Find out what’s working and what’s not when fishing in the Nanaimo area on Central Vancouver Island. From Thrasher Rock, Gabriola Island, Entrance Island, Five Finger Island, Snake Island and even Departure Bay and Neck Point, you’ll find everything you need for your time on the water around Nanaimo. Key tips, best practices, places and the go-to lures are just a sample of what you’ll find in our fishing report.
Nanaimo Marine Weather Forecast
Nanaimo Fishing Regulations Area 17
Nanaimo Fishing Report
September – October 2024 Fishing Report
September typically provides some of the last opportunities to catch mature Chinook in the Nanaimo area, but last year we were catching them into mid-October. It will all depend on rain and water levels in our local rivers.
Rocky Point to Thrasher will hold Chinook on their last feeding frenzy before heading for their natal rivers. Jigging the northwest point of Entrance is also a good bet. Entrance Reef is best trolled along the eastern side, bottom bouncing the 220′ ledge. Typically, the Fingers and Hudson Rock hold the Nanaimo River Chinook later than the other areas. The Green Herring Aid Skinny G has been my top-producing spoon this summer. UV cuttlefish and green and white hoochies have been excellent trolling producers this year.
After the mature spawning fish have entered the rivers, different runs of feeder Chinook come in waves through the area. October and December usually produce good fishing when spoons are trolled down deep.
The coho run has been good so far; hopefully it will continue well into the fall, as coho mature in September and October and provide tremendous fun on sunny fall days. Troll these fish with small spoons.
Entrance Island and the Fingers are hot spots if coho are around. Ling and rockfish typically close for retention on October 1. It’s been a surprisingly great year for lingcod off Thrasher and Entrance, and even the Fingers. Fish the Mega Bite swimbaits in 6 to 14 oz. Try fishing the drop-offs, pinnacles, or any humps surrounded by deep water for best results. Be sure to have your descending device ready, even while trolling salmon. You never know what you’ll hook into when down over 200′ deep on your downrigger.
Andrew Luch
Andrew’s West Coast Adventures
Nanaimo BC | 250-619-4999
http://www.andrewswestcoastadventures.com/
August 2024 Nanaimo Fishing Report
“Hogust“ is here! This means we start seeing bigger, more mature fish in Area 17. Bigger fish are certainly present, though not in the numbers we see during the spring months. Rocky Point all the way to Thrasher Rock likely will hold nice-sized Chinook this month. This is structure fishing, with most of the fish feeding in 60′ to 250′ of water.
Lures of note include spoons, hoochies, jigs, or anchovies in clear green scale or green/chartreuse Rhys Davis teaser heads. Spoon colours of choice are Gibbs Green Herring Aid, Herring Aid, Cop Car, Pickleback, Homeland Security, and the Georgia Tyee. For hoochies, I recommend T-Rex, Blue Meanie, glow white, and green or blue Spatter Back.
The Fingers have been holding the largest concentrations of coho this year. Try 3″ G-Force spoons fished on 40” leaders while trolling at 2.5 to 3.0 mph.
Jigging is very common, and this is the month to try it! The best results are seen by finding bait schools and dropping jigs beside and below them. Staying near the bait schools is a must!
Lingcod and rockfish are still present at Gabriola and Entrance Island reefs, particularly near any structure or pinnacle from 30′ to 120′ deep. Swim baits are my first choice, as their lifelike fluttering tail action cannot be resisted by these low-lying predators!
The 4- to 14-oz Lighthouse Lures Mega Bite jigs, Max Shads, or Gibbs Fishing Power Paddles are always at the top of my tackle box. With any bottom fishing, it is critical to remember to have your descending device ready to return any bycatch and to avoid potential fines.
Prawning is also generally good this month. Pellets and a half can of Yum Yum bait fished at 320′ to 350′ typically see the best outcomes in August. With a 3- to 4-hour soak, you can reasonably expect 30 to 100 prawns per trap.
Andrew Luch
Andrew’s West Coast Adventures
Nanaimo BC | 250-619-4999
http://www.andrewswestcoastadventures.com/
July 2024 Nanaimo Fishing Report
July is typically prime time for fishing around the Nanaimo area. July offers some of the best coho fishing Area 17 will see all year. Chinook fishing is usually awesome as well, with many fish chasing bait and putting on weight before they make the final push to their home rivers. Fishing structure is your best bet, all the way from Thrasher Rock to Neck Point. Schools of fish can be found all over, and most efforts should be focused on structure from 100′ to 250′ deep.
My gear of choice includes Skinny G spoons in Bon Chovy, Trailhead, Green Herring Aid, Paddy Wagon, or Outfitter, and hoochies in Green Spatterback, Blue Spatterback, Double Glow, Snot Rocket, or Blue Meanie. If non-retention of Chinook is in effect during this time, please remember to take extreme care and caution when releasing these fish; they are the future of our fishery.
Hatchery coho retention started June 1, and it’s been solid! Currently two hatchery-marked coho over 30 cm per angler, per day are allowed. My favourite coho catching methods are trolling smaller spoons and hoochies, both of which highlight these feisty and acrobatic fish. Trolling depths around the Fingers can vary between 70′ to 150′, depending on the time of day. If you are jigging for either species of salmon, aim to find schools of bait and fish below and beside them. Many fish will strike your jig on the drop, so be ready for a quick hook set!
Lingcod and rockfish are also present at Entrance Island, Gabriola Reefs, and Thrasher Rock. Look for pinnacles and sharp drop-offs, as they provide structure for lingcod to hide. Swimbaits from 6 oz through 14 oz are commonly used.
Be sure to have your descending device ready when fishing for bottom fish, so any bycatch can be safely returned to the depths without harm. I suggest releasing lingcod over 15 lbs, as they are most often breeders.
Andrew Luch
Andrew’s West Coast Adventures
Nanaimo BC | 250-619-4999
http://www.andrewswestcoastadventures.com/
June 2024 Nanaimo Fishing Report
In June, Chinook fishing is generally excellent off The Fingers and Entrance and all the way to Thrasher. Try depths of 110′ to 250′. Bottom bouncing is very productive around structures like Entrance reefs, but look for schools of bait and adjust depths accordingly. Skinny G spoons in Bon Chovy, Cop Car, Herring Aid, Green Herring Aid, and Trailhead are great choices. The new colours in Big Eye Spoons have been producing very well, too.
If you love hoochies, some go-to favourites are T-Rex, green and blue Spatter Back, Snot Rocket, Army Truck, and Glow White. Try jigging early this year. Look for shallow bait schools, generally at 30′ to 60’—fish beside and just below them and look for bird activity and bubbles on the water. One- to two-oz half jigs produced very well last year. Reports of abundant coho have been very promising this year, and if the numbers are good, hatchery coho retention should begin June 1. The Fingers and Entrance are the hot spots. I’ve had luck using the same gear I use when targeting Chinook; just troll faster for coho.
Lingcod and rockfish seasons are in full swing in June. The typical spots such as Gabriola Reef and Entrance Reef provide perfect structure for these predatory species. Fish the pinnacles in 40′ to 180′ of water. I primarily use swimbaits like 6-oz Max Shads or Power Paddles, but some will use a herring on a spreader bar.
Be sure to have your descending devices ready to go, attached to a downrigger with cannonball so you can return any undersized or bycatch successfully even when targeting salmon.
Commercial prawning season also is in progress in June. I try to avoid prawning when the commercial fleet is out in full force, but if you are out there, try depths between 320′ to 380′. Pellets and half a can of Yum Yum bait always works well for me on a 3- to 4-hr soak. Remember, it’s $125 per license. Fines are $10 per prawn over the legal limit.
Andrew Luch
Andrew’s West Coast Adventures
Nanaimo BC | 250-619-4999
http://www.andrewswestcoastadventures.com/
May 2024 Nanaimo Fishing Report
Did someone say fish and chips? Well, it’s that time with cod opening May 1. It’s time to dig out the secret lure, or better yet, invite your fishing partner and get them to buy some lures, gas, lunch, and cold drinks. Make sure you check the regulations to make sure you are not fishing in a Rockfish Conservatory Area (RCA). Also, DFO will be checking for descending devices, so have yours onboard and at the ready. It’s not a bad idea to have a second one on your boat for backup, because if you lose one, you’ll have to stop fishing.
Something new: You may run into a First Nations patrol boat out checking this year. I was checking my crab traps last month and they came and talked to me—very nice guys. This is good news. Having more eyes and ears on the fishing grounds can help keep poachers away as well as help stop over- and illegal fishing.
Make sure you get your crab trap soaking while out getting your fresh cod for dinner. I find that fresh chicken for crab bait is the best. This year there has been lots of Dungeness showing up in many of the smaller bays in and around the Gulf Islands.
I did catch a few salmon last year, and I found some of them were full of baby crab. This makes me believe
maybe in the future there might be a season on Dungeness crab. Make sure you put the Galiano Salmon Classic fishing derby on your calendar for May 25. Last year was a sold-out event with lots of fun and prizes. Contact Cory Matheson 604-218-3396 or email [email protected].
Andrew Luch
Andrew’s West Coast Adventures
Nanaimo BC | 250-619-4999
http://www.andrewswestcoastadventures.com/
March/April 2024 Nanaimo Fishing Report
March provided better-than-usual Chinook fishing at Entrance Island and along the east side of Gabriola, so you may want to start there. March can be very hit or miss, as herring are spawning and moving from deep to shallow water, then back again. So far this year we have had consistent results fishing between 150′ and 250′. Don’t be afraid to troll a little faster than normal when targeting these aggressively feeding fish.
My go-to setups: green glow and black flashers with Big Eye spoons in Derby Winner, Avocado Dream, Reelman, or Royal Flash. Needlefish hoochies in Double Glow can work very well this time of year too. Some are having good success running plugs at Entrance down deep, which can be fun if you dislike fishing with flashers. Four-to- five-inch Tomics seem to be the choice when ripping plugs, and Chinook in the 10-to-15-lb range are in the mix. It can be a lot of fun catching scrappy salmon without a flasher.
