Comox Fishing Report

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Comox Fishing Report

Comox Fishing Regulations Area 14 

September – October 2024 Comox Fishing Report

Fall fishing has been unreal! Chinook have started going up their rivers in big numbers. Puntledge River fish will be inside the harbour—fun to catch trolling shallow near the Red Bell with 40′ to 80′ on the ’rigger. The straits have been holding massive numbers of coho. In September the regs usually change locally so you can retain one wild and one hatchery.

I usually switch to pink gear, and a local favourite is the “Qualicum Special” (a Purple Haze cuttlefish with a MP2 squirt stuffed inside). Most other pink gear works well. The springs aren’t actively feeding, so this creates an instinctive bite, as they probably started off their ocean life eating krill. Strengthen your leaders to at least 40-lb test as there’s big springs being caught every day. Let’s look after the broodstock, so stop your boat, take your time reviving them before release, and get their heads pointed into the current. Chinook retention slot size is usually lifted September 1, and retention usually changes to two each a day (check regulations). There are still loads of coho out there.

We don’t net them; we grab the flasher alongside the boat to check if they’re wild and haul them in if they’re hatchery. There’s plenty, so don’t worry about losing the odd one. We’ve been getting them on green 3″ spoons or green cuttlefish hoochies— anything blue or green works, and the Gator Back is my favourite. Faster speeds work best; try the Skinny G on a 4′ leader!

We get cod trolling swim baits or while trolling for salmon. Find the pinnacles and reefs and look for bait. Rockfish and lings are in good numbers. You will get the odd halibut trolling bottom, so be ready. There’s plenty of Pacific Cod out there (especially at Kitty Coleman)—a tasty dinner.

Check the regs for Puntledge River—gear fishing will start near Condensory Bridge. Crabbing has been steady off Goose Spit at different depths 40′ to 100′. Find a flat gravel bottom and drop the traps.

Come home with some great eats, tight lines!

Cliff Moors
[email protected]
Cliffs Chinook Charters, Comox BC 250-650-0684
cccharters.ca

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August 2024 Comox Fishing Report

Fishing has been unreal coming into “Hogust” in the Salish Sea. Chinook in big numbers have been moving around with the bait. Favourite hangouts for the bait have been Kitty Coleman, Grant Reefs, and Coho Point, while the Strait has been holding massive numbers of coho.

Fishing your favourite Tomic 602 plugs off the bottom will produce good results, as will your favourite flasher and cuttlefish hoochie combination. Spoons also work well on 4′ to 6′ leaders. Consider increasing your leader to at least 40-lb test, as there are big springs being caught every day. Look after these broodstock— stop your boat and take your time reviving them before release. Remember to point their heads into the current while reviving. Retention slot size is 62 cm to 80 cm; anything under or over must go back. Don’t net the undersized—just pop the hook out with pliers or your gaff.

There are still loads of coho out there, and we don’t usually net them. Grab your flasher and check if they’re wild alongside the boat, and only haul them in if they’re hatchery. Green 3″ spoons or cuttlefish hoochies and anything blue or green and gator back are my favourites. Faster speeds work—try the Skinny G too on a 4′ leader!

Try trolling swim baits for cod, even while trolling for salmon. Find those pinnacles and reefs, and look for bait. You will get the odd hali trolling bottom, so be ready. There are plenty of Pacific cod, especially at Kitty Coleman—a very tasty fish-and-chip dinner.

Crabbing has been steady off Goose Spit at a variety of depths from 40′ to 100′ with no rhyme or reason. Find a flat gravel bottom and drop the traps.

Tight lines, enjoy your experience safely, and come home with some great eats!

