Find out what’s working and what’s not when fishing in the Port Hardy area on Northern Vancouver Island. Tips, best practices, places and the go-to lures are just a sample of what you’ll find in our fishing report.
Port Hardy Marine Weather Forecast
Port Hardy Fishing Report
Northeast Vancouver Island, Port Hardy Fishing Regulations Area 12
BC tidal areas 11 and 111 – Cape Caution, Bramham Point: Recreational fishing limits, openings and closures
September – October Port Hardy Fishing Report
The 2024 summer fishing season is in the books, and it will go down as the best salmon fishing we have seen in over 30 years. What a season for an amazing quantity of Chinook and coho. Fish after fish, and in June and July, they were everywhere. Literally every location had fish. This bodes extremely well for the fall and should make a great fishery for coho right into November at river mouths and even in-river all over the North Island. The fall fishery up here is a ton of fun with lots of opportunity to get out and catch some fish with family and friends. Chum in the Broughtons can be a blast right into late October and early November—great fish for smoking.
The winter Chinook fishery on the North Island definitely has its moments, especially at Duval and Daphne Points. The best winter Chinook fishing up here is often in Quatsino Sound, so be sure to check that area report out as well. The North Island also has fantastic freshwater opportunities with some great trout and steelhead action that usually picks up around January. Remember to check local regulations, as some areas are closed on local rivers.
Halibut come in shallow near river mouths as pinks and coho spawn. Off the mouth of the Keogh River near the Port Hardy airport is one of the best spots for good-sized halibut in the fall as they eat dead salmon flowing out of the river. This is nice and close to town as well.
Enjoy the fall and winter—fishing season doesn’t end, it just changes.
David Summers Jr.
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Port Hardy, BC
613-899-3207
August 2024 Port Hardy Fishing Report
Holy smokes, are we lucky to have such a great Chinook fishery this year. Even the old-timers are saying it is the best they have ever seen. Chinook abundance in all our areas is off the charts good! It’s such a great thing to see out here on the coast. Coho abundance is through the roof as well—sometimes they are such a nuisance, it’s hard to get through them to the Chinook. I’m used to hearing that on the west coast, but not the inside!
Port Hardy’s hot spots have been Duval Point and Castle Rock. Tide changes are by far the best bite times, and we’re getting into double-digit Chinook on the slack tides. The average size Chinook has been in the 17- to 18-lb range, with some bigger ones mixed in. Mark the bait and find the fish—I always say it, and it may sound cliché, but it’s very true. Use your electronics to your advantage. A good fishfinder and transducer is worth every penny— you will really improve catch rates this way.
Port McNeill fishing on the backside of Malcolm Island has been great almost all season. There are lots of needlefish in this area, so try small spoons or anchovy closer to bottom. If you are wanting to find somewhere else and get away from any crowds, check out Flower Island and Baronet Pass. They are great spots with amazing scenery and some great fishing. It’s usually nice and calm for a deck BBQ as well.
Lingcod are abundant, and halibut fishing has been steady. It’s not been the best season for the flat ones, but not the worst either. Put in your time, and you will get them. Salmon bellies and herring with a touch of octopus are often the ticket.
Be safe out there and enjoy our amazing coastline and fishery!
David Summers Jr.
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Port Hardy, BC
613-899-3207
July 2024 Port Hardy Fishing Report
As with most places on the coast, fishing has been great here in Port Hardy and Port McNeill this season. It almost doesn’t even matter where you go; it seems there are fish to be caught at some point during the day. Whether it is by the Masterman Islands, Castle Rock, Duval Point out of Port Hardy, Black Bluffs, Donegal, or Flower Island out of Port McNeill, seemingly every day there is a good bite at one of these spots. The key is just to time it so you are there when it happens, often around tide change. No matter where I am fishing, between 50′ and 120′ are the most common depths to fish in the area—remember to throw your line just below the bait. The size of fish this season has been above average for sure, which is a good sign there is a good amount of bait for the fish to feed on and grow on our coast.
Halibut and bottom fish so far have been absolutely great, especially for chicken-sized halibut (perfect eaters). It seems even from the International Pacific Halibut Commission surveys that there is an abundance of the chicken- age class at the current moment, and the results this season support those findings. Herring or octopus on a spreader bar is the best for drifting, and when anchored, salmon bellies of course are the best for scenting in the flatties and even lingcod. Remember that fishing lingcod close to bottom is key, but not too close—those jigs are expensive and can easily get snagged and non-retrievable!
Have a great time out there, and be safe!
David Summers Jr.
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Port Hardy, BC
613-899-3207
Port Hardy Fishing Report June 2024
One of the most underrated fisheries on the north island is in May. Chinook can be plentiful; it seems one day will be lights out, then the next a little slower, but when you hit the good days, you will think it is midseason! I find these early season fish have more spunk than later in the year as well. So, while they are smaller on average than later in the year, they more than make up for it in pound-for-pound toughness.
There is a big area from Wells Passage to Knight Inlet where Chinook retention is allowed, and May-June fishing here can be very good. James Point in Wells Passage is an early spot that is well-known to hold some really nice Chinook, with some great crabbing and prawning nearby as well! The backside of Malcolm can really be heavy with Chinook some days in May, as well as Ledge Point. Be sure to check local-area Chinook regulations as some areas are retention and some are not. Telegraph Cove opens up in May, so be sure to cruise in to have a great lunch and beer on the deck of the local pub, a great stop for the off tides.
Port Hardy’s usual go-to spots this time of the year are Duval Point and around the Masterman Islands. If the wind is blowing hard, the western shore of Stories Beach holds some nice low teenage Chinook in May, with the odd nicer fish in the mix. Early season usually is a time when spoons and hoochies really work well. Also be sure to check Chinook bellies if you are able to retain them, as squid should be starting to move into the area around this time of the year.
Halibut should be in shallower than normal this time of the year and lingcod is now open, so make sure to target these tasty (yet ugly) fish. They are plentiful and one of the more abundant and aggressive target species.
I hope everyone has a great summer of fishing. The forecast looks dynamite for Chinook and coho this year!
David Summers Jr.
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Port Hardy, BC
613-899-3207
Port Hardy Fishing Report May 2024
One of the more underrated fisheries on the north island is in May. Chinook can be plentiful; it seems one day will be lights out, then the next a little slower, but when you hit the good days, you will think it is midseason! I find these early season fish have more spunk than later in the year as well. So, while they are smaller on average than later in the year, they more than make up for it in pound-for-pound toughness.
There is a big area from Wells Passage to Knight Inlet where Chinook retention is allowed, and May-June fishing here can be very good. James Point in Wells Passage is an early spot that is well-known to hold some really nice Chinook, with some great crabbing and prawning nearby as well! The backside of Malcolm can really be heavy with Chinook some days in May, as well as Ledge Point. Be sure to check local-area Chinook regulations as some areas are retention and some are not. Telegraph Cove opens up in May, so be sure to cruise in to have a great lunch and beer on the deck of the local pub, a great stop for the off tides.
Port Hardy’s usual go-to spots this time of the year are Duval Point and around the Masterman Islands. If the wind is blowing hard, the western shore of Stories Beach holds some nice low teenage Chinook in May, with the odd nicer fish in the mix. Early season usually is a time when spoons and hoochies really work well. Also be sure to check Chinook bellies if you are able to retain them, as squid should be starting to move into the area around this time of the year.