In mid-April the offshore fishery picks up. Fishing two to three miles offshore from the Fingers all the way to Thrasher Rock in 500′ to 900′ of water produces high numbers of Chinook. The majority of these are US-bound mixed in with some of our local stocks. Typically, I will fish 110′ to 180′ on the downriggers. It pays to try and stay on top of the bigger bait schools as the fish will not be far behind them. Be sure to keep a watchful eye on the wind this time of the year. We’re not out of the snotty weather just yet!
Chinook retention typically closes on April 1, at least in recent years. Prawning remains fairly good. For all species, always check local regulations.
Andrew Luch
Andrew’s West Coast Adventures
Nanaimo BC | 250-619-4999
http://www.andrewswestcoastadventures.com/
September 2023
September typically provides the last opportunities for catching mature Chinook in the Nanaimo area, but last year we were catching Chinook into mid-October. It depends on rain and water levels in our local rivers.
Entrance Island, The Fingers, Hudson Rock, The Grande, and Thrasher all hold Chinook on their last feeding frenzy before heading for their natal rivers. The Money Trough off of Entrance can be most productive between 135′ and 250′. Jigging the northwest point of Entrance is also a good bet. Entrance Reef is best trolled along the eastern side, bottom bouncing the 220′ ledge. Typically, The Fingers and Hudson Rock hold the Nanaimo River Chinook later than the other areas. Rolling an anchovy is like waving candy in front of a child at this time of year. The Bon Chovy Skinny G, T-Rex, and Army Truck hoochies have been excellent trolling producers this year. Half jigs in Herring Aid, Green Herring Aid, or silver have been hot for those jigging near The Fingers.
After the mature spawning fish have entered the rivers, different runs of feeder Chinook come in waves through the area. October and December usually produce good fishing when spoons are trolled down deep.
The coho run has been amazing so far; hopefully it will continue well into the fall, as coho mature in September and October and provide tremendous fun on sunny fall days. Troll these fish with small spoons. Entrance Island and The Fingers are hot spots if coho are around.
Ling and rockfish typically close for retention October 1. It’s been a surprisingly great year for lingcod off Thrasher and Entrance, and even The Fingers. Fish Mega Bite swimbaits in 6 to 14 oz. Try fishing the dropoffs, pinnacles, or any humps surrounded by deep water for best results. Be sure to have your descending device ready, even while trolling salmon. You never know what you’ll hook into when down over 200′ deep on your downrigger.
Andrew Luch
Andrew’s West Coast Adventures
Nanaimo BC | 250-619-4999
http://www.andrewswestcoastadventures.com/
August 2023
I always look forward to August, which typically has productive Chinook fishing in Area 17. Bigger fish are certainly present, though not in the numbers we see during spring months. Rocky Point all the way to Thrasher Rock likely will hold nice-sized Chinook this month. This is structure fishing, with most of the fish feeding in 60′ to 250′ of water. Lures of note include spoons, hoochies, jigs, or anchovies in clear green scale or green/chartreuse Rhys Davis teaser heads. Spoon colours of choice are the Gibbs Green Herring Aid, Herring Aid, Cop Car, Pickleback, Homeland Security, and Georgia Tyee. For hoochies, I recommend T-Rex, Blue Meanie, glow white, and green or blue Spatter Back.
For continued coho fishing this month, the Fingers have been holding the largest concentrations this year. Try 3″ G-Force spoons fished on 40″ leaders while trolling at 2.5 to 3.0 mph.
Jigging is becoming very popular, and this is the month to try it! Best results are seen by finding bait schools and dropping jigs beside and below them. Staying near the bait schools is a must! Jigging is even more challenging on light tackle and lightweight spinning rods. I favour the MacDeep and half jigs, anywhere from 0.5 to 1.5 oz.
Lingcod and rockfish are still present at Gabriola and Entrance Island reefs, particularly near any structure or pinnacle from 30′ to 120′ deep. Swim baits are my first choice, as their life- like fluttering tail action cannot be resisted by these low-lying predators!
The 4- to 14-oz Lighthouse Lures Mega Bite jigs, Max Shads, or Gibbs Fishing Power Paddles are always at the top of my tackle box. With any bottom fishing, it is critical to remember to have your descending device ready to return any bycatch, and to avoid potential fines.
Prawning is also generally good this month. Pellets and a half can of Yum Yum bait fished at 320′ to 350′ typically sees the best outcomes in August. With a 3- to 4-hour soak, you can reasonably expect 30 to 100 prawns per trap.
Andrew Luch
Andrew’s West Coast Adventures
Nanaimo BC | 250-619-4999
http://www.andrewswestcoastadventures.com/
July 2023
July is prime time for fishing around the Nanaimo area. Chinook fishing is productive,
all the way from Thrasher Rock to Neck Point. Schools of fish can be found in offshore waters over 600′ to 800′, and most efforts should be focused on structures from 100′ to 250′ deep. Hugging the bottom typically will also pay off from Grande to Whalebone or the Money Trough at Entrance Reef.
My gear of choice includes Skinny G spoons in Bon Chovy, Trailhead, Green Herring Aid, Paddy Wagon, or Outfitter, and hoochies in Green Spatterback, Blue Spatterback, Double Glow, Snot Rocket, or Blue Meanie. Plugs can also be productive at this time of year.
If non-retention of Chinook is in effect during this time, please remember to take extreme care and caution when releasing these fish; they are the future of our fishery.
Hatchery coho retention started June 1, and it’s off to a very solid start. Currently two hatchery-marked coho over 30 cm/ angler/day are allowed. My favourite coho catching methods are trolling smaller spoons and hoochies, both of which highlight these feisty and acrobatic fish. Trolling depths around Entrance Island or off the Fingers can vary between 70′ to 150′, depending on time of day. If you are jigging for either species of salmon, aim to find schools of bait and fish below and beside them. Many fish will strike your jig on the drop, so be ready for a quick hook set!
Lingcod and rockfish are also present at Entrance Island, Gabriola Reefs, and Thrasher Rock. Look for pinnacles and sharp dropoffs, as they provide structure for lingcod to hide. Swimbaits from 6 oz through 14 oz are commonly used.
A medium-sized herring fished off a spreader bar or with a sliding sinker also can be successful, and twister tail plastics and jigs also will entice both species. Be sure to have your descending device ready when fishing for bottom fish, so any bycatch can be safely returned to the depths without harm. Try to release any lingcod over 15 lbs, as they are most often breeders.
Andrew Luch
Andrew’s West Coast Adventures
Nanaimo BC | 250-619-4999
http://www.andrewswestcoastadventures.com/
June 2023
Chinook fishing is generally excellent off The Fingers, Entrance/Orlebar, the Flat Tops, Thrasher, and Whalebone through The Grande in June. Try depths of 130′ to 250′. Bottom bouncing is very productive, but look for stratified bait schools and adjust accordingly. Spoons in Killy Magee, Bon Chovy, Cookies and Cream, and silver/blue are great choices.
Hoochie favourites are T-Rex, Blue Meany, and glow white. Whole or strip baits in Rhys Davis clear green scale or green/chartreuse turn a lot of heads. I’m going to try jigging early this year! Look for shallow bait schools, generally at 30′ to 40’—fish beside and just below them. We did well with Herring Aide, silver/ blue, and blue/white 2-oz jigs last year. Reports of abundant coho have me very excited this year! Hatchery coho retention should begin June 1. The Fingers and Entrance are the hot spots for this species. Try small spoons on 3′ to 4′ leaders, and troll faster than you would for Chinook. Jigging is the ultimate method for coho, as they tend to jump and really fight on light tackle. Ramp up the action on the jigs, as this species really likes to chase!
Lingcod and rockfish season is in progress in June. Gabriola Reef and Entrance Reef provide perfect structure for these species. Fish the pinnacles in 30′ to 120′ of water. I primarily use medium herring on sliding sinkers, but plastics and jigs are very effective. Commercial prawning season also is in progress in June; I don’t bother prawning during the commercial season.
After 37 years, I’m retiring from guiding, and this will be my last area report.
I know I’ll miss the camaraderie, scenery, and fishing very much! Thank you to the people that fished with me, who read my reports, and to Island Fisherman. Joel has always been so supportive to me personally and to Silver Blue Charters, and we are very lucky to have this fabulous publication in his hands. All the best!
Goodbye, so long, and thanks for all the fish(ing)!
Bob Meyer
[email protected]
Silver Blue Charters
May 2023
May has always been the best month for Chinook fishing in this area. There are fish both offshore, in 600′ to 800′ of water, and inshore in their normal haunts. The offshore fishery runs two to three miles out from the Fingers to Thrasher, with downrigger depths running 120′ to 180′. The structure at Thrasher, Grande to Whalebone, Entrance, and the Fingers also hold fish in the 160′ to 220′ depths. My lures of choice include spoons in Killy Magee, Mongoose, Bon Chovy, and Cookies and Cream. Hoochies in T-Rex, Blue Meany, and glow white are also favourites. Whole or strip baits in Rhys Davis clear green scale, or green/ chartreuse are worthwhile for the bait anglers, too.
There are good numbers of coho around, and this is terrific news for the June 1 hatchery coho opener. Last year there were only small waves of coho passing through, and there were huge gaps in the fishery. This year looks to be much more promising!
Ling and rockfish open May 1. The structure at Entrance and Gabriola Reefs provides perfect habitat for these fish. Ling like to hang out on pinnacles from 30′ to 100′ deep. Try large bait, plastics, or jigs for this species.
Rockfish inhabit similar habitat to lingcod, but you’ll want to scale down the bait size for “rockies.” My favourite colour for plastics is purple and glow green/white for jigs.
Prawning opened April 1; the numbers and size seem relatively good so far. Keep in mind the commercial prawn fishery generally starts May 8. I do not pursue prawns when the commercial fishermen are working.
Bob Meyer
[email protected]
Silver Blue Charters
(250) 247-8807 or (250) 755-6150
www.silverbluecharters.com
March/April 2023
In 2022, March provided better- than-usual Chinook fishing at The Grande and Orlebar, so you may want to start there. March can be sporadic, as the herring are spawning and moving from deep to shallow water, then back again. But last year, we had consistent results bottom bouncing the 200′ to 220′ depths at both locales.