Cliff Moors
[email protected]
Cliffs Chinook Charters, Comox BC 250-650-0684
cccharters.ca

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July 2024 Comox Fishing Report

Big Chinook pass by Comox in July, and we typically see an opening for retention on July 15. For these aggressive fish, plugs and hoochies work well because of their fast action. Areas around Hornby Island, Kitty Coleman, and Powell River will hold big runs of these summer Chinook. When you find the herring balls, you’ll find the fish! Look for the arches on your sounder—it will be hard to miss them. Humpback whales are a good sign, as are seals and birds.

Back on June 1, coho opened for retention of two hatchery fish (adipose fin clipped), and boy, they showed up in big numbers. It’s been an exciting time for food fishing. Coho are feisty, plentiful, and terrific eating.

When fishing with plugs, I prefer to pull the pins and run plugs with a Number 7 River Bait Gamakatsu hook. These hooks have a unique shape and large gap that optimizes hook penetration and holds fish securely. My favourite “go-to” plug is a Tomic 6″ or 7″ 602 UV. The “Tubby” version works terrific at times, so switch things up once in a while. Fishing with plugs means no flashers, which makes for sensitive fishing, especially when you have a strike and when you are bringing the fish to the boat.

Remember to have your descender devices ready—by law they are required on board.

Drop into your local tackle shop for all your needs. The boys at Gone Fishin’ here in Courtenay are the best, and they will help you with gear, tips, and local knowledge. Remember to keep up with your boat maintenance and regularly check your equipment. For summer fishing, I highly recommend pre-tying your gear setups for quick changes while you are on the water.

Tight lines, and play safe out there!

Cliff Moors
[email protected]
Cliffs Chinook Charters, Comox BC 250-650-0684
cccharters.ca

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June 2024 Comox Fishing Report

Big Chinook pass by Comox in June. Regulations currently permit catch and release even though there are many hatchery Chinook around—including those originating from the Puget Sound hatcheries. Conservation is certainly something all anglers respect, but hopefully we’ll be seeing more Mark Selective Fisheries open in more areas, which permit us to retain hatchery stocks. These fish are produced (mostly by volunteers from the angling community) to be caught. Keep checking the regulations or give me a call if you need clarity.

Here are a few short catch-and-release tips:

• Use smaller hooks to avoid eye hookups. I only run singles, as tandem hooks and trebles definitely do more damage.
• Use a good catch-and-release net if taking a picture. If not, don’t net at all.
• Avoid handling as much as possible. To release the fish while in the water, gaff at the side of the boat by sliding it down your line to the hook and giving it a twist to pop the hook out.

Typically, hoochies work well in June—the fish like the whipping action they produce. Areas around Hornby, Kitty Coleman, and Powell River all hold big runs of these early spring Chinook.

Lingcod fishing is always a good reprieve if you like to keep something. There are also a lot of Pacific cod in our area. Unlike sablefish/black cod, these cod are typically identifiable with a long chin barbell under its mouth.
Rock cod are also abundant for a tasty meal, and you may even get lucky with a halibut. Remember your descender devices and have them ready; by law they are required on board.

Drop into your local tackle shop for all your needs. The boys at Gone Fishing are the best and will point you in the right direction. Tight lines and play safe out there.

Cliff Moors
[email protected]
Cliffs Chinook Charters, Comox BC 250-650-0684
cccharters.ca

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May 2024 Comox Fishing Report

We get excited for the local lingcod opener here in Area 14. There are several good areas to fish: Check your charts, find some pinnacles with rock piles, and grab your favourite swim bait. Gear selection is critical. I prefer lighter tackle and a durable 81⁄2″ jigging rod so you can feel those rocks and hopefully get fewer snags. Fifty-pound braid works for me, but again it’s personal preferences. I prepare them for fish tacos or just pan fry dipped in egg, then flour and spice and into the pan. Rock cod typically open up at the same time, and I always enjoy taking the grandkids to jig some with my Buzz Bombs.

