We have had a solid week for saltwater fishermen. The winter Chinook fishing has been good from Campbell River all the way down to Saanich Inlet. The stand out locations have been French Creek and Portlier Pass. It's still deep fishing for the most part. I've been hearing 200-240ft for better sized fish. There are fish at 140ft and up area but there are a lot more small fish at that depth. Plugs like 5" Tomic Sparkle Herring and large spoons like 5" Big Eye Derby Winner will weed out some of the smaller salmon. The top flashers for the last week have been Chartreus Homeland Security and Chartreuse Watermark. Chartreus always is a top colour for the winter, and through into the spring alga bloom.
For Nanaimo Five Fingers has fish, but Entrance Island is a bit better for size right now. The winter Chinook are getting bigger every day, and they are in great shape right now. See the photo above. It's actually one of the smaller ones, but the colours are great.
Interestingly I've talked to lot's of fishermen heading out for squid. Both the small opal squid and the big red ones that live in deep water. There are lot's of opals off Ladysmith and down to Saanich. These squid are often at 20-30 ft and are very accessible. They look like wavy lines on your fish finder. And we have all the squid jigs if you want to catch them. Some fishermen want them for bait, but I like to eat them. So if you want a different type of seafood give squid jigging a try.
Tips up!
steve@harbourchandler.ca
2 comments
Hi Carol, Right now it’s just just out of a boat. Look for bait balls that appear as wavey lines on the fish finder. Less dense than herring. I’ve only ever seen them caught from a dock in the summer at night. Normally on docks with lights.
Where about are the opal squid in ladysmith harbour? Or can u catch from docks? Been out in boat and can not find them.