Lingcod fishing is still going strong in all locations. I've had good reports from all throughout the east side of Vancouver Island. The new trolling lures are really catching on with the top ones of the week being Savage Gear 3D Burbots in Walleye Pattern, and Wake Snake.
However the classic herring on a spreader bar, or with a ball weight is still very effective. And sometimes real bait will outdo everything else. And we do sell frozen Rhys Davis Herring in all sizes. It is not on the website because we can't ship it for obvious reasons. The other jigging lures I've seen working are the Gibbs Puffin Swimbait and the Mustad Inkvader. The Inkvader is the most realistic octopus lure I've ever seen. It can even squirt ink! Lingcod love eating octopus, and the inkvader is irresistible to them.
In other news the Coho opening has been announced! Most locations will see it open for two marked fish on June 1st! So check your local regulations and get you Coho gear ready. My favorite coho trolling lure is the Silver Horde Maverick spoon. This spoon was designed by Chandler staff to target Coho and Chinook. And we now have a matching custom chrome Maverick flasher that has just arrived! It looks awesome. It will be on the website soon. Email me if you want one. I will be running it as soon as I can get on the water.
For local Chinook fishing the sub areas south of Nanaimo have really picked up. In the open areas it's marked fish only but guys are getting them. Average size is not huge, mostly in the 80cm range. Small bait in the area means use small spoons and needlefish hoochies. Gibbs Shimmer Serries Low Rider has been one of the top lures. Pair this with our custom Crush Series Blue Squiggle flasher for a killer combination.
Thanks to Jeff Armstrong for his fishing intel and the photo of his big lingcod.