My tried-and-true setups work wonderfully every year: green/glow flashers with Killy Magee or Cookies and Cream spoons. I had the pleasure of hosting Vancouver-based custom rod builder Larry Cardus, who insisted on running plugs on his gear. We were running silver/blue and glow green/ silver 4″ Tomics. Boy did we catch fish, all in the 12- to 15-lb range! It was pure joy catching them without a flasher— they fight so beautifully on plugs and you can fish with such precision.
In mid-April, the offshore fishery lights up. Fishing 2 to 3 miles off Gabriola from the Fingers to Thrasher in 600′ to 800′ of water produces astounding numbers of Chinook. The majority of these are US hatchery-bound fish, mixed in with our local stocks. Typically, we fish 120′ to 180′ on the downriggers. It pays to mark heavy fish locations on your GPS, as you can return to these spots year after year. Remember that the Chinook retention fishery has been closed on April 1 for the past 4 years. Look closely at your local regulations before retaining any Chinook— or other species for that matter.
Gabriola is a wonderful place to visit any time of year. Folks here are super friendly and welcoming! We have lovely accommodations, fantastic restaurants, three pubs, a golf course, great trails for biking and walking, superb artisans, a seasonal farmers market, kayaking, nice beaches, and, of course, fishing!
Please come and enjoy, and be sure to “drop me a line,” especially if you are going to drop one in the water as well.
Bob Meyer
[email protected]
Silver Blue Charters
(250) 247-8807 or (250) 755-6150
www.silverbluecharters.com
September 2022
Early September provides the last opportunity for catching mature Chinook in the Nanaimo area.
Thrasher, The Grande, Entrance, The Fingers, and Hudson Rock all hold Chinook on their last feeding binge before ascending the rivers. The Milk Run between the Thrasher marker and the Red Can may be trolled from 120′ to 160′. Jigging the west side wall also is productive. Entrance Reef is best trolled along the eastern reef, bottom bouncing the 220′ edge. Jigging the Yellow Can occasionally is very good and always worth a shot. The Fingers and Hudson Rock hold Nanaimo River Chinook later than the other areas. The Bon Chovy spoon and T-Rex hoochies have been excellent producers this year for the trollers. Half jigs in Herring Aid or silver have been hot for the jiggers.
After the mature fish have departed, different runs of feeder Chinook come in waves through the area. October and December usually produce good fishing. The December fishing was particularly strong last year at the Grande and Entrance.
The local coho run has been scant so far, although there are fish to the north of us. Hopefully some fish will migrate into our area soon, as they are mature in September and October and provide tremendous sport. These fish can be trolled with small spoons or jigged. Entrance Island and The Fingers are hot spots if the coho are around. The pink salmon run will provide action for the beach casters in early September.
Hopefully, there will be a sockeye opening off the Fraser. It’s a long run, and sockeye fishing is a “gong show” (if you’ve done it, you know what I mean), but nothing beats the taste of a fresh Fraser River sockeye!
Ling and rockfish close for retention October 1. It’s been a surprisingly great year for the ling off Thrasher and Entrance. Fish 5″ herring on sliding sinkers. Black/silver plastics or green/ yellow jigs are my favourites for these voracious beasts. Try fishing the humps in 50′ of water for best results.
Prawning has been excellent all summer. The 350′ depth fished with good old tuna cat food is the gold standard.
Bob Meyer
[email protected]
Silver Blue Charters
(250) 247-8807 or (250) 755-6150
www.silverbluecharters.com
August 2022
August has solid fishing for Chinook, but not in the numbers of fish present during the
spring months. Thrasher, Grande to Whalebone, Entrance, and the Fingers all hold great-sized Chinook this month. This is structure fishing, with most of the fish feeding in 80′ to 250′ of water. Lures of note include herring or anchovy fished in clear green scale or green/ chartreuse Rhys Davis teaser heads, spoons in Killy Magee, Mongoose, Cookies and Cream, or Watermelon. For hoochies I recommend T-Rex, Blue Meany, or glow white. Also, Tomic plugs work well when combing the shallower depths from 80′ to 120′. Jigging is very popular this month and a super fun way to fish. This is accomplished by finding bait schools and dropping your jig beside and below them.
Old school Perkins, L’il Nibs, Half Jigs, and MacDeep are most certainly jigs of choice. Of course, it goes without saying to check current regulations before fishing for Chinook in the Nanaimo (or any other) area.
Entrance Island and The Fingers hold the largest concentrations of coho. Try 3-inch Killy Magee or Pink Sink spoons fished on 40-inch leaders at 2.5 kts while trolling. Jigging really enhances the fighting qualities of these fish when using light tackle.
Keep your eyes peeled for a hopeful sockeye opening off the Fraser River mouth this summer. It is a long run, and “combat style fishing,” but they sure are tasty and worth it!
Ling and rockfish are present at Gabriola and Entrance Reefs. Fish the humps from 30′ to 120′ deep. 5″ herring fished on sliding sinkers, purple or black/white swimmer baits, or green/ white jigs will entice these species onto your dinner plate.
Prawning is generally good this month. Tuna cat food fished at 350′ is pretty standard—expect 60 to 100 prawns per trap.
Bob Meyer
[email protected]
Silver Blue Charters
(250) 247-8807 or (250) 755-6150
www.silverbluecharters.com
July 2022
Please consult local DFO regulations for pertinent directives concerning Chinook salmon before fishing in Area 17 in July.
Chinook fishing was very strong at Entrance Island in July the past 3 years, fishing the edge of the northern reef along the 220′ ledge. This is generally accomplished by bottom bouncing using T-Rex or glow white hoochies, or Cookies and Cream, Killy Magee, or Mongoose spoons. The Grande to Waterfall area also is a wonderful spot to fish. Comb the depths from 130′ to 220′, keeping one bait near the bottom and varying the depth on the other downrigger. Jigging comes on this month, and some great days are to be had by finding bait schools in the shallower waters and jigging below and beside them.
Hopefully coho will arrive in good numbers in July. This is a hatchery fin-clipped retention fishery. Entrance Island and The Fingers are go-to spots for coho. They like to chase, so speed up slightly, shorten the leaders, and bring the downriggers up to 80′ to 120′. Three-inch spoons in Killy Magee, Bob Marley, or Pink Sink are good choices for this species. Trolling 3″ plugs is a fun way to catch these fish, as is jigging, which highlights the fighting qualities of the coho.
Look for pinnacles, as well as drops in 30′ to 120′ of water. I prefer using medium herring on a slider sinker setup, but 5-oz jigs in silver or green/white— or plastics in purple—will turn heads. Sometimes the ling are in deeper water, and can be trolled if necessary. This is accomplished by bottom-bouncing large swimmer baits along the contours.
Prawning has recovered from the commercial onslaught by now, so it’s green light on the “spotties.” Try fishing the 350′ mark, with good old tuna cat food as bait.
Bob Meyer
[email protected]
Silver Blue Charters
(250) 247-8807 or (250) 755-6150
www.silverbluecharters.com
June 2022
June is prime time for fishing in the Nanaimo area. The Chinook fishing is superb at Thrasher, Entrance, The Fingers, and Grande through Whalebone. Although there are some lingering schools of fish in offshore waters, most of the effort is concentrated on structure from 100′ to 250′ deep. Bottom bouncing Grande to Whalebone or the north side of Entrance Reef usually provides good results. Baits of choice include herring or anchovy in Rhys Davis teasers in green/chartreuse or clear green scale, spoons in Killy Magee, Mongoose, Cookies and Cream, or Kitchen Sink, or hoochies in T-Rex or Blue Meanie. Tomic plugs in silver/blue or green/fluorescent white fished in the shallower water also are favourites this time of year. Non-retention of Chinook is in effect during this time, so remember to take infinite care when releasing this species!
Hatchery coho retention starts June 1, and we are hoping for better returns this year. 2021 proved to be a slow year for coho locally. My favourite coho- catching methods are trolling small plugs or jigging, both of which highlight the fighting abilities of the fish. Trolling plugs around Entrance in 60′ to 120′ can produce good results. Remember to tune the speed of the plug by watching it at shallow depth behind the downrigger before descending it. It should swim, hop, and dart properly. Generally, you’ll want to troll at speeds of 2.5 to 2.8 kts. When jigging, find the bait schools and fish below and beside them. A lot of fish hit on the drop, so be ready to set the hook!
Ling and rockfish are present at Gabriola and Entrance Reefs. Look for pinnacles, as they provide attack structure for the ling. Medium herring fished with sliding sinkers, plastics, and jigs will entice both species. Remember to release any ling over 15 lbs, as they are the brood stock.
Bob Meyer
[email protected]
Silver Blue Charters
(250) 247-8807 or (250) 755-6150
www.silverbluecharters.com
May 2022
May is my favourite month for Chinook fishing in Gabriola/ Nanaimo waters. The abundance of fish arrives early in the month offshore in 600′ to 800′ of water from The Fingers to Thrasher. We call this “the fish highway,” as several distinct runs of American and B.C. fish follow this route. Downrigger depths generally run 120′ to 180′, and amazingly I can go back to previous years’ GPS marks, and the fish will be there.
Try out herring or anchovy in Rhys Davis clear green scale or green/chartreuse teasers; 3″ to 31⁄2″ spoons in Killy MaGee, Mongoose, Cookies and Cream, Watermelon, or Kitchen Sink; or hoochies in T-Rex or glow white. I’ve really grown fond of running 3″ to 4″ Tomic plugs in green/white or silver/ blue, as the fish fight so much better without towing the flasher. Remember to test the plug action behind the boat at shallow depth before descending it. It should dart and swim nicely, generally at speeds between 2.5 and 2.7 kts. This is much quicker than when using flashers, which I generally fish at 2 to 2.2 kts. Some of the fish come inshore mid-month and can be found in depths of 100′ to 200′ off Thrasher, Grande to Whalebone, Entrance, and The Fingers. I much prefer structure fishing to the “taxi driver” strategy of fishing offshore, but when the fish are in the deep, it can be fast and furious!