Halibut should be in shallower than normal this time of the year and lingcod is now open, so make sure to target these tasty (yet ugly) fish. They are plentiful and one of the more abundant and aggressive target species.
I hope everyone has a great summer of fishing. The forecast looks dynamite for Chinook and coho this year!
David Summers Jr.
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Port Hardy, BC
613-899-3207
March/April 2024 Port Hardy & Northeast Vancouver Island Fishing Report
The winter Chinook have been around in good numbers on the North Island this spring. Ledge Point in Port McNeill has been holding some, and there have been some right in front of Port McNeill itself. In Port Hardy, Daphne Point has had some spots to catch, and to hide from the southeast winds we have been getting. In addition there have been fish on the north side of Storey’s Beach when you can make it around the corner in the winds. This time of year I find throwing spoons down works best, plus you don’t have to always be checking your bait if you’re into some short bites or rockfish, which can happen in some of the local winter Chinook spots.
Halibut fishing has started off with some good numbers, especially chickens, around. It seems like over the past season or two the number of smaller fish has skyrocketed, which is hopefully a good sign for the future. A swimbait with a chunk of octopus or salmon belly works great, and make sure you give an area the proper amount of time; it won’t always be fish after fish. Patience is a virtue when it comes to getting into the flatties, especially in our area with the strong tides.
DFO outlooks for 2024 show a very strong salmon return for all species, with the highest ocean survival rates for most species in decades. So be sure to head out this summer to some of your favourite spots with your family and friends and enjoy the great outdoors on the North Island. One of the only things keeping our small communities going is outdoors people supporting local businesses while doing what they love: fishing.
David Summers Jr.
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Port Hardy, BC
613-899-3207
September 2023
The 2023 fishing season is coming to a close, and I can honestly say it was the best Chinook season in my lifetime. We had absolutely amazing fishing all through this region. June, July, and August were fantastic. There were smaller fish in June and July, which seems to be the case nowadays, but August had some really big fish rolling through. On top of that, it was truly an amazing coho year. They were sometimes a nuisance, but the grade of coho was great and there were some amazing battles! Remember that larger Chinooks are our future big stock fish, and as we know they are not as common as we all wish they were, so releasing them allows them to pass on those genetics.
As always, Port Hardy’s June and July saw steady action during tide changes at all the mainstay locations (Duval, Castle Rock, and Daphne). Fish were still biting during the off tides, but lighter and much more sporadic. Duval Point in August was good, and if you put your time in working both slack tides during the day, it wasn’t too difficult to get limits of Chinook, some coho, and a ton of the pinks that showed up that month. September brings an amazing opportunity for the kids to target coho and pinks on light tackle from shore, as well as in the chuck. Try casting a pink BuzzBomb and a Gibbs Croc from shore and you’ll do well. If you are in a boat, troll shallow at first and last light and during slack tides, and you’ll have a productive outing.
As we come into the fall, remember that North Island rivers are catch-and-release only. The North Island also has some fantastic freshwater opportunities with some great trout and steelhead action. Remember to check local regulations, as some river areas are closed to all fishing. Give me a ring if you need any local advice.
David Summers Jr.
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Port Hardy, BC
613-899-3207
August 2023
This season has been marked by consistent fishing on the North Island as a whole, and Port McNeill and Port Hardy hot spots are no exception. The Chinook fishing has been amazing, with 20- to 30-Chinook days at Duval Point and the backside of Malcolm Island being common. It is truly incredible!
In addition to Duval, Castle Rock has been a hot spot. Chinook have averaged in the 10- to 16-lb range, perfect for the BBQ. Bites have been tide-dependent, with slack tide bites being the best by far, but even off tide has been great. As cliché as it sounds, fishing depths really do depend on where the bait is located. Have that sounder on and mark the bait—I always find the best depth is just under the bait ball. Favourite depths before finding the bait at Castle Rock and Duval are 69′ and 81′.
Port McNeill fishing on the backside of Malcolm Island has been some of the best in decades. It’s been “fish on” after “fish on,” and even multiple doubles per day with some big fish mixed in with the teenagers. If you do catch a 35-lb+ Chinook, always consider releasing it so future generations get a chance at a hog.
Bottom fishing and halibut fishing has been great around smaller tides in both areas. For halibut, off the Hardy airport shoreline will really heat up come end of August/September as coho head up the Keogh River. Taylor Bank is one of the most consistent halibut fishing spots in the area. Look at the chart for sand and gravel humps/flats. You’ll find the halibut if you put in the time!
David Summers Jr.
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Port Hardy, BC
613-899-3207
July 2023
The word to decribe fishing on the north island this season is “consistent.” There are definite periods where patience is a virtue, but patience pays off, and when they feel like feeding it is literally fish after fish, for both Port McNeill and Port Hardy! The hot spots have been out of Port Hardy, Masterman Islands, and Castle Rock. Bait has been the ticket so far, for the most part—it seems there are lots of herring balls around. The backside of Malcolm (as per usual) has been the best out of Port McNeill area. No matter where I am fishing, depths between 50′ and 120′ are the go-to. Spot the bait and throw it just below it! The average size of Chinook so far has been perfect for eating, in the 13- to 18-lb range. Larger ones should start to show up shortly.
Halibut and bottom fish so far have been around average. Herring or octopus on a spreader bar is certainly the best for drifting. Remember, when fishing lingcod having your bait/lure close to bottom is key. Drop it down every 15 seconds or so and check for bottom— you are unlikely to get any bites if you are more than 10′ off bottom. However, unless you want to really help the local tackle companies, make sure you aren’t staying on the bottom—losing gear in the rocky areas is common and gets expensive quickly.
When up on the north island, be sure to check out the many other things to do, like visiting San Josef Bay, Grant Bay, or the Telegraph Cove whale museum. While fishing is often the main attraction, there is so much more to do up here!
David Summers Jr.
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Port Hardy, BC
613-899-3207
June 2023
This season began with some consistent fishing on the North Island as a whole—nothing crazy, but if you were in the right place at the right time, the fish were there waiting
to bite.
Chinook fishing has been tidal dependent, and depending on location,
certain tides are better. For example, Duval Point on a flood always seems to produce, with Castle Rock and Daphne Point being more ebb locations. Barnett Pass in Port McNeill is great on floods, and Flower Island is ideal on ebbs. Tides are fairly strong in our area, so they push the bait into kelp beds and bays. Don’t be scared to try new spots, as there are miles and miles of the coast that haven’t been fished before. There are sure to be a few hidden-gem fishing spots waiting for you.
Port McNeill fishing on the backside of Malcolm Island is consistent. There are lots of needlefish in this area, so try small AP Tackle spoons or an anchovy in a teaser head closer to bottom. I recently heard of a few good bites at Lady Ellen as well. These two places are often consistent producers of Chinook in the area. If you do catch a 30-lb+ Chinook, always consider releasing it so future generations get a chance at a “hog.” Remember—right rod to the rocks while trolling these areas, as certain days can get a little crowded!