Chinook fishing can really turn on in May, and it’s unfortunate when catch-and-release regulations are in place as so many Puget Sound hatchery Chinook swim by. Spoons work well: These fish are aggressive and like the action. Areas around Hornby, Kitty Coleman, and Powell River all will hold big runs of these early spring Chinook.
For catch and release, here are some tips:

1. Use a good catch-and-release net if taking a picture. If you don’t have one, don’t net at all.
2. Use smaller single hooks to avoid eye hookups. Tandems or trebles do more damage.
3. Try and avoid handling altogether.
Release the fish with your gaff at the side of the boat. Slide it down the line to the hook, then pop the hook out.

Prawning slows a little in May, especially once the commercial boys start up. Soak a crab trap and see how that goes for you. Read the regulations for equipment rules and always remember to have your descender devices ready: By law they are required.

Drop into your local tackle shop for all your needs. The boys at Gone Fishin’ are the best and will point you in the right direction. Tight lines and play safe out there.

Cliff Moors
[email protected]
Cliffs Chinook Charters, Comox BC 250-650-0684
cccharters.ca

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March/April 2024 Comox Fishing Report

During March and April the herring spawn will be in full swing. Quite a few “sporties” will be going out and fishing herring for lingcod or halibut bait. Herring hunting is a great opportunity to learn about this fishery for families, kids, and dedicated anglers alike. This annual community tradition has become a fun ritual for passionate herring hunters.
I typically walk down to Point Holmes right after a flood tide, bring a bucket, and pick up herring off the beach.

Chinook fishing can be hit or miss locally in March. If you time it right, you can hit them as they arrive prior to their feeding on the herring. During the herring spawn it’s difficult to entice a bite. Sometimes cut plug herring will work or running a chovy and flasher combo. The two-Chinook-per-day limit usually ends April 1 so anglers like to get a few for the freezer on nice March days.

Prawning remains consistent according to some close friends who have been out. With closures up north and around Campbell River, there’s been a lot of pressure on our local spots near Denman Island. Get out there, enjoy your day prawning, and try for a winter Chinook during the soak.

This time of year also can be a good time to make sure everything is tip-top on your boat for the upcoming season. Go to Gone Fishin’ and visit Dan and the boys to stock up on the items of gear you require. Have your boat serviced, check your safety gear (first aid kits, flares, PFDs), and make sure you have your descending device ready to go. I’m super excited about the upcoming season—bookings are coming in and that charges me up! Tight lines and play safe out there.

Cliff Moors
[email protected]
Cliffs Chinook Charters, Comox BC 250-650-0684
cccharters.ca

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September 2023

September is an exciting fishing month—the fall runs arrive to the local rivers as do the southeast winds. You’ll need to pick your days on the ocean carefully, and watch the wind forecasts!

Based on what I’ve learned over the years of fishing Comox, I change my gear this month to pink hoochies or pink squirts towed behind purple and gold flasher combos. One of my favourite tie-ups is nicknamed the “Qualicum Special,” which is a Purple Haze cuttlefish with an MP2 squirt stuffed inside. It seems to entice the big springs. It’s always special to see everyone gather in September at the local haunts, trying for the big Puntledge River Chinook— the Canary Bouys, Red Bell, and Goose Spit to name a few. Fish slow and shallow and hang on! So much fun when they make the big initial run!

The coho are always fun and show up in decent numbers, usually off Little River or towards Kitty Coleman. They’re typically feeding off big herring, and I’ve found a white and blue Turd works for the big Northerns. Also, a naked spoon (no in-line flasher) and a dummy flasher can be super exciting for these acrobatic fish!

As we rounded into the end of September the past few years, the month brought some beautiful winter feeder Chinook early, also to Kitty Coleman. With a limit of 2 each, it’s definitely a good time to go stock up on a few nice red meat fish. It’s especially nice for us guides who don’t get much time off for our own recreational fishing.

We can’t forget about the Chum Derby in Brown’s Bay in October—plan your derby and your fishing partners and get there for this end-of-season farewell to fishing 2023 bash! It’s always exciting, the hosts do an amazing job year after year, and it’s for a great cause (Greenway Land Trust)! Tight lines everyone, and keep the rod tip up!