Ling and Rockfish opened May 1. The structures at Entrance and Gabriola Reef both hold fish. Try fishing the humps in 35′ to 65′ but be prepared to fish much deeper if you are not encountering fish. Herring fished on tandem hooks with sliding sinkers, plastics, and jigs will all catch fish. Purple plastics and yellow/ green jigs are effective colour patterns. Trolling plastics near the bottom is also an effective way to fish, but it is occasionally dangerous if you should hang up on the bottom structure. Lingcod sometimes come into very shallow water, and I talked to one person last year who was watching the ling take his bait in 15′ of water. Please be sure to limit your catch on the ling, as we want to keep the stocks strong.
Bob Meyer
[email protected]
Silver Blue Charters
(250) 247-8807 or (250) 755-6150
www.silverbluecharters.com
March/April 2022
March is the transition month for the Chinook from the winter fishery into the phenomenal spring migration fishery. The herring spawn mid-month, and when they do, everything is on the move. The main bulk of herring migrate from west coast Vancouver Island into the Salish Sea, where their local cousins join them in the annual spawning ritual. These fish come from the deep into the shallows to spawn on the kelp, then move back into deep water. The Chinook follow them to feed, and it can be “lights out” fishing one day, nothing the next. Generally, the Chinook are found just off the bottom, but as the big herring schools stratify on the move, the fish can be found at shallower depths. Thrasher, Grande, Entrance, and The Fingers can hold fish, but it can be quite a hunting game.
Downrigger depths range from 120′ to 180′ this time of year. Lures of choice include whole herring or anchovy in Rhys Davis green/chartreuse or clear green scale teasers, spoons in Mongoose, Killy Magee, Cookies and Cream, green/white glow, or Watermelon, and hoochies in T-Rex or Blue Meany.
Some of the Chinook start to cruise the shoreline in April, so Thrasher, The Grande to Whalebone, Entrance, and The Fingers can be productive fishing in water that is 150′ to 200′ deep. Ling and rockfish don’t open until May 1, but if you have a craving—whitefish, kelp greenling, sole, flounder, and cabezon may be retained in March and April. Kelp greenling like rocky bottoms and take small jigs in water that is 40′ to 60′ deep. Sole and flounder like sand bottoms from 40′ to 200′, and also take small jigs. Cabezon are found in about 50′ and cruise between sand and rock bottoms. They’ll take a mid-sized jig and fight like crazy with those huge pectoral fins.
Prawning is closed in Area 17 until April 1. Prawning has been poor in early April the past couple of years. Some people say they are moulting that time of year, while others say they come into shallow water to feed on the herring eggs. The prawning does tend to rebound later in the month.
Good fishing!
Bob Meyer
[email protected]
Silver Blue Charters
(250) 247-8807 or (250) 755-6150
www.silverbluecharters.com
Fall/Winter 2021
The last of the adult Chinook start to depart for their home rivers in early September. The first week of the month is productive at Thrasher, Entrance, and The Fingers. This is structure fishing in water depths of 80′ to 200′. Spoons in Mongoose, Cookies and Cream, Evil Eye, or Watermelon; hoochies in T-Rex, Blue Meany, or glow white; or herring or anchovy fished in green/chartreuse teasers will turn heads. Small Tomic plugs in silver/blue or glow green fished shallow on the structure is a fun method this time of year. Jigging is the ultimate way to get some action and fight on your line. Find the bait schools, and fish beside and below them. Hudson Rock and The Fingers tend to hold the last of the Nanaimo River fish before their ascension, and this fishing may hold until the third week in September.
October sometimes shows good numbers of feeder Chinook off the Grande. Try bottom bouncing in 160′ of water. November is normally the slowest month for Chinook locally, but occasionally a school will move through. December has been very good winter fishing off Thrasher and the Grande the past few years. Try bottom bouncing spoons or hoochies in 160′ to 220′ of water.
Coho are still cruising in September and October. Small spoons fished at higher speed, small plugs, and jigs will all catch coho. They like to chase, so fish the plugs at 3 kts, and jig more rapidly than for Chinook.
The pink salmon numbers start to dissipate in mid-September. To pursue the pinks, use small pink hoochies on 24″ leaders, stack four rods between 40′ and 120′, and troll slow and straight.
Lingcod and rockfish close on October 1. Generally, ling fishing is very good in September. My theory is that fish come from the deep to prowl the shallows this time of year. Prawning is good September through December—expect 100 per trap.
Good fishing!
Bob Meyer
[email protected]
Silver Blue Charters
(250) 247-8807 or (250) 755-6150
www.silverbluecharters.com
August 2021
August provides opportunity for some of the largest Chinook of the season. The mature fish are at their last feeding stations before heading up local rivers, and so Thrasher, Grande through Whalebone, Entrance/Orlebar, The Fingers, and Hudson Rock are all worthwhile places to fish. This is structure fishing, with the fish generally holding in depths of 70′ to 200′.
If you’re trolling, try baitfish lures in clear green scale; green/chartreuse Rhys Davis teasers; spoons in Cookies and Cream, Evil Eye, Kitchen Sink, Killy Magee, Watermelon, and Pink Sink; or hoochies in T-Rex, Army Truck, or fluorescent white. Small 3″ Tomic plugs work well, cruising the shallows at 60′ to 80′. Jigging can be very productive in shallower depths; try the old-school Perkins, Mac Deep, Half Jig, or L’il Nibbs. Find the bait schools and fish below and beside them. The fish usually hit on the drop, so keep the jigs moving!
Coho are found around the Fingers and outside Entrance Reef. Small spoons in Killy Magee or silver/blue work well fished on 3′ to 4′ leaders on downrigger depths of 60′ to 150′. Jigging is a fantastic way to pursue these fish, as the light tackle really shows off their acrobatics.
Pinks are around in August, and small pink hoochies fished on 24″ leaders are the best bet. Fish four lines, stacked between 40′ and 120′ for the pinks. Remember to eat pinks the same day you catch them, as they deteriorate rapidly in the fridge.
Ling and rockfish are present at Entrance and Gabriola Reefs. Try large bait, plastics, or jigs fished on the 30′ to 120′ pinnacles for best results.
Prawning is good in August. Try your normal haunts in 350′ of water for the “sea bugs.”
Good fishing!
Bob Meyer
[email protected]
Silver Blue Charters
(250) 247-8807 or (250) 755-6150
www.silverbluecharters.com
July 2021
July Chinook fishing has been centered around Entrance Island the past two years. Fishing the eastern side of Entrance Reef in 180′ to 220′ of water, in the Money Hole bottom bouncing in 200′, or outside the Yellow can on the west side in 150′ to 200′ provided some superb fishing. Thrasher, Grande through Whalebone, Neck Point and the Fingers also popped some clips. Lures of note include spoons in Cookies and Cream, Evil Eye, Mongoose, Killy MaGee, Kitchen Sink, and Pink Sink; hoochies in T-Rex, glow white, or Blue Meany; or Rhys Davis teasers in clear green scale or green chartreuse. Small Tomic plugs fished in shallow depths, 60′ to 80′, produced some amazing days. Jigging is in full swing in the shallows.
Try water depths of 40′ to 100′, find stratified bait in the upper column, and fish around and below them.
Hatchery coho can be retained, with a limit of two fin-clipped hatchery coho per-person. Try trolling small spoons at 2.5 to 3 kts at 60′ to 100′. Jigging is the ultimate method for catching these fish at Thrasher, Entrance, The Fingers, and Hudson Rock.
Lingcod and rockfish are present at Entrance and Gabriola Reef. Try medium herring rigged on sliding sinkers, large plastics, or jigs for these species. Fish the pinnacles and ledges for best results in 35′ to 100′ of water.
Prawning should commence in earnest in mid to late July, after recovering from the onslaught of the commercial fishery.
Hopefully, Chinook retention will begin on July 15, as it did last year. Be sure to check regulations for Area 17 before retaining Chinook salmon, as there has been no formal announcement as to the timing of lifting the non-retention restrictions this year.
Good fishing!
Bob Meyer
[email protected]
Silver Blue Charters
(250) 247-8807 or (250) 755-6150
www.silverbluecharters.com
June 2021
Chinook fishing is fabulous in Nanaimo waters in June! Thrasher, Grande through Whalebone, Entrance, The Fingers, and Neck Point all produce very well this month. Try fishing the structure in water depths of 130′ to 200′. I usually bottom-bounce one rod and explore depths between 120′ and 140′ with the other. Lures of choice include spoons in Cookies and Cream, Evil Eye, Killy Magee, Kitchen Sink, or fluorescent green/ white, hoochies in Blue Meany or T-Rex, or Rhys Davis teasers in clear green scale, or green/chartreuse.
There are still some schools of fish offshore this time of year as well. Try combing the 600′ to 800′ water depths from The Fingers to Thrasher. Downrigger depths run 120′ to 180′. People are jigging earlier and earlier now, and June also can be great for some light tackle fishing in shallow water.
The Fingers and Entrance are worth a look for jigging enthusiasts. Remember to check the Chinook retention rules for Area 17 before fishing! As of the time of this writing, non-retention of Chinook is the law.
Hatchery coho are retainable starting June 1st. It is difficult to say how the numbers will be this year, as there have been very few encounters with coho this spring. Typically, the coho are found at shallower depths, 80′ to 120′. Small spoons fished at 2.5 knots and faster will take this species. I had great luck combing the shallows in 60′ to 80′ of water with 3″ Tomic plugs at Entrance two years ago.
Lingcod and rockfish are found at Entrance and Gabriola Reef. Try fishing the pinnacles at 35′ to 100′ with jigs, plastics, or bait.
Prawning will probably be affected by the commercial fishery, scheduled to start in late May. If the commercials are doing their thing, I’m not.
Bob Meyer
[email protected]
Silver Blue Charters
(250) 247-8807 or (250) 755-6150
www.silverbluecharters.com
May 2021
May is the premier month for fishing Chinook in Nanaimo/Gabriola waters. Several distinct runs move through our waters, including large amounts of US-bound hatchery fish. There is a great offshore fishery to be found in water depths from 600′ to 850′, two to three miles offshore from Neck Point to Thrasher.