When on your way in from fishing don’t hesitate to stop and check out the historic Telegraph Cove. You’ll find great food at their restaurant, with a beautiful view from the deck area and the whale museum that is always extremely interesting. You can go there every single year and always learn something new.
Be safe out there, and never hesitate to ask for advice or help!
David Summers Jr.
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Port Hardy, BC
613-899-3207
May 2023
The true season has begun! May marks the beginning of the season here on the north island, with some relatively strong Chinook fishing for the very tasty 10- to 18-pounders. There are good numbers of Chinook headed down mainly to US rivers, and to say these fish are feisty would be an understatement.
Port Hardy’s usual go-to hot spots this time of the year are Duval Point and around the Masterman Islands. This early in the year, I tend to use more hardware than bait, finding it imitates the herring in the area really well. When you catch, be sure to check your fish’s stomach contents (if it’s legal to retain them). Squid should be starting to move into the area in the next month or so, and if you find them inside, switch to hoochies. Frankly, hoochies are never a bad idea anyway.
Port McNeill on the backside of Malcolm Island and Ledge Point area hold good numbers of fish this time of the year. Often, the bite shows up in spurts so “stick, stay, and make it pay.”
Throwing some grubs down for halibut and bottom fish is always a good idea, especially this time of year. The hali grounds should be fresh and full.
Of course, always check your local regulations for limits, as they can change for both the general area and sub-areas. Try a new place for a few halibut drifts—250′ to 350′ plateaus on the charts with deeper water all around are your best bet. Generally speaking, most plateaus like that around the north island will almost certainly hold some halibut.
David Summers Jr.
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Port Hardy, BC
613-899-3207
March/April 2023
Springtime is here, and usually that means a change in weather on the North Island. That weather change also makes it a lot easier to get out and do some fishing! Salmon fishing in the spring can be quite productive for Chinooks in the 8- to 12-lb range, and as we move later some migratory fish do show up around Port Hardy and Port McNeill. Bait is pretty small this time of year, so make sure any spoons or bait you use are tiny to match. As the season goes on, it seems that the bait grows, and following suit to match them is key to higher levels of success. These springtime Chinook are often around the same depths as in summertime (70′ to 120′) at most of the usual haunts, but (as everyone knows) where the bait is, the fish will be, so be sure to watch the fish finder closely and adjust depths accordingly.
Halibut fishing is well underway, and we are under 2022 regulations until April 1 when the new regulations will take over, so always be sure to check recent DFO fishery notices. I find that earlier in the year, the fish seem to be a little deeper, so hit those deep sand and gravel banks—especially ones with a lot of structure around them.
With more line out, be sure to hit the spots at slack tide to ensure you aren’t drifting too quickly to stay nice and tight to bottom!
Hope everyone is as excited for the upcoming season as I am. I’m sure 2023 will be a great season for all of us on the water, and let’s hope returns continue to be strong on the North Island.
David Summers Jr.
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Port Hardy, BC
613-899-3207
September 2022
The 2022 summer fishing season has come to a close. On the North Island, it will go down as one of the best coho seasons on record. Chinook fishing was mediocre, with some nice-sized fish mixed in, but it was hard to get to them through the crazy amount of coho this season. This bodes extremely well for the fall, and it should make for a great fishery right into November for coho at river mouths, and even in rivers all over the North Island. The pink returns are also very strong, so that’s some good fishing on light tackle—great for kids!
As always, June and July in Port Hardy brought steady action during tide changes at all the mainstay locations (Duval, Castle Rock, Daphne). Fish were still biting during the off tides, but much more sporadically, and with lighter bites as well. Castle Point in August was good, and if you put in your time and caught both slack tides during the day, it wasn’t too difficult to get a few real nice Chinook, with a ton of coho and some pinks.
The fall is upon us, and the winter Chinook fishery on the North Island definitely has its moments, especially at Duval and Daphne Points. The best winter Chinook fishing up here is often in Quatsino Sound, so be sure to check out that area report as well. The North Island also has fantastic freshwater opportunities, with some great trout and steelhead action that usually picks up around January. Remember to check local regulations, as some areas are closed on local rivers.
David Summers Jr.
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Port Hardy, BC
613-899-3207
August 2022
This season has been steady, with maybe slightly more “streaky” fishing than we are used to up here—one day it will be lights out, the next a bit of a grind. Even throughout the day it will be on fire for an hour then dead for a few hours. It’s not what we are used to, but you must adapt and learn to plan accordingly. Chinook on the coast were smaller early this year, with lots in the 8- to 12-lb range, and our area was no different. As we got further into the summer, however, the size returned closer to normal.
Port Hardy’s hottest spot has been Duval Point, hands down, with Castle Rock producing the best sizes. There has been virtually no squid in our area this year, which is not normal by any means, but the lack of squid has been made up for by a lot of needlefish. We still miss the squid, though, as it can really bring in a lot of fish.
Port McNeill fishing on the backside of Malcolm Island has been fairly consistent all season. There are lots of needlefish in this area, so try small AP spoons or anchovy closer to bottom. If the bite dies off, head to Baronet Passage and try for a big one there— it’s just a beautiful tach as well. Remember to try and release any Chinook over 35 lbs if you can. Those genes are getting less and less common, so practice good catch-and-release techniques.
Bottom fishing and halibut fishing have been great around smaller tides in both areas. For halibut, off the Hardy airport shoreline will really heat up come end of August/September as coho head up the Keogh River. If you’re close to Baronet Pass, give the many pinnacles in the mouth of Knight Inlet a try for lingcod, and the sand flats in 280′ to 320′ for halibut. (Just be wary of the Rockfish Conservation Area.)
Be safe, have fun, and remember, tight spins catch the most fins!
David Summers Jr.
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Port Hardy, BC
613-899-3207
July 2022
Fishing has been pretty darned good for us here in Port Hardy! When the bite is on, it is ON! There definitely are periods where patience is key, but isn’t that the case for fishing anywhere?! Up north, Masterman Islands and Castle Rock have been the hot spots, with Duval being very good during tide changes. So far, hardware has been the ticket, with anchovies doing better down near Port McNeill. The backside of Malcolm, as per usual, has been the best out of the Port McNeill area. No matter where I am fishing, depths between 50′ and 120′ are the most productive this time of year; remember to set your lure depth just below the depth of where you are seeing bait on your fish finder. The typical size this season has been above average for sure, which is a great reward, as the bite has been slightly harder to come by.
Herring or octopus on a spreader bar is the best for drifting, and when anchored, salmon bellies (of course) are the best for scenting in the “flatties.” Pro tip: Try adding some Pro-Cure Butt Juice to really get them going! When fishing lingcod, remember that getting close to bottom is key. You may lose jigs, but the only real way to get them to be aggressive is to be in their face.
Be sure always to check local regulations, as different areas have much different Chinook and even lingcod rules on the North Island. The last couple seasons have been tough on many in the industry, so anytime you can buy local, please be sure to try.
David Summers Jr.
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Port Hardy, BC
613-899-3207
June 2022
Fishing has begun with a small bang this year, with Chinook showing up in the 12- to 18-lb range. Angling in the areas that allow retention in the mainland inlets has been surprisingly fruitful as well. Plus, those areas offer excellent crab and prawn opportunities—a day trip heaven.
