Lingcod and Rockfish have opened up in Georgia Strait!
Hopefully the winds stay down and everybody can get out. If it's too windy to jig in the deep water consider trolling for Lingcod. I'll have an in-depth article in the June Island Fisherman Magazine explaining how to do this. My favourite ling trolling lures are Rapala X-Rap Otus in Hot Pike pattern and the new 3D Wake Snake. The old commercial guys used to just use a mini-flasher like an Oki Lil' Shooter with a hook on the end, so that probably still works too. But I see they all use the Z-Man swimbaits now.
The best locations for Lings are always around Entrance Island Reef, Thrasher Rock and Gabriola Bluffs. Or anywhere else with rocky reefs.
I've heard some decent Chinook reports down around Tent Island and Sampson Narrows. The top lures have been Bon Chovy Skinny G's and Cookies and Cream spoons. Behind either a Bon Chovy Flasher, or a Chartreuse Watermark one.
The Coho are still all around Five Fingers and Entrance Island at about 100ft. Troll a bit faster for these guys. 3-4 knots is not unreasonable. A good lure combo for them is a Blue Spatter Coho Killer with a Coho Special flasher.
And a reminder May 10th is our biggest sale of the year. Sign up on our website if you want the flyer emailed to you. Or email me at the address below if you have questions or want to order anything.
2 comments
As good as Nanaimo has been, French Creek is producing some amazing fish this year in big numbers. I have been extremely successful ( 32 coho in 3 hours ) using a purple haze flasher and gold nugget herring aid. Also picking up large springs with Big E spoons. It’s definitely an odd year, as the fish seem to be more sporadic than usual.
Thanks for the reports and tips! Much appreciated. Will definitely be coming in to your awesome store to buy the lures you recommend. Cheers!