Typical downrigger depths are 120′ to 180′. Lures of choice include Silver Horde or Coyote spoons in Evil Eye, Killy Magee, Cookies and Cream, Kitchen Sink, Pink Sink, glow green/ white, and the new Loony Spoons in various shades of green. T-Rex, Blue Meany, or glow white are go-to colours in the hoochies. I prefer the clear green scale or green/chartreuse Rhys Davis teaser heads locally.
The past two years, there also has been a fabulous inshore fishery in 130′ to 200′ of water. Grande through Whalebone, Thrasher, Entrance, and Neck Point were producing great results using the same lures at downrigger depths of 120′ down to the bottom. As of this writing, non- retention of Chinook is being enforced in Area 17, so remember to use good release techniques with minimal handling and stress to the fish.
On May 1, lingcod and rockfish was opened for retention. Try Gabriola or Entrance Reef, and look for pinnacles in the structure to locate the ling. Generally, they can be found in 30′ to 70′ of water, but sometimes it’s necessary to go down to 150′ to 200′. Try using herring on a slider system, as the fish don’t feel the weight and you can change weights easily via the attached clip to match wind and tide conditions. This system works well for lighter plastic swimmer baits, too, as you can get them to the bottom more easily with additional weight. Jigs in green/ white will turn ling heads, also.
Last year, the commercial prawn fishery was delayed by COVID and didn’t commence until July. Normally, it starts in early May, and I pull my traps until they are finished fishing. We’ll see how it goes this year.
Good fishing!
Bob Meyer
[email protected]
Silver Blue Charters
(250) 247-8807 or (250) 755-6150
www.silverbluecharters.com
March 2021
March is typically both hot and cold for Chinook fishing. The herring spawn this month and migrate from deep water into the shallows to spawn. They then return to the deep after spawning. The fish are chasing these large schools around, and with so much food and movement, the quality of fishing can change day-to-day. I usually follow my winter protocol and bottom bounce in 160′ to 220′ of water. You have to keep an eye on your fish finder, though, as some days there are large schools of bait near the surface. Try Thrasher, Grande through Whale- bone, Entrance, and Neck Point. The herring are mature, so you can go to 4″ and 5″ spoons, if you wish. Evil Eye, Cookies and Cream, Mongoose, or silver spoons are good bets, as are the T-Rex or Blue Meany hoochies. I love trolling 4″ to 5″ Tomic plugs this time of year, as the fish fight so much better without a flasher. You may retain two Chinook per-day per-person until the end of March.
My friends go herring fishing in March. Did you go? Find good-sized bait schools and jig strings of fluorescent pink wool-tipped hooks amongst the herring. They’re great for bait or for the table, if you enjoy the taste of herring.
The last 2 weeks of April, it’s all systems go! We enjoy the huge schools of Chinook traveling through the 600′ to 800′ depths offshore from The Fingers to Thrasher. Normally, downrigger depths are 120′ to 180′. Lures of choice remain the same, but I scale down to the 3.5″ Silver Horde spoons. Even though we do experience a 40% hatchery rate of the Chinook traveling through our waters in April, it looks unlikely that DFO will allow a fin-clipped only retention fishery for Chinook in Area 17 at that time. Be sure to consult local regulations before fishing on April 1!
In recent years, prawning has seemed to fall off during the herring spawn. I still wonder if the prawn follow the herring into the shallows and eat their eggs.
Good fishing!
Bob Meyer
[email protected]
Silver Blue Charters
(250) 247-8807 or (250) 755-6150
www.silverbluecharters.com
September 2020
Fishing is good for large Chinook off Thrasher, the Grande, and Entrance through the first week of September.
The fish then normally start their migration to their home rivers. The September fishery lasts longer off Hudson Rock and the white marker off Departure Bay, where you’ll find Nanaimo River fish on their last leg home. This is structure fishing in water depths of 80′ to 200′.
Whole baits in Rhys Davis clear green scale or green/chartreuse Teaser Head, hoochies in T-Rex or Blue Meanie or spoons in Cookies and Cream or Killy Magee are choice picks. Jigging with Half Jigs, Perkins, or a Mac Deep will take fish in September, too.
October has been productive for Chinook the past few years, fishing Grande to the waterfall. The fish are generally 7 to 12 lbs, and can be caught bottom bouncing in 150′ to 200′ of water. November is mostly slow for Chinook, but in December the winter fishery starts in earnest. Thrasher, the Fingers, Entrance, and Grande to the waterfall all produce fish, generally bottom bouncing in 150′ to 230′ of water.
Coho are present until mid-October, when the last of the fish move upstream. Small Killy Magee or Evil Eye spoons fished on short 3 1⁄2′ to 4′ leaders are Coho favourites. Jigging the shallows at the Fingers, Hudson Rock, Entrance, or Thrasher is the ultimate way to catch this species.
Ling and rockfish are available for retention until October 1. Try Gabriola or Entrance Reef, fishing in depths of 30′ to 120′. Large bait, plastics, or jigs are effective for the ling.
Prawning is on the upswing and should be great October through December. Tuna cat food fished on the 350′ contour is the best bet at the Flat Tops.
Good fishing!
Bob Meyer
[email protected]
Silver Blue Charters
(250) 247-8807 or (250) 755-6150
www.silverbluecharters.com
August 2020
Chinook fishing in August means structure fishing at Thrasher, inshore from Grande through Whalebone Entrance and Entrance Reef, and The Fingers and Hudson Rock. Generally, the Chinook are in 60′ to 200′ of water. When fishing Thrasher, the general tack is from the Thrasher marker to the Red Can in 80′ to 140′. I cruise the Grande into the 80′ shallows, then swing out into 135′ to 160′ and fish down to the waterfall. When fishing the northeast side of Entrance Reef, the fish can be found from 150′ to 220′, and the fish are usually showing in 100′ to 200′ on the West side of Entrance.
The usual culprits are worth giving a troll—Evil Eye, Killy McGee, Cookies and Cream, or Kitchen Sink spoons; T-Rex or Blue Meanie hoochies; or bait in Rhys Davis clear green scale or green/ chartreuse teasers. The flip side of this trend is jigging, often in water depths of 50′ to 100′ off Entrance, The Fingers, and Hudson Rock. Find the bait school, jig it, and if you get fish, stay. If you don’t, move to the next bait school.
It’s hard to say how our coho fishing will be in August. There were relatively good numbers of coho early off The Fingers, but they seem to have dissipated in early July. Hopefully they are roaming around, as they sometimes do! Last year, we caught some gorgeous coho (up to 10 lbs) in late August and early September. Remember to only retain the fin-clipped, hatchery fish. The Fingers and Entrance Island seem to hold more coho than other areas. Try 3′ to 4′ leaders, 3″ Killy Magee or Pink Sink spoons, and amp up the speed to 2.5 to 3 knots.
Jigging for coho is also very effective— just speed up the jigging motion. Try the Pinnacles in 35′ to 85′ at Entrance or Gabriola Reef for ling and rockfish. Large bait, plastics, or jigs will entice these fish.
The commercial prawners started their season late this year, so it’s hard to say when the sport prawn fishery will be productive. It takes a month or so to recover from the onslaught, so I’m guessing by mid-August, we should be good!
Bob Meyer
[email protected]
Silver Blue Charters
(250) 247-8807 or (250) 755-6150
www.silverbluecharters.com
July 2020
Charter fishing has begun in Area 17, and we are strictly following COVID regulations, with enhanced cleaning and safety techniques in force. Please come out and fish! The fresh air, beautiful surroundings, and excitement of the catch is good for the soul!
Last year, the hot spot for Chinook in July was Entrance Island and the Reef, including the Money Hole. Most of the fish were caught deep, 160′ to 220′ on the downriggers.
It was interesting talking to everyone in the Silva Bay Derby, as a variety of baits were effective. The normal culprits—Evil Eye, Killy McGee, Cookies and Cream, and Kitchen Sink spoons, and T-Rex and Blue Meany hoochies—were mixed in with whole anchovy in various green teasers, and some people had great catches on 4″ to 6″ plugs.
Ironically, Clyde and the boys had some great days jigging in July, up on the structure, fishing bait schools at 30′ to 50′ in 100′ or less of water.
Thrasher, Grande through Whalebone, The Fingers, and Neck Point also produce well this time of year. Generally, fish bottom depths of 120′ to 200′, look for bait schools, and try to stay on them.
Most of the coho are caught off the Fingers or Entrance Island. Thrasher,
the Flat Tops, and Grande hold moderate amounts of coho. Shorten the leader lengths, shallow up the lines to 40′ to 100′, and amp up the speed for coho. Jigging off Hudson Rocks, the Fingers, or Entrance is the ultimate way to fish this species. Small jigs, fished with lots of motion on light tackle, is the way to go on coho. Small 3″ plugs fished at 2.5 to 3 knots work wonders, also. Cover the ground in 50′ to 100′ of water over the structure for best results.
Lingcod and rockfish are available at Entrance and Gabriola Reefs. Fish the pinnacles in 35′ to 85′ of water, using large bait, jigs, or plastics. The commercial prawning started late this year, so it may be that sport prawning will still be affected in July.
As always, be sure to check current regulations before commencing retention.
Good fishing!
Bob Meyer
[email protected]
Silver Blue Charters
(250) 247-8807 or (250) 755-6150
www.silverbluecharters.com
June 2020
Chinook fishing is generally fabulous in June, both on the structure and offshore. Traditionally, Father’s Day weekend is time for the wonderful Silva Bay Derby, but it has been postponed this year until August 8-9 to coincide with retention opportunities. Hopefully, COVID will cooperate with our timetable, too!
Thrasher, Grande through Whalebone, Entrance Island and Reef, The Fingers, and Neck Point all produce good results fishing in water depths of 120′ to 200′. Try bottom bouncing, or look for strat- ified bait schools on your sounder and fish accordingly. Or go out into 600′ to 800′ depths between The Fingers and Thrasher and fish at depths of 120′ to 180′ on the downriggers. Lures of choice include Rhys Davis teasers in clear green scale or green/chartreuse; spoons in Evil Eye, Killy Magee, Cookies and Cream, Kitchen Sink, Pink Sink, or Mongoose; or hoochies in T-Rex or Blue Meany.