Port Hardy’s hot spots have been Duval Point and Castle Rock, with the Jeannette Islands also being productive. The average Chinook bite time has been around an hour on either side of slack tide, with the odd bite in between. Depth depends on where the bait is located, but mid-water column is common so far this year. Since water temperatures are up, I recommend trying slightly deeper. Watch your sounder, mark the bait ball, and fish just under it.
Favourite depths before finding the bait at Castle Rock and Duval are 69′ and 81′. Bait always seems to outfish lures in this area, but a go-to spoon or hoochie can also get the fish going. If you are heading out of Port McNeill, you can never go wrong with the backside of Malcolm from Black Bluffs to Donegal Head. There’s great Chinook fishing, and you just may get a halibut trolling the bottom, too.
Bottom fishing and halibut fishing has been terrific on smaller tide exchanges in both areas. For halibut, fish off the Port Hardy airport shoreline—it will really heat up come the summer and into the fall. Taylor Bank and George’s Bank are some of the most consistent halibut fishing spots in the area, too. If you are close to Baronet Pass, give the mouth of Knight Inlet a try for lingcod as well as halibut in the many pinnacles in the area.
David Summers Jr.
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Port Hardy, BC
613-899-3207
May 2022
When May comes around, you know it is the start of the main fishing season on the north island. Migratory Chinook are starting to show up in good numbers, and to say these fish are full of energy would be selling them short.
Always check local retention regulations, as they do vary in the management sub-areas up here during this time of the year. There is a big area from Wells Passage to Knight Inlet that is open for retention, and May-June fishing there can be outstanding! James Point in
Wells Passage and into Hoeya Bay are two early spots that are known to hold some really nice Chinook, with terrific crabbing and prawning nearby.
Port Hardy’s usual favourite spots this time of the year are Duval Point and around the Masterman Islands. Early season usually is a time when spoons and hoochies work well, especially with this year’s bait shortage. Also be sure to check your retention Chinook’s bellies, as squid should be moving into the area. If you find squid—switch up to hoochies.
Port McNeill fishing on the backside of Malcolm Island and the Ledge Point area also hold fish in May. This is really a “find the bait and keep on it” fishery. Stay over the bait and it will pay off in the long term, especially when the current starts to slow.
Bottom fishing and halibut fishing really gets going in May. Fishing grubs with a chunk of salmon belly while drifting sand and gravel flats is the ticket. Ideal depths are in the 250′ to 350′ range, and patience is always your best friend when it comes to halibut. They will come; many banks in the area hold halibut—they just need a little enticement to bite.
Be safe, have fun, and remember, tight spins catch the most fins!
David Summers Jr.
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Port Hardy, BC
613-899-3207
March/April 2022
Spring fishing on the north island has been consistently good, and anglers have taken some nice winter Chinook. The fishing has been better in Quatsino Sound and the Port Alice area than out of Port McNeill and Port Hardy. There are still some fish to be had on the inside as well, but it’s just not as protected from the harsh winds we can see this time of the year. Bait this time of the year is pretty small, so make sure any spoons or bait you use are tiny to match. These springtime Chinook are often found slightly deeper than summer Chinook, but find the bait and you’ll find the fish, so be sure to watch the fish finder closely and adjust depths accordingly.
Halibut fishing has been consistent with some good-sized fish around, and you can find many chickens at the inside strait spots—especially before they have been hit by any longliners, the fishing can be actually amazing on from the backside of Malcolm Island and to the north! The last few years it seems the halibut start out the season a little deeper (250’+) and as the season progresses, they come up to the shallower areas. This time of year, I find octopus works great as well as herring. As we get into the summer, salmon bellies work better for drifting as more hali show up in the area.
This season is shaping up to have some good returns for Chinook and coho across the coast, so make sure to get out there and support your local fishing economy!
David Summers Jr.
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Port Hardy, BC
613-899-3207
Fall/Winter 2021
The 2021 summer fishing season has wrapped up. Here on the North Island it was fairly obvious the fish were a few weeks late as fishing didn’t really pick up till mid-June. July was fantastic, and August was consistent with some excellent-grade fish as well. We always find the biggest fish bite bait before any hardware. I really encourage all of you to release any fish over 35–40 lbs. These are our future big stock fish, and as we know they are not as common as we wish they were, so releasing them allows them to pass on those genetics.
Port Hardy saw steady action in June and July during tide changes at all the mainstay locations (Duval, Castle Rock,Daphne). Fish were still biting during the off tides but much more sporadically, with lighter bites as well. Duval Point in August was actually fairly good, and if you put your time in, caught both slack tides, and capitalized on your opportunities, it wasn’t too difficult to get limits of Chinook, with some coho and a ton of pinks. The pink run was crazy with lots of light tackle action available right in town from local docks—a must for kids.
The fall is upon us and the winter Chinook fishery on the north island definitely has its moments, especially at Duval and Daphne Points. The best winter Chinook fishing up here is often in Quatsino Sound, so be sure to check out that area report as well. The north island also has some fantastic freshwater opportunities with some great steelhead trout action. Remember to check local regulations, as some areas are closed on local rivers.
Be safe, have fun, and remember to enjoy every moment in the great outdoors.
David Summers Jr.
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Port Hardy, BC
613-899-3207
Aug 2021
This season has been marked by consistently good fishing on the north island as a whole, and the Port McNeill and Port Hardy hotspots are no exception. The fish were late this year by about two weeks, quite different than the past couple years where they were early. This means good August fishing! The weather has been a little rough most days, with some calm ones sprinkled in, which has made getting fish a little tougher. But overall numbers have been very good.
Chinook fishing is open for retention now, but be sure to always check the local regulations.
Port Hardy’s hotspots have been Duval Point and Castle Rock, with Jeannette Light going off here and there as well.
The average size Chinook have been in the 15- to 18-lb range, with some bigger ones mixed in. As cliché as it sounds, depths really do depend on where the bait is located. Have that sounder on and mark the bait; I always find the best depth is just under the bait ball. Start out at 69′ at Castle Rock and 81′ at Duval, and find the bait ball from there. Personally, I’ve always been a bait guy, so anchovy with glow green and watermelon heads are go-to’s.
Port McNeill fishing on the backside of Malcolm Island has been above average all season. There are lots of needlefish in this area, so try small AP spoons or anchovy closer to bottom. If the bite dies off there, head to Flower Island or “The Wall” (South side of Parson’s Island). These two places often produce the largest Chinook of the year in the area. If you do catch a 35-lb (or bigger) Chinook, always consider releasing it so future generations get a chance at a hog. Remember, right rod to the rocks while trolling these areas, as certain days can get a little crowded!
Bottom fishing and halibut fishing have been great around smaller tides in both areas. Fish the slack to make sure getting to bottom is easy and you won’t get hung up!
Be safe, and have fun!
David Summers Jr.
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Port Hardy, BC
613-899-3207
July 2021
Fishing has been steady here in Port Hardy—a little slower than what we are used to for this time of the year, but we’ve still seen plenty of fish hit the dock. When the bite is on, it is ON! There are definitely periods where patience is key, but isn’t that the case anywhere?! Up north, Masterman Islands and Castle Rock have been the hot spots, with Duval being very good during tide changes.
