a SLOWER over this past week but the tides look better this upcoming week. 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. OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was SPOTTY this past week. There were springs to be caught, but not too many and mostly feeder size springs. The most popular method for catching springs is trolling near the bottom in 75 to 130 feet of water with squirts or spoons, Baitrix tiny strip, or small anchovy. Even Anglers jigging have reported slower action. The fish that were being caught were on Coho Killer spoons in Glow/Green, 3” to 4” G-Force & Gypsy spoons. Good squirts were the Electric Chair, Pickle Green, J-79 and Jellyfish. Halibut – Halibut fishing was a SLOWER over this past week but the tides look better this upcoming week. 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 continues to be GOOD off the Pender Bluffs. There were lots of coho there, mostly wild, and a few springs. The springs were as large as 15 lbs. There are smaller springs being caught by the red can in the Sidney Channel and near James Island. 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. Crabbing has been excellent. NOTABLE CATCHES – Hunter Grant, visiting from Ontario, caught a 50lb halibut off Constance Bank. Please send photos (in jpeg format) and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.com
FRESHWATER
OVERVIEW – Trout fishing is FAIR TO GOOD on most lakes in the South Island area. Bass fishing is EXCELLENT as well. Carp fishing is EXCELLENT. Anglers are 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 SLOW in the fly only section at the top end of the river. The water level is still low. There are a few 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 FAIR on most lakes in the South Island area. Bank anglers are catching trout on Powerbait, Gulp Eggs, or worms while fishing from shore. Chartreuse and Sunrise have been good colours 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 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, Black with Silver Flake or Rainbow Pattern. 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″ piece 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. Wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake. BASS - Bass fishing is EXCELLENT. Crank baits have been effective when fished around 12 feet down with a fast retrieve. Soft plastics rigged “Carolina Style “is also a good choice when fishing drop offs and docks, most productive in 4” Yum bait colors Smoke or Pumpkinseed. 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 – Please send photos (in jpeg format) and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.comIsland Outfitters Leader Boards 2013
Salmon
1) 34.0 lbs – Duncan Watts – Sheringham Pt – Anchovy - July 6th 2) 32.4 lbs – Jason Owens –Otter Point – Anchovy - August 23rd 3) 32.1 lbs – Rob Smith –Breakwater – Anchovy - August 27th 4) 32.0 lbs – Denis Ekstrom –Breakwater – Anchovy - August 7th 5) 31.6 lbs – Daryl Quenet – Anchovy - August 2nd
Halibut
1) 113.2 lbs - Randy Lowe – Race Rocks – Hootchy/Herring -March 23 rd 2) 97.6 lbs – Ryan Prolyshyn – Constance Bank - March 22nd 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 21stTrout
1) 7.1 lbs – Konrad Herrmann – Langford Lake – Leech fly - May 5th 2) 4 lbs15 oz -Duncan Watts – Langford Lake- Green Powerbait Eggs – May 27th 3) 3.5 lbs – Blair Cox – Elk Lake – March 23 rd
Carp
1) Dan Morris – 27carp weighed in, total 164 lbs 13 oz 2) William Oliver – 39 carp weighed in, total 160 lbs 9 oz 3) Jodey Hillard - 7 carp weighed in, total 32 lbs 5 oz. 4) Paul Carreia- 3 carp weighed in, total 29.14 lbs. 5) Jayson Chavez – 3 carp weighed in, 25 lbs 10 oz
2013 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. Everybody who enters a fish gets a prize! To enter, just bring in your catch to be weighed at our store. We also have a CARP CULLING CONTEST. It’s time to get the carp numbers down in our local lakes. The Top 5 Carp anglers with the top combined total weights weighed in to our store will win a prize! The contest will go until June 1, 2014. See our event pages for upcoming events and like us on facebook!