Coho open for hatchery fin-clipped retention only on June 1, with a limit of two hatchery fish per person per day. Try shortening the leaders down to 3′ or 4′, and amp up the speed to 2.5 knots or higher. Small, 3″ Evil Eye or Killy Magee spoons work well for coho. Another approach is to troll small, 3″ plugs at 3 to 3.5 knots over shallow structure, in water depths of 70′ to 100′. This is really fun, as fishing without a flasher amplifies the fish’s fighting ability.
Ling and rockfish are present at Gabriola and Entrance Reefs. Try fishing on the bottom with large bait, jigs, or plastics in depths of 30′ to 120′. Look for pinnacles on the bottom structure, as these fish don’t generally inhabit the flats.
The commercial prawn fishery is usually still in force, at least until mid-June.
I don’t compete with the commercial prawners while they are fishing.
Good fishing!
Bob Meyer
[email protected]
Silver Blue Charters
(250) 247-8807 or (250) 755-6150
www.silverbluecharters.com
Nanaimo Fishing Report Archives
May 2020
The birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, the grass is growing, and the Chinook are traveling through in great numbers! May is my favourite time to fish locally. Early in the month, most fishing is done offshore, combing the 600′ to 800′ depths from The Fingers to Thrasher. Downrigger depths generally range from 120′ to 160′.
Lures of note include Rhys Davis teasers fished with whole or strip baits in clear green scale or green/chartreuse; spoons in Evil Eye, Killy McGee, Cookies and Cream, Kitchen Sink, Pink Sink, Mongoose, or green/white; or hoochies in T-Rex or Blue Meany. Mid-month, some of the Chinook move inshore, and Thrasher, Grande through Whalebone, Entrance, and the Fingers light up.
Look for bait schools in the 150′ to 200′ depths. Be aware that there will almost certainly be no Chinook retention during this time period. Consult local DFO regulations before fishing, and be sure to use good catch-and-release techniques on the Chinook. Coho retention doesn’t begin until June 1.
Ling and rockfish open May 1. Gabriola Reef and Entrance Reef provide great habitat for the ling. Fish the pinnacles in the structure from 30′ to 200′ deep. Try large baits, plastics, or jigs fished near the bottom.
The commercial prawn fishery starts around May 8 every year, and I don’t prawn while the commercial fishermen are working. They have a habit of entan- gling my gear, and it’s just not worth the hassle.
[email protected]
Silver Blue Charters
(250) 247-8807 or (250) 755-6150
www.silverbluecharters.com
March/April 2020
March is an erratic month for local Chinook fishing, as the herring spawn this time of year, and it’s all about the food! The herring migrate from the west coast of Vancouver Island and blend with their Salish Sea cousins to create the wildlife spectacle of the year. The Chinook follow the herring from their offshore haunts into the shallow water spawning grounds, then back out into the deep. The fishing can be fantastic if you are in the bait schools. However, there is so much movement of bait and fish that it is hard to predict their whereabouts day by day.
Try fishing from Neck Point to the Fingers, Entrance Reef, The Cannery, Whalebone to the Grande, Thrasher, or outside Porlier Pass. Generally, the fish are near the bottom in 135′ to 220′ of water, but sometimes the bait stratifies in shallower depths. Fishing offshore in water depths of 600′ to 800′ can produce fish later in the month.
Early April follows the continuum of this fishery, but in late April the huge migration of offshore Chinook begins. This is the start of the best Chinook fishing of the year! Try fishing in 600- to 800-ft depths from the Fingers to Thrasher. Downrigger depths generally run 120′ to 160′. Lures of choice include Rhys Davis teasers in clear green scale or green/ chartreuse, spoons in Evil Eye, Killy Magee, glow green/white, Cookies and Cream, Pink Sink, and Kitchen Sink, or hoochies in T-Rex or Blue Meanie.
The variety of the Chinook stocks is fascinating this time of year, as many different runs pass through our waters. Some of the fish have the gorgeous turquoise/purple backs, while others are green. The flesh tones run the gamut from red to orange to marbled to white. Some are “footballs,” while some are long and lean. All are very beautiful fish!
[email protected]
Silver Blue Charters
(250) 247-8807 or (250) 755-6150
www.silverbluecharters.com
September 2019
Chinook fishing is generally good through the first 10 days of September at Thrasher, Entrance, and Neck Point. Trolling the structure in water depths of 100 to 200 ft and adjusting to bait school depths is the key. The white marker off Departure Bay sometimes stays productive until the end of September, due to the Nanaimo River fish. Rhys Davis teasers in green/chartreuse; spoons in Evil Eye, Killy Magee, or Pink Sink; or hoochies in T-Rex or Blue Meanie are lures of choice. Jigging at Thrasher, Entrance, or Hudson Rock is generally worthwhile, too. Try water depths of 50 to 100 ft, and fish below and through the bait schools. The Blue Fox jig has caught on lately as a major producer.
September is good for coho and pinks off Entrance, The Fingers, and Thrasher. For the Coho, try small Evil Eye or Killy Magee spoons, fished on 4-ft leaders. For the pinks, go to small pink hoochies on 24-in leaders, with lots of gear in the water. The coho and pinks have usually headed for the rivers by October 1. October is chum time locally, but they aren’t very cooperative in taking a lure!
October is sometimes good at the Grande for feeder Chinook. Try bottom bouncing in 130 to 160 ft for best results. November can be the least generous month of the year locally, but 2 years ago it was quite good fishing off Thrasher. December is the kickoff month for winter Chinook fishing, which I generally pursue at Thrasher or the Grande, usually fishing deep at 200 to 235 ft. October 1 is the end of ling and rockfish retention.
Prawning is good over these months. Try tuna cat food fished on the 350-ft contour off the Flat tops. Expect 100 per trap.
Have a great fall, and good fishing!
August 2019
August provides good opportunity for Chinook up on the structure at Thrasher, Grande through Whalebone, Entrance, The Fingers, and Neck Point. Bottom depths generally run 100 to 200 ft, with downrigger depths 60 to 200 ft depending on bait concentrations. There are some large, mature fish around at this time of year! Lures of choice include Rhys Davis teasers in green/chartreuse or clear green scale, spoons in Evil Eye, Killy Magee, Kitchen Sink, Pink Sink, Cop Car, or Mongoose, or hoochies in Blue Meanie or T-Rex. This also is a good time to run 3- or 4-in plugs. Silver/Blue, Purple Haze, or Glow White are head-turning colours.
Jigging provides the most fun, as you are active and directly involved in the strike. Find bait schools with fish present and try to stay on top of them. Perkins, Gomame, Sassin’, or Half Jigs in small sizes provide good action. Generally, when jigging, bottom depths are around 60 to 100 ft, with bait concentrations stratified throughout the column.
The coho should be hitting the 6- to 7-lb range in August. Trolling 3-in spoons on 4-ft leaders, and increasing boat speed to 2.5 to 2.8 knots will entice these fish. Thrasher, outside Entrance Reef, and The Fingers should hold good quantities of coho. Trolling small plugs or jigging will bring out the best in these fish, as they then don’t have the flasher to impede their fight.
The pinks should be in good supply this August. Small pink hoochies fished on 24-in leaders is the surest method to catch pinks, although they will take most spoons and hoochies. Stack four lines, and troll at 60 to 120 ft for this species.
Ling and rockfish are present at Entrance and Gabriola Reef. Try large bait, plastics, or jigs at 30 to 100 ft for these tasty fish.
Prawning has fully recovered in August; expect approximately 100 prawns per trap. Good old tuna cat food fished at 350 ft off the Flat Tops is a very consistent fishery.
Good fishing!
July 2019
July is going to be “Woo-hoo!” month in Nanaimo and Gabriola waters. The Chinook retention ban ends July 15, and The Silva Bay Fishing Derby is scheduled for July 20 and 21! Tickets for the event are being sold at Harbour Chandler, Gone Fishin’, Silva Bay Marina, and Page’s. Tickets cost $30 per angler, or $60 per family. There will be approximately $15,000 worth of prizes distributed for many categories of fish, including released Chinook. All proceeds go to the Nanaimo River Hatchery or other fishing-related projects. Please come and join the fun! Call 250-247-8807 for information.
Chinook fishing in July is structure fishing at Thrasher, Entrance, Neck Point, and the Fingers. Generally, the fish are in 100- to 200-ft water depths, with downrigger depths in accordance with bait stratifications. Thrasher Marker to Green Can, the outside eastern edge of Entrance Reef, the Money Hole, and inshore haunts at the Fingers and Neck Point are all productive in July.
Trolling lures of choice include Rhys Davis teasers in clear green scale or green/chartreuse, spoons in Evil Eye, Killy MaGee, Kitchen Sink, Pink Sink, or Watermelon, or hoochies in T-Rex or Blue Meanie.
Trolling small 3-in Tomic plugs in the shallows created some great fishing for me last year. Purple Haze, silver/blue, and pearl were good colour choices. Jigging off the Fingers and Hudson Rock is the light tackle fun zone in water depths around 100 ft. Try Half Jigs, Gomames, and ‘Sassins for light tackle fun!
Hopefully, our coho numbers will be similar to last year’s! Once again, it is hatchery fish only, with a two per person per day limit. When fishing coho, shorten up the leaders to 4 ft and amp up the speed to 3 knots. Three-inch Evil Eye or Killy Magee spoons are my favourite for coho. Small Tomic plugs also work well, and show off their fighting abilities. Jigging is the ultimate way to go, and the coho sometimes share similar waters as the Chinook.
Ling and rockfish are present at Entrance and Gabriola Reef. Try large bait, plastics, or jigs at 35 to 125 ft.
Prawning should have recovered from the commercial onslaught in mid-July and be productive again at the Flat Tops.