So far, hardware has been the ticket, with anchovies doing better down near the Port McNeill hotspots. The backside of Malcolm, as usual, has been the best spot in the Port McNeill area. No matter where you drop a line, between 50′ and 120′ are the most common depths to fish in the area, and remember to throw your line just below the bait. The typical size this season has been above average for sure, which is nice, as the bites have been slightly harder to come by.
Fishing for halibut and bottom fish has been nothing short of spectacular. Herring or octopus on a spreader bar is the best for drifting. When anchored, salmon bellies are of course the best for scenting in the flatties with some Pro-Cure Butt Juice to really get them going! When you’re going after lingcod, remember that fishing close to bottom is key. Drop it down every 15 seconds or so and check for bottom. You are unlikely to get any bites if you’re more than 20′ off bottom, but unless you want to really
help out the local tackle companies, bring it off bottom. Losing gear in the rocky areas is fairly common and can get expensive quickly.
Be sure to check local regulations, as different areas have much different Chinook and even lingcod regulations up on the north island. The last couple seasons have been tough on many in the industry, so anytime you can support local businesses, please do.
David Summers Jr.
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Port Hardy, BC
613-899-3207
June 2021
This season has begun with decent and consistent fishing on the north island—nothing nuts, but solid to say the least. Size is still not what you’ll expect come July and August, but good Chinook in 12- to 20-lb range have been the norm thus far. No Tyees yet, but the season is still young!
Port Hardy’s hot spots have been Duval Point and Castle Rock, with Jeannette Light going off here and there as well. The best time for catching Chinook has been around an hour on either side of slack tide, with the odd bite in between. As cliché as it sounds, depths really do depend on where the bait is located. Have that sounder on and mark the bait. I always find the best depth to be just under the bait ball, but the best depths to search for the bait ball at Castle Rock and Duval are 69′ and 81′. Bait seems always to outfish lures in this area, but a go-to spoon or hoochie can also get the fish going.
In Port McNeill, fishing on the backside of Malcolm Island has been fairly consistent. There are lots of needlefish in this area, so try small AP spoons or anchovy closer to bottom, almost in the mud. You might even get a halibut doing that, too. If the bite dies off there, head to Flower Island. These two places often produce the largest Chinook in the area. If you do catch a 30-lb+ Chinook, always consider releasing it so future generations get a chance at a hog.
Bottom fishing and halibut fishing has been great around smaller tides in both areas. For halibut, off the Hardy airport shoreline will really heat up come the summer and into the fall. Taylor Bank and George’s Bank are some of the most consistent halibut fishing spots in the area. If close to Baronet Pass, give the mouth of Knight Inlet a try for lingcod as well as halibut in the many pinnacles in the area, but steer clear of the Rockfish Conservation Area.
David Summers Jr.
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Port Hardy, BC
613-899-3207
May 2021
Our season really gets going in May up here on the north island. The first schools of migratory Chinook start showing up, with the odd small coho mixed in as well. The Chinook in May are rarely of the giant variety, but they put up the most spirited battles of the season. Most are in the 10- to 18-lb range, with the odd one eclipsing 20 lbs. Often you will go out for a day fishing and it can be lights out, only to find the next day it is fairly quiet, as it seems the fish do not replenish themselves quite as often as later in the summer. Be sure to check your Chinook regulations, as there are a good number of closed-to-retention areas during this time of the year.
Port Hardy’s usual go-to spots in May are Duval Point and around the Masterman Islands. This early in the year, I tend to use more hardware than bait, finding it does slightly better at imitating the herring that are in the area at the moment. Also be sure to check Chinook bellies if you are able to retain them, as squid should be starting to move into the area in the next month or so. If squid are around, hoochies are never a bad idea. Match your depth to the bait, but try 69′ to 81′ on the rigger.
Around Port McNeill, the backside of Malcolm Island and Ledge Point area hold fish this time of the year. Patience is your friend at these spots, as the bite can go from zero to mayhem fairly quickly depending on the tide. As in most areas, the tide change is when the bite really gets going on most days. I don’t find a lot of squid in these areas near Port McNeill; sand lance and even herring are the more common baitfish.
Halibut and lingcod fishing really get going in May as the ocean finally calms down a bit and tides get a bit smaller. Swimbaits are great for both, as is your traditional herring with a spreader bar. Sand humps in the 250′ to 300′ range will hold them, especially if you mark baitfish on bottom. Stick, stay, and make it pay!
Be safe, have fun, and remember, tight spins catch the most fins!
David Summers Jr.
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Port Hardy, BC
613-899-3207
April 2021
Spring fishing on the north island has its ups and downs, but if you put in your time you will be rewarded. You’ll also have better luck in Quatsino Sound than out of Port McNeill and Port Hardy. There are still some fish to be had on the inside as well, around Duval, Ledge, or Daphne. Bait this time of the year is pretty small, so make sure any spoons or bait you use are tiny to match. These springtime Chinook are often around the same depths as in summer (70′ to 120′) at most of the usual haunts. But as everyone knows, the fish will be where the bait is, so be sure to watch the fish finder closely and adjust depths accordingly.
Halibut fishing is well underway. The last few years, it seems as though the halibut start out the season a little deeper (250′ or more), and come up to the shallower areas as the season progresses. While that is not written in stone and doesn’t happen every year, it is definitely a trend to keep an eye on—you may want to start the year off at some of your deeper honey holes. With more line out, be sure to hit the spots at slack tide to ensure you aren’t drifting too quickly, so you can stay nice and tight to bottom!
I hope everyone is as excited for the upcoming season as I am. Be sure to get out there, as once again it looks to be a Canadian-only fishing season. That could mean fewer boats and more fish.
Be safe, and have fun!
David Summers Jr.
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Port Hardy, BC
613-899-3207
September 2020
The 2020 summer fishing season is coming to a close, and on the north island it was fairly consistent in June and July. August was a little slower than expected, but as usual, that’s when the big boys were around.
As always, Port Hardy saw steady action in June and July during tide changes at all the mainstay locations (Duval, Castle Rock, and Daphne). Fish were still biting during the off tides, but much more sporadically and with lighter bites. Duval Point in August was actually fairly good. If you put your time in, caught both slack tides during the day, and capitalized on your opportunities, it wasn’t too hard to get limits of Chinook, with some coho and a ton of pinks.
Despite not being an odd year, the pink run was crazy, with lots of light tackle action available right in town from local docks—a must for kids.
The fall is upon us, and the winter Chinook fishery on the north island definitely has its moments, especially at Duval Point and Daphne Point. The best winter Chinook fishing up here is often in Quatsino Sound, so be sure to check out that area report as well. The north island is also famous for freshwater opportunities for trout and steelhead, but remember to always check the regulations to ensure that where you are fishing is open and find out what restrictions may be in place. I absolutely love the north island during the fall
months, and if you get a chance to come visit in the fall, throw out a cast or two in any of our hundreds of lakes and rivers. I’m sure something will be hungry!
We always find the biggest fish bite bait before any hardware. I really encourage all of you to release any fish over 35 lbs. These are our future big stock fish, and as we know they are not as common as they once were.
Be safe, and have fun!
David Summers Jr.