Cliff Moors
[email protected]
Cliffs Chinook Charters, Comox BC 250-650-0684
cccharters.ca

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August 2023

June and early July have brought “coho mania” to our area! I started fishing here in 2000 and remember hearing stories about the coho that used to be here in massive numbers. This season it’s happened again! We have been catching these feisty fish at depths of anywhere from 50′ to 250′. Last time I was out, 90′ to 100′ was the ticket. The Blue Meanie cuttlefish hoochie has been working well for me, and any 3″ green spoon towed behind a green flasher has been working great. I suggest a 3′ leader for the hoochie for a good whipping action, and a 6′ leader for the spoon, which doesn’t need action transmitted by the flasher.

Lingcod and rockfish fishing have continued to be steady. You’ll have to earn your spots, but swim baits either trolled or jigged near the bottom almost always work. Put your time in on a high slack tide and you’ll be rewarded with some of these tasty critters.

As always, Chinook fishing is lights out, as it has been since May. I like to run plugs near the bottom, but the hoochie and flasher combo in the morning seems to work better some days—try switching it up. Expect to be seeing 15- to 25-lb fish this month, and if you are lucky, a nice Tyee! Comox gives you the advantage of location: Kitty Coleman is a 30-minute boat ride, Coho Point on the mainland side is 30-minute run, and the South End of Hornby (Tribune Bay), is only 45 minutes away. All are holding fish right now!

While you are in the area, check out the Comox Municipal Marina. Enjoy the kids’ water park and the amazing food trucks at the Marina. Take some time to relax in the beautiful park—the boat launch is right there—or try the Blackfin Pub for a great meal on the deck overlooking the marina!

Tips up, and get your hand off the reel if they’re running! If you’d like any information about the area, please don’t hesitate to give me a call.

Cliff Moors
[email protected]
Cliffs Chinook Charters, Comox BC 250-650-0684
cccharters.ca

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July 2023

Fishing has been unreal coming into July in the Georgia Straight. Chinook in big numbers have been moving around with the bait. Favourite hangouts for the bait has been Kitty Coleman, Grants Reef, and Coho Pt. The South end of Hornby has been holding massive numbers of coho.

Fishing your favourite plugs off the bottom will produce good results as well as your favourite flasher/cuttlefish combination. Spoons also work well with 4 ft to 6 ft leaders. Time to up your leaders to at least 40 lb test as there’s big springs being caught every day. Look after these brood stock, stop your boat, and take your time reviving them before release. One key factor is to get their heads pointed into the current while reviving. Retention slot size is 62 cm to 80 cm anything under or over goes back so look these fish. Don’t net the undersized—just pop the hook out with pliers or your gaff.

There’s still loads of coho out there and I don’t suggest netting them either. Just grab the flasher and check to see if they’re wild alongside the boat. Haul them in if they are hatchery or release them if their adipose fin is intact. There are plenty so don’t worry about losing the odd one. We have been getting them on a green 3-inch spoons, or green cuttlefish hoochies. Troll faster and generally they’re around the 100 ft mark on your rigger. Current regs your allowed two hatchery coho in Area 14.

For bottom fish, we get cod trolling swim baits or while we are trolling for salmon. Find those pinnacles and reefs and look for bait. Rockfish and lingcod are still in good numbers. You will get the odd halibut trolling bottom, also so be ready. Plenty of Pacific cod are out there also especially Kitty Coleman—these fish are a tasty fish and chip dinner.

My last trip out to Kitty we were getting springs at all depths on the rigger lots of suspended bait!

When visiting the valley now is a great time to tube down Puntledge River. Plenty of hiking trails Nymph Falls, Barbers Hole enjoy swimming in the nice fresh water.

Tight lines and enjoy your experience safely and come home with some great eats!