June 2019
The annual Silva Bay fishing derby, scheduled for June, has been moved to the weekend of July 20-21 to accommodate the retention of Chinook. Tickets will be available at Silva Bay Marina, Pages, The Harbour Chandler, and Gone Fishin’. All proceeds go to the Nanaimo River Hatchery. Tickets are $30 per person, and there will be approximately $15,000 worth of prizes awarded. Please come and join the fun! Chinook fishing is fabulous in June at Thrasher, Grande to Waterfall, Entrance, and the Fingers and Neck Point. Most of the fish are up on the structure, in water depths of 100 to 200 ft. Downrigger depths depend on bait stratification, but generally are between 120 and 200 ft. Rhys Davis teasers in Clear Green Scale or green/chartreuse, spoons in Evil Eye, Kitchen Sink, Pink Sink, Mongoose, Watermelon, or silver/blue, or hoochies in Blue Meanie or T-Rex will turn heads.
Coho open this month and can be found out in the depths in 300 to 500 ft of water, or up on the structure at the Fingers, Hudson Rock, Entrance, and Thrasher. Shorten leaders down to 4 ft and ramp up the speed to 2.5 to 3 knots. Three-inch spoons in Evil Eye, Killy MaGee, silver/blue, or Pink Sink are favourites for Coho. Try trolling 3″ Tomic plugs in Purple Haze or green glow, or jigging with a 1- to 2-oz Williamson Gomame, or P-Line ‘Sassin in 50 to 100 ft of water for maximum light tackle enjoyment with coho. Be sure to consult local DFO regulations!
Ling and rockfish can be targeted at Entrance and Gabriola Reef. Try large bait, jigs, or plastics fished on the bottom in 35 to 80 ft of water. Look for pinnacles and shelves in the structure.
The commercial prawners are out this month, and it will take a while for the stocks to recover to commence sportfishing.
May 2019
Well, it’s a brand-new ball game, one of catch and release of Chinook in Area 17 until July 15th. The majority of the clients on my boat say they are there for the experience, and not necessarily the take-home catch. We’re going to find out how widespread this sentiment is very soon!
Hopefully by combining some catch and release, some ling and rockfish, some prawns, and some wildlife viewing we can provide a quality experience for anglers locally! Be sure to release the fish gently. A knotless net is a must, and it’s even better to simply flick the hook with a pair of needle nose pliers if the fish is small enough. The less contact, the better. May provides the best Chinook fishing of the year in Gabriola and Nanaimo waters. Fishing in water depths of 600 to 800 ft from outside the Fingers to outside Thrasher is literally the feeding and migration highway for many different runs of Chinook. Downrigger depths generally run 120 to 160 ft, but will, of course, correlate with bait concentrations and light conditions. Lures of choice include Rhys Davis teasers with whole or strip baits in clear green scale or green/chartreuse, spoons in Evil Eye, Killy Magee, Mongoose, Kitchen Sink, Pink Sink, Watermelon, Cop Car, or Lemon Lime, or hoochies in T-Rex or Blue Meany. In late May, there is some inshore structure fishing to be had at Thrasher, Grande, and Neck Point.
Ling and rockfish open May 1, with a one per-person, per-day limit of each. Try Gabriola or Entrance Reef, fishing humps and ledges, in the 35- to 85-ft zone. Large baits, plastics, or jigs will entice these species.
Commercial prawning starts around May 8, so get your “sea bugs” before then if you want to avoid gear entanglements with the commercial traps.
March 2019
March and early April usually provide very erratic fishing for Chinook, since the herring spawn in March. The local herring mix with the west coast stocks and move into the kelp to spawn, then move into deep water after spawning. So, if you find large bait schools with the Chinook feeding, naturally the fishing is great! But you can go back to the same place the next day and find everything has moved. Generally, I use my winter method of trolling the 160- to 220-foot water depths from Grande to Waterfall, Thrasher to Green Can, outside Porlier, and off the Fingers and Neck Point. Good baits include Rhys Davis teasers in green/chartreuse or clear green scale, spoons in Evil Eye or Kitchen Sink, or hoochies in Blue Meany or T-Rex. Tomic plugs work well now, too, as long as the water remains clear. The herring are mature at this time of year, so sometimes larger spoons and bait will be more effective.
Mid-April is the start of the best fishing of the year! Try fishing 2 to 3 miles offshore from the Fingers to Thrasher, where water depths are 600 to 800 feet. Downrigger depths are generally 120 to 180 feet, and the lures remain the same. Easter has become a traditional fishing weekend, with limits being the rule and lots of action. Try getting the boat out early this year, and take advantage of this fantastic fishery!
It astounds to me that with all the supposed concern over Chinook populations, and the local Orcas that feed upon them, that DFO still allows the commercial harvest of 20% of the herring stocks. This should be an absolute no brainer to abolish this fishery. Everything in the whole Gulf—birds, mammals, and fish—depend on this food supply. The size of the Chinook salmon is in perpetual decline. Give them 20% more to eat, and see what effect it has on their survival and health!
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Sept-Dec 2018
Chinook fishing is good off Thrasher until mid-September, when the mature fish head towards the rivers. Try fishing the contour between Thrasher marker and the Green Can in water depths of 80 to 200 feet. Whole or strip baits in Clear Green Scale Rhys Davis teasers, Evil Eye or Pink Sink spoons, or the T-Rex hoochie are worthwhile baits. There is the occasional Tyee swimming around at this time, so I hope you get lucky! The marker off Departure Bay, Hudson Rock, and Neck Point holds Chinook until around October 1st. These can be trolled or jigged depending on wind and bait conditions.
The coho don’t normally stage until mid-October, so fishing Thrasher, the Flat Tops, Entrance, and the Fingers can be productive later into the fall. I’ve been catching lots of coho on 3-inch Tomic plugs, and they sure fight well on this tackle! Jigging small half jigs, Perkins, or Mac Deeps shows off their jumping qualities well, too! More typically, though, they are caught on Green Glow flashers and 3-inch Evil Eye spoons fished at 2.5 knots.
Hopefully there will be a sport sockeye fishery off the Fraser in September this year! It’s a bit of a run to the Sand Heads, but worth it if the socks are abundant. Ling and rockfish close October 1.
Prawning is great off the Flat Tops. Try tuna cat food fished on the 350-ft contour, and expect 100 per trap.
Good fishing!
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August 2018
August provides good opportunity for Chinook at Thrasher, Grande through Whalebone, Entrance Island and Reef, and the Fingers and Neck Point. Most fishing is done on the structure in water depths of 80 to 200 feet. Lures of choice include whole anchovy or herring in Clear Green Scale or Green/Chartreuse Rhys Davis teasers, spoons in Evil Eye, Killy Magee, Pink Sink, Kitchen Sink, or Cop Car, or hoochies in T-Rex or Blue Meanie. There are some nice mature fish around this month, and if you are lucky, they can weigh 25 to 30 pounds.
The Coho are abundant this year, which is a lovely thing! They can be found on the structure, or be out in water depths of 300 to 400 feet off Entrance Reef, The Fingers, and Thrasher. I like the Evil Eye or Killy Magee 3-inch spoons on 4-foot leaders, fished at 2.5 knots. Downrigger depths are generally 65 to 85 feet, but they sometimes locate Chinook in depths of 140 to 180 feet. There is no retention of wild coho this year, but you may retain two hatchery coho (adipose fin removed) per person per day. Jigging with Mac Deeps, Perkins, and L’il Nibs off Hudson Rock or Thrasher is an excellent way to catch both coho and Chinook. Find the bait schools, and fish beside and below them.
It will be an off year for the pinks locally. There may be, however, a chance for Fraser sockeye if the run size shows good abundance. Fishing off the Sand Heads for sockeye is a laugh riot. When you go through a school and get 3 or 4 fish on simultaneously, it’s a pretty good time. Small pink hoochies fished on 24-inch leaders behind Hot Spot Red or Green flashers at slow speed turn on the socks. Put lots of gear in the water, including dummy flashers to keep them interested. Downrigger depths generally range 45 to 85 feet. Be sure to check for the DFO opening for this species before fishing for them, as the past two years there have not been enough sockeye to support a sport fishery off the Fraser.
Ling and rockfish are available at Entrance and Gabriola Reefs. Try large bait, plastics, or jigs in 35 to 85 feet of water for these species.
Prawning has recovered from the commercial fishery at the Flat Tops by August. Try tuna cat food fished on the 350- to 400-foot contour for best results.
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July 2018
July is great for structure fishing for Chinook, generally in water depths of 100 to 250 feet. Last July, the fishing was concentrated around Entrance Reef and Thrasher Rock. There are two spots to concentrate your effort at Entrance Reef. One can be found by following the north contour in water depths of 180 to 220 feet, with downrigger depths at 180 to 250 feet. The other is fishing the ‘Money Hole’, which is a deep contour in the actual reef structure, and bottom bouncing it at 200 to 220 feet. The edges come up quickly here, and in tide and wind it’s a tough place to fish. Thrasher holds fish coming down the eastern edge to ‘the Hook’, then turning towards the green can and following the 120- to 160-foot contour. Grande to Waterfall and Neck Point to Icarus also fish well on occasion in July. Generally, the fish holding there are in the 120- to 160-foot depths this time of year. Try Rhys Davis teasers in clear green scale or green/chartreuse, spoons in Evil Eye, Killy MaGee, Pink Sink, Kitchen Sink, or Cop Car, or hoochies in T-Rex or Blue Meany. Also, jigging season begins in earnest around Clarke Rock in July.
We have been catching and releasing lots of coho in May, so let’s hope they hold here for the summer! Try 3-inch spoons on 4-foot leaders, juice up the speed, and fish 60 to 120 feet on the downriggers. One bonus two years ago was that when you turned into deeper water after fishing the edge at Entrance Reef, there were lots of coho in the 350- to 400-foot water depths. Catch your Chinook on the way down, fish out in the deep, catch your coho on the way back. Perfect! Remember to consult your local tidal regulations concerning Coho retention before keeping this species.
Ling and rockfish are available at Entrance and Gabriola Reefs. Try bottom bouncing in 35 to 70 feet of water with large plastics, bait, or jigs. Remember to release any ling over 15 pounds, as they are the large egg-bearing females.
Prawning should start to recover at the end of July. It takes a while to come back after the commercial onslaught in May and June.