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Port Hardy, BC
613-899-3207
August 2020
This season has been marked by fairly consistent fishing on the north island as a whole, and Port McNeill and Port Hardy have been fair to good on the vast majority of days. The weather hasn’t been the most forgiving, almost as if it’s making up for the flat calm conditions of 2019, but when it does lay down, the fish are there to be caught, and in good numbers.
Port Hardy’s hot spots have been Duval Point and Castle Rock, with Jeannette Light going off here and there as well. Bites have been tide-dependent, with slack tide bites being the best by far, but even on off tides you’ll see a bite every 30 minutes or so. Look at the depth sounder to see where the bait is, and set your downriggers accordingly. I always find the best depth is just under the bait ball—69′ and 81′ are my go-to depths. Personally, I’ve always been a bait guy, so anchovy with glow green and UV purple heads are the ticket. There have been a lot of squid around this year, so a white cuttlefish or octopus hoochie would work wonders as well.
Port McNeill fishing on the backside of Malcolm Island has been good all season. There are lots of needlefish in this area, so try small AP spoons or anchovy closer to bottom. If the bite dies off there, head to the storied Baronet Pass or Flower Island. These two places often produce the largest Chinook of the year in the area. If you do catch a Chinook of 35 lbs or larger, always consider releasing it so future generations get a chance at a hog.
Bottom fishing and halibut fishing has been great around smaller tides in both areas. For halibut, off the Hardy airport shoreline will really heat up come the end of August and September, as coho head up the Keogh River. If you are close to Baronet Pass, give the mouth of Knight Inlet a try for lingcod in the many pinnacles in the area (be wary of the Rockfish Conservation Area), and try the sand flats in 280′ to 320′ for halibut.
Be safe, have fun, and remember, tight spins catch the most fins!
Be safe, and have fun!
David Summers Jr.
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Port Hardy, BC
613-899-3207
July 2020
This season began with consistent fishing on the north island, and Port McNeill and Port Hardy hot spots are no exception.
Chinook fishing has started off fairly well, with many in the 10- to 16-lb range and a few 20 lbs and bigger. While most fish in June are in the 12- to 20-lb range with the odd hog and early-season 40-lb (or bigger) fish released or brought to the dock.
Port Hardy’s hot spots have been Duval Point and Castle Rock, with Jeannette Light going off here and there as well. Chinook have been in the 12- to 15-lb range. Bites have been tide-dependent, with slack tide bites being the best by far, but even on off-tides you’ll see a bite every 30 minutes or so. It’s a cliche, but depths really do depend on where the bait is located. Have that sounder on and mark the bait—I always find the best depth is just under the baitball.
My favourite depths (before finding the bait) at Castle Rock and Duval are 69 and 81. Personally, I’ve always been a bait guy, and my go-to is anchovy with glow green and watermelon heads. Port McNeill fishing on the backside of Malcolm Island has been fairly consistent. There are lots of needlefish in this area, so try small AP spoons or anchovies closer to bottom. If the bite dies off there, head to Flower Island. These two places often produce the largest Chinook of the year in the area. If you do catch a Chinook over 30 lbs, always consider releasing it so future generations get a chance at a hog. Remember, right rod to the rocks while trolling these areas, as certain days can get a little crowded!
Bottom fishing and halibut fishing have been great around smaller tides in both areas. For halibut, off the Hardy airport shoreline will really heat up come the summer. When it’s not hit by longliners, Taylor Bank is one of the most consistent halibut fishing spots in the area. If you’re close to Baronet Pass, give the mouth of Knight Inlet a try for lingcod in the many pinnacles in the area (be wary of the Rockfish Conservation Area), and the sand flats in 280′ to 320′ for halibut.
David Summers Jr.
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Port Hardy, BC
613-899-3207
June 2020
This season began with consistent fishing on the north island, and Port McNeill and Port Hardy hot spots are no exception.
Chinook fishing has started off fairly well, with many in the 10- to 16-lb range and a few 20 lbs and bigger. While most fish in June are in the 12- to 20-lb range with the odd hog and early-season 40-lb (or bigger) fish released or brought to the dock.
Port Hardy’s hot spots have been Duval Point and Castle Rock, with Jeannette Light going off here and there as well. Chinook have been in the 12- to 15-lb range. Bites have been tide-dependent, with slack tide bites being the best by far, but even on off-tides you’ll see a bite every 30 minutes or so. It’s a cliche, but depths really do depend on where the bait is located. Have that sounder on and mark the bait—I always find the best depth is just under the bait ball.
My favourite depths (before finding the bait) at Castle Rock and Duval are 69 and 81. Personally, I’ve always been a bait guy, and my go-to is anchovy with glow green and watermelon heads.
Port McNeill fishing on the backside of Malcolm Island has been fairly consistent. There are lots of needlefish in this area, so try small AP spoons or anchovies closer to bottom. If the bite dies off there, head to Flower Island. These two places often produce the largest Chinook of the year in the area. If you do catch a Chinook over 30 lbs, always consider releasing it so future generations get a chance at a hog. Remember, right rod to the rocks while trolling these areas, as certain days can get a little crowded!
Bottom fishing and halibut fishing have been great around smaller tides in both areas. For halibut, off the Hardy airport shoreline will really heat up come the summer. When it’s not hit by longliners, Taylor Bank is one of the most consistent halibut fishing spots in the area. If you’re close to Baronet Pass, give the mouth of Knight Inlet a try for lingcod in the many pinnacles in the area (be wary of the Rockfish Conservation Area), and the sand flats in 280′ to 320′ for halibut.
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Port Hardy, BC
613-899-3207
Port Hardy Fishing Report Archives
August 2019
This season has been marked by consistent fishing on the north island as a whole, and the Port McNeill and Port Hardy hotspots are no exception. To make things even better, this summer has been one of the calmest I’ve ever seen, with little wind minus the odd NW blow in the afternoon that Johnstone and Queen Charlotte Strait are well known for.
Chinook fishing is now open for retention, but be sure to always check the local regulations. This has to be one of the best Chinook fisheries we have seen in many years, right from the beginning of June, which makes DFO’s regulations even more nonsensical.
Port Hardy’s hotspots have been Duval Point as well as Castle Rock, with Jeannette Light going off here and there as well. Average-sized Chinook have been in the 15- to 18-lb range, with the largest I’ve heard so far being in the mid 40s. Bites have been tide dependent, with slack tide bites being the best by far, but even on off tides you’d see a bite every 30 minutes or so. As cliché as it sounds, depths really do depend on where the bait is located. Have that sounder on and mark the bait—I always find the best depth to be just under the bait ball. My favourite depths for finding the bait at Castle Rock and Duval are 69 and 81 ft. Personally, I’ve always been a bait guy, so anchovy with glow green and watermelon heads are my go-to. There has been a lot of squid around this year, though, so a white cuttlefish or octopus hoochie would work wonders as well.
Port McNeill fishing on the backside of Malcolm Island has been above average all season. There are lots of needlefish in this area, so try small AP spoons or anchovy closer to bottom. If the bite dies off there, head to the storied Baronet Pass or ÒThe WallÓ (south side of Parson’s Island). These two places often produce the largest Chinook of the year in the area. If you do catch a 35-lb (or heavier) Chinook, always consider releasing it so future generations get a chance at a hog. Remember Òright rod to the rocksÓ while trolling these areas, as certain days can get a little crowded!
Bottom fishing and halibut fishing has been great around smaller tides in both areas. For halibut, off the Hardy airport shoreline will really heat up come end of August/September as coho head up the Keogh River. Taylor Bank, when not hit by longliners, is one of the most consistent halibut fishing spots in the area. If close to Baronet Pass, give the mouth of Knight Inlet a try for lingcod in the many pinnacles in the area (be wary of the Rockfish Conservation Area), and the sand flats in 280 to 320 ft for halibut.
Be safe, have fun, and remember, tight spins catch the most fins!
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Port Hardy, BC
613-899-3207
September 2019
The 2019 summer fishing season has wrapped up, and on the North Island it was fairly consistent with the odd peak and valley. June and July were gangbusters out of both Port Hardy and Port McNeill. August was full of larger fish, but quantity was not as high as earlier in the season. June and July teenage Chinook were plentiful on the backside of Malcolm Island. August slowed slightly, but the average size increased dramatically to make up for it—perfect timing as the slot size was eliminated. Needlefish were common, and I know spoons are becoming quite popular, but I firmly believe bait always gets the largest Chinook. For me, in both Hardy and McNeill anchovy outfished spoon/hoochie 90% of the time.
The fall is upon us, and the winter Chinook fishery on the north island can be quite good, especially at Duval Point and Daphne Point. The north island is also famous for freshwater opportunities for trout and steelhead, but remember to always check the regulations to ensure where you are fishing is open and what restrictions may be in place. I absolutely love the north island during the autumn months, and if you get a chance to come visit in the fall, throw out a cast or two in any of our hundreds of lakes and rivers. I’m sure something will be hungry!
Our election is not far off, and I hope when you head to the ballot box you remember who will support sport fishing going forward.
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
Port Hardy, BC
613-899-3207
May 2019
I truly love my own backyard, as I get the best of both fisheries. The arrival of spring brings calmer seas and better weather, although we seem to get an abundance of liquid sunshine.
By mid- to late May, the Chinook will start moving through and keep increasing in size and numbers until the end of August and early September. Try Duval Point with a cut plug herring on the slack, then run down to Daphne Point (sometimes called Daphne Island) to finish things off. You may also want to try the new Gibbs Herring Aid flasher and spoon combo or teaser head combo. I swear by it.
This year the Chinook salmon fishing will be catch and release until July 15, but there are still many opportunities for prawning and crabbing and bottom fishing that will provide you with an extremely enjoyable day on the water. The average size spring is around 17 to 20 lbs, with the odd 22- to 24-lb Chinook popping up. Try trolling around 45 to 100 ft, but pay attention to your GPS—there are several spots where the bottom just loves to sneak up on you, and it will claim your cannonballs. This will definitely impact your fishing time in a bad way, boys and girls.
Port Hardy and Port McNeill halibut fishing started in early March, but you have to have some real local knowledge to hunt these flat ones. While May halibut fishing in Port Hardy offers many different shoals with tons of structure to fish, give a try to the sand flats near the airport. These spots hold 20- to 50-lb halibut, and a couple of popular methods for these areas are bottom trolling with large spoons or spreader bar with whole herring, or Gibbs Delta Mudrakers and salmon bellies.
This year’s halibut limit will be one halibut of 125 cm, or one above 90 cm and one below 90 cm. We hope you all enjoy the new size increase, and you can still catch one a day and have two in possession. Please ensure you record your halibut lengths and answer questions from our fish observers. The data they collect is very important to our retention limits. So tips up, tight lines, and keep on fishin’!
Hook’n Them Up Fishing Charters
(855) 805-3474 (FISH) toll-free
(250) 230-0579 mobile
www.vanislefishing.com
March 2019
The long-anticipated arrival of spring brings calmer seas and better weather. It’s been a very cold February, with lots of below zero nights and snow. But now it’s time to go fishing.
By mid-to-late May the Chinook will start moving through and keep increasing in size and numbers until the end of August and early September. Try Duval Point with a cut plug herring on the slack tide. You may also want to try a Kingfisher Cookies and Cream spoon and a Hot Spot Black Mamba flasher. The #5 Gibbs Delta Gold Clendon Stewart Spoon is a personal favorite as well. When nothing else will work, give it a try; we have had great success.
This year salmon fishing has been decent, with the average size spring coming in around 12 to 20 lbs and the odd 21- to 23-lb Chinook brought to the dock. Try trolling around 45 to 100 ft and pay attention to your GPS—there are several spots the bottom just loves to sneak up on you and defiantly claim your cannonballs. Also, while fishing in Port Hardy please visit our good friends at Redden Net; they will certainly try to take care of all your tackle needs.
Port Hardy and Port McNeill halibut fishing require some real local knowledge to hunt and bag a few of these flat ones. Popular methods for these areas are bottom trolling with large spoons or spreader bar with 10-inch power grub, whole herring, or Delta Mudrakers & salmon bellies. Please ensure you record your halibut lengths and answer questions from our fish observers. The data they collect is very important to our retention limits.
Hook’n Them Up Fishing Charters
(855) 805-3474 (FISH) toll-free
(250) 230-0579 mobile
www.vanislefishing.com
Sept-Dec 2018
As the season starts to wind down in September, there are plenty of opportunities to nail a few shiny ones. Duval Point and Daphne Point are never bad places to try on the early morning slack/flood tide and are some of my favorite Port Hardy places to fish. But a trip to the Gordon Islands or the Deserters Group can also pay off in a big way. Try between 80 and 120 ft for a big Chinook, and 35 to 80 ft for pinks and coho. Try the Green Splatter Glow anchovy teaser head and O’Ki Tackle Phantom series flasher; cut plug herring is also a popular method. Please beware that you will be moving far slower than other anglers while fishing this method.
For Port Hardy halibut fishing in September, head for some dependable places such as the sand flats near the airport, Taylor Bank, or Ripple Passage. These spots offer many different shoals with tons of structure to fish. Study your GPS and watch for the slack tides. But to be successful, you need some real local knowledge to hunt these flat ones.
These spots hold 25- to 65-lb halibut, and a couple of popular methods for these areas are bottom-trolling with large spoons or whole herring, or jigging with Delta Mudrakers and salmon bellies from Gibbs. But this pro guide prefers to anchor for his halibut, and I use a mix of bait and jigging.
Please ensure you record your halibut lengths, and answer questions from our fish observers. Your catch counts.
Hook’n Them Up Fishing Charters
(855) 805-3474 (FISH) toll-free
(250) 230-0579 mobile
www.vanislefishing.com
August 2018
August provides some excellent chances for nailing the big one you’ve been looking for. The Deserter island group is a great Chinook producer; try fishing between 60 and 80 ft. Try the GJFSF Green Haze teaser head or # 4 Swiftsure spoon with Lemon Lime Chartreuse Moon Jelly Flasher from Gibbs. Also try Duval Point, or Daffine on a low slack. Your best combos will be a #3.5 Homeland Security spoon and Monkey Puke flasher, or Midnight Mist flasher and Glo Flow Green and Red Titan spoon by Oki Tackle. Both sizes of anchovies will work here. I prefer the 5′ to 5′ anchovy, but I will leave it up to you. Try the Yellow Green Mist Glow teaser head. I have also had success on the small Atomic Plugs and micro flashers–old school sometimes works best. This year’s salmon fishing so far has been pretty good–the average spring around is 20 to 25 lbs, with the odd 35- to 39-lb Chinook being brought to the dock.
Port Hardy halibut fishing has remained good so far. Try the sand flats at the Airport and Taylor Bank; both offer many shoals with tons of structure to fish. Also look for large shoals or pinnacles on your GPS; these spots should hold baitfish the halibut feed off. These spots hold 20- to 65-lb halibut. Popular methods are bottom trolling with large spoons or whole herring, or with Delta Mudrakers and salmon bellies. I prefer to anchor for halibut. Please ensure you record your halibut lengths and answer questions from our fish observers. Also please remember how important it is to identify your catch properly when you are asked by the observer–giving the wrong answer can do more harm than good.
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Hook’n Them Up Fishing Charters
(855) 805-3474 (FISH) toll-free
(250) 230-0579 mobile
www.vanislefishing.com
July 2018
Port Hardy, located on Vancouver Island’s northeast shore on Queen Charlotte Strait, is known as one of the best places on the island to catch all five salmon species. July provides some excellent chances at nailing the big one you’ve been looking for.
The Deserters Group is a pretty good early Chinook producer–try fishing between 70 and 100 feet. For coho and chum in early July, try Duval Point, Hardy Bay, and Masterman Island. Your best combo will be the #4 Atomic Plug Green-White Glow and Lila Micro Flasher or Monkey Puke Flasher and Glo-Flow Green and Red Titan spoon by Oki Tackle.
You can also try fishing Wall Street as well if you know the secret code–try the #4 Swiftsure spoon and Lemon Lime flasher from Gibbs Delta Tackle or the Yellow Green Mist JDF Green Maverick Jellyfish Flasher by Oki Tackle. Both sizes of anchovies will work here. You may also want to try trolling slow using a cut-plug herring. While doing this, please be mindful of the other boaters moving in a faster tack. This year salmon fishing has been pretty good; the average size spring around is 20 to 25 lbs and the odd 32- to 38-lb Chinook being brought to the dock. Mid-July will hold pinks–try a Purple & Pink Squirt, but use a bigger hook; the Chinooks will hit this as well, and if you have an undersized hook say bye-bye to your shiny friend. Hopefully we will see some sockeye retention again for July and August–fingers crossed.
Port Hardy halibut fishing has remained good so far. While halibut fishing in July, try the sand flats at the airport; it offers many different shoals with tons of structure to fish. Also look for large shoals or pinnacles on your GPS; these spots should hold bait which the halibut feed off of. But you have to have some real local knowledge to hunt these flat ones and succeed. These spots hold 20- to 65-lb halibut, and a couple of popular methods for these areas are bottom trolling with large spoons or whole herring. Try jigging with Delta Mudrakers and salmon bellies.
Please ensure you record your halibut lengths and answer questions from our fish observers. Please see the DFO website for IREC info and record your halibut catch. The data they collect is very important to our retention limits. As a professional angler I can’t stress this enough. It’s an absolute must; please do your part.
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June 2018
In June, Duval Point is usually the early Chinook producer. Try the Happy Hooker Titian spoon and Yellow-Green Mist Big Shooter flasher or a Green Haze teaser head.
You should also try the #4 Tossed Salad spoon and Lemon Lime Series LLC Chartreuse Moon Jelly flasher. This seems to be the most effective combo this year. You may also want to try trolling slow using a cut-plug herring. While doing this, please be mindful of the other boaters moving in a faster tack, so you don’t cause traffic issues for others around you.
This year salmon fishing has been pretty good. The average size spring has been 15 to 25 lbs with the odd 28- to 32-lb Chinook being brought to the dock. Try trolling around 45 to 100 feet. Pay attention to your GPS, because there are several spots where the bottom just loves to sneak up on you, and it loves eating cannon balls. Don’t be afraid to adjust your speed to see what’s most effective.
While fishing in Port Hardy, please visit our good friends at Redden Net–they will certainly try to take care of all your tackle needs, crab pots, or boat lines.
Port Hardy halibut fishing has remained good so far, with fishing coming from Pine Island and Bukle Group, but you have to have some real local knowledge to hunt these flat ones.
For halibut fishing in June, Port Hardy offers many different shoals with tons of structure to fish. Try the sand flats at the Airport or Taylor Bank. These spots hold 20- to 75-lb halibut, and a couple of popular methods for these areas are bottom trolling with large spoons, whole herring (same set up as you would with anchovy), or Mudrakers and salmon bellies.
Please ensure you record your halibut lengths and answer questions from our fish observers. Please see the DFO website for IREC info and record your halibut catch. The data they collect is very important to our retention limits. As a professional angler I can’t stress this enough. It’s an absolute must folks, so please do your part.
We would also like to mention the issues around identifying your catch with special concern to yelloweye over canary rock cod. Yelloweye have bright yellow eyes and canaries do not. If you suspect you have an incorrect one on please bring it up slowly to avoid barotrauma–aka ‘pressure shock’–and have a descending device ready.
Hook’n Them Up Fishing Charters
(855) 805-3474 (FISH) toll-free
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Spring 2018
The arrival of spring brings calmer seas and better weather, although we seem to get an abundance of liquid sunshine, some years more than others.
By mid- to late May the Chinook will start moving through and keep in- creasing in size and numbers until the end of August and early September.
Try Duval Point with a cut plug herring on the slack, then run down to Daffine Island to finish things off. You may also want to try a Monkey Puke Flasher (Oki Tackle) and a #5 Gibbs Gold Clendon Stewart spoon, my favourite tackle combo. I swear by it. When nothing else will work, you can also try out some glow spoons from Pesca Lures.
This year salmon fishing has been pretty good; the average size spring around is 15 to 20 pounds and the odd 23- to 25-pound Chinook being brought to the dock. Try trolling around 45 to 100 feet; pay attention to your GPS as there are several spots the bottom just loves to sneak up on you and will definitely claim your cannon- balls. Also, while fishing in Port Hardy, please visit our good friends at Redden Net. They will certainly try to take care of all your tackle needs.
Port Hardy and Port McNeill halibut fishing started in early April, but you have to have some real local knowledge to hunt these flat ones. While May halibut fishing in Port Hardy offers many different shoals with tons of structure to fish, give a try to the sand flats near the airport. These spots hold 20- to 60-pound halibut, and a couple of popular methods for these areas are bottom trolling with large spoons or a spreader bar with 10-inch power grub, whole herring or with Delta Mudrakers and salmon bellies.
This year’s hali fishing will be a little more challenging with a smaller slot size, but skilled anglers should have no problem filling your coolers with your favourite fish. Please ensure you record your halibut lengths and answer questions from our fish observers. The data they collect is very important to our retention limits. So tips up and tight lines and keep on fishin’!
Hook’n Them Up Fishing Charters
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April 2018
With the arrival of spring brings calmer seas and better weather, although we seem to get an abundance of liquid sunshine, some more years than another. You still need to pick your days when fishing at this time of the year, paying attention to weather and the tides.
The winter springs are still about still feeding in Hardy Bay and the bottom of Daffine Island. Try a #4 Glow West Coast Express Pesca Fishing spoon or the #4 Blue Nickle