Good fishing!
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June 2018
The fabulous Silva Bay Salmon Derby will be held Father’s Day weekend, June 16th and 17th, at Silva Bay Marina, Gabriola Island. It runs dawn until 9 p.m. on Saturday, dawn until noon Sunday. The prize ceremony will commence at 1 p.m. on Sunday, and everyone gets a free burger. Tickets are $30, and can be purchased at Silva Bay Marina, Page’s Marina, North Road Sports, Harbour Chandler, and Gone Fishin’. There are approximately $18,000 in prizes to be distributed including a 9.9 Yamaha outboard donated by Parker Marine for largest Chinook, and a Lowrance structure finder donated by Harbour Chandler as a draw prize. This is our 30th year of the derby, the special ‘Tyee Edition’, and will include some cool, additional prizes! All proceeds from the derby go to the Nanaimo River Enhancement Program and other fishing related projects. Give me a call at 250-247-8807 if you have any questions concerning the derby.
Chinook fishing is good this month at Thrasher, Grande to Whalebone, Entrance Reef, The Fingers, Neck Point, and offshore in 600 to 800 feet of water. Most fishing is done in 130 to 200 feet of water depth on the structure, with downrigger depths running 120 to 200 feet. Rhys Davis teasers in clear green scale or green/chartreuse, spoons in Evil Eye, Killy MaGee, Kitchen Sink, Pink Sink, Silver/Blue, watermelon, or Irish Creme, or hoochies in T-Rex or Blue Meany are lures of choice. Most of the Chinook are in the 8- to 15-pound range, but it has taken a Tyee over 30 pounds to win the derby in four of the past nine years.
Coho should be available for retention on June 1st. Be sure to read the local regulations for this species before retaining them. Coho prefer the small 3 inch spoons, on 4 foot leaders, trolled at speeds 2.5 knots and above.
Ling and rockfish are available at Gabriola and Entrance Reefs. Bottom bounce the 35- to 70-foot depths with large bait, plastics, or jigs. Please remember to release any ling above 15 pounds, as they are the spawning females, sometimes capable of producing 600,000 eggs.
The commercial prawners are out this month, so I don’t fish prawn until their season has finished, and the stocks recover.
Good fishing!
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May 2018
May is generally the best month for Chinook fishing in Gabriola/Nanaimo waters. Several runs of fish intersect here on their way to US and BC rivers. Most of the fishing is done two to three miles offshore in 600 to 800 feet of water depth. These fish are distributed from outside the Fingers to Thrasher Rock. Some of the Chinook do feed inshore on the 150- to 200-foot contour from Grande through Whalebone, at Thrasher, and Neck Point. Downrigger depths range 120 to 180 feet, depending on bait concentrations. Lures of choice include whole anchovy or herring in clear green scale or green/chartreuse Rhys Davis teasers; spoons in Evil Eye, Killy MaGee, Pink Sink, Kitchen Sink, Cop Car, or Silver/Blue; or hoochies in T-Rex or Blue Meany. Most of these fish are in the 8- to 15-pound range, but there is the occasional big fish in the mix. Because the stocks are so varied this time of year, flesh tones can range from red to orange to marbled to white.
My friends have been DNA testing coho, at the request of DFO. Apparently, the coho have over wintered in the Gulf, like they used to do in times of high abundance. This is great news if we actually have a strong coho fishery this year! Be sure to consult the local regulations concerning timing and retention of coho before fishing for them!
Ling and rockfish open May 1st. Try the structure at Gabriola Reef or Entrance Reef fishing on the bottom in 35 to 70 feet in depth. Large plastics, bait or jigs will entice these fish.
Commercial prawning season is going full bore in May at the Flat Tops. I do not compete with the commercial prawn fishermen during this time period.
Good fishing!
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Spring 2018
2018 looks to hold good fishing opportunities for Chinook, coho, pink, and maybe even some Fraser River sockeye! Chinook stocks look to be stable, with the Cowichan River resurging to 15,000 Chinook in 2017! There were exceptional quantities of juvenile coho in the Gulf in 2017. And the Fraser River should be having an outstanding run of sockeye.
2017 produced the best winter fishing in Gabriola waters in at least a decade. Normal half-day catch rates consisted of four or five undersized released Chinook, and three to four legal Chinook weighing eight to 16 pounds. Thrasher Rock was the center of attention, with the reef structure running east being the hot spot. Depths ranged 220 to 250 feet on the downriggers, in 200 to 230 feet of water. Herring were thick in these waters, again pointing to the obvious fact that the fish hold in the food supply. Why not end the scourge of commercially fishing the herring on the east coast of Vancouver Island waters, and giving everything a huge boost in available food? Lures of interest during this time were whole herring or anchovy in clear green scale or green/chartreuse Rhys Davis teasers, spoons in Evil Eye, Killy MaGee, Silver/ Blue, Kitchen Sink, and Mongoose, or hoochies in Blue Meany or T-Rex. Tomic plugs work very well this time of year in the clear water conditions. November was showing an abundance of undersized Chinook in the Grande area, and hopefully this will translate into another great winter fishery!
The spring run of offshore Chinook came in early and hot last year! We fished 3 miles outside Silva Bay on Easter, and put 8 very nice Chinook onboard in three hours. This fishery continued through early June, with limits being the rule. This is traditionally our best time to fish here, with many runs intersecting in their migration to the various rivers in BC and the US. Typically, fishing is done in 600 to 800 feet of water depth, three to four miles offshore from the Fingers to Thrasher Rock. Downrigger depths run 120 to 180 feet, and the previously mentioned lures work well in the springtime, too. The fish generally run eight to 15 pounds, but the occasional Tyee is mixed in for the exceptionally lucky angler! Our Silva Bay Salmon Derby is in its 30th year! Come and join the fun on Father’s Day weekend, June 16th and 17th! Tickets are $30, and available at Silva Bay Marina, Pages, Harbour Chandler and Gone Fishin’. There are approximately $18,000 worth of prizes being distributed, and all proceeds are donated to the Nanaimo River Hatchery and other fishing projects.
Good fishing!
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Sept/Dec 2017
September provides good opportunity for large Chinook salmon in the first two weeks of the month at Thrasher Rock. These are usually fished from the Thrasher marker down the 120- to 140-foot contour to the red can towards Valdez. Neck Point and the white marker off Departure Bay holds fish right through the month, and Entrance/Orlebar can produce some large fish this time of year, also. Lures of choice include bait fished in the clear green scale or green/chartreuse Rhys Davis teaser, spoons in Evil Eye, Pink Sink, Kitchen Sink, Cop Car or watermelon, or hoochies in T-Rex or Blue Meany.
The Coho are around in good numbers this year off the Fingers. They tend to get more widely distributed in September, and fishing off the Flat Tops and Thrasher can be good. Small Bob Marley or Evil Eye spoons fished on 3- to 4-foot leaders at 2.5 to 3 knots will stimulate the coho.
Pinks should be in great abundance this month. Traditional gear is small pink hoochies fished on 2-foot leaders, but we catch lots incidentally on traditional Chinook and coho gear.
Ling fishing is good this month, as the fish come up to feed in 30 to 50 feet of water. Try Entrance or Gabriola Reef with large bait, plastics or jigs for the ling.
Prawning has recovered by now, so you can expect 100 per trap off the Flat Tops. Inexpensive tuna cat food fished on the 350-foot contour is the best method.
Good fishing!
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August 2017
Chinook fishing was at its finest in August last year off Thrasher Rock. Consistent catches of 15- to 25-pound fish were common to those who fished there, topped by some Tyee mid month. Fishing in 120 to 160 feet of water, downrigger depths ran 100 to 160 feet. Entrance Island showed some large fish also, in the “Money Hole”, and outside Entrance Reef. These fish were generally found near the bottom in 200 to 220 feet of water. Lures of note include: Rhys Davis teasers in green/chartreuse, spoons in Evil Eye, Killy MaGee, Watermelon, Cop Car, Kitchen Sink, or hoochies in T-Rex or Blue Meany. Grande to Whalebone, and the Fingers and Neck Point are also prime producers of fish in August.
The coho seem to be concentrating more off the Fingers than off the Grande and Thrasher again this year. They also seem to be running deeper, 120 to 180 feet. Three-inch versions of the Evil Eye or Killy MaGee are favourites for the coho, which should be fished on shorter leaders and at faster speeds than the Chinook. The coho in early July are weighing in around the five-pound mark.
It should be a big year for pink salmon locally. Try small pink hoochies fished on two foot leaders at 60 to 120 feet to target pinks. Generally, we catch lots incidentally while fishing for Chinook, as they are numerous and not picky feeders.
Ling fishing is worthwhile off Gabriola and Entrance Reef. Try large bait, plastics of jigs in 30 to 70 feet of water for the ling.
Prawning is back to normal in August, with good numbers being picked up off the Flat Tops. Tuna cat food fished on the 350-foot contour is the ticket.
Good fishing!
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January 2017
2017 looks to provide good opportunity for chinook, coho, and pink in the Gulf. Chinook numbers should stay stable, with streams like the Cowichan improving in abundance. Coho numbers were way up in 2016, and hopefully will continue to increase. Fraser pinks are in a high-cycle year, and sockeye returns should improve this year to the Fraser.
There were some significant seasonal variations in the chinook fishery adjacent to Gabriola and Nanaimo waters in 2016. The winter chinook fishery never materialized, as there was a complete absence of fish and bait. My personal opinion is that the local herring stocks have been severely diminished by the intense mixed stock commercial fisheries, and that this fishery should be abolished. The winter fishing was very good around Hornby Island, and off the Vancouver waterfront. Vancouver guides were doing up to four trips a week, and compared it to the “good old days” of the 1980s. Anchovy even made a resurgence to Vancouver waters, and provided another food source for the chinook. Normal winter haunts locally include Grande to Whalebone, Thrasher, Porlier, and Neck Point/Fingers. Winter fishing is accomplished by bottom bouncing in 180 to 250 feet of water, with bait in clear green scale Rhys Davis teasers, Killy MaGee or Evil Eye spoons, or the T-Rex hoochie.
Good fishing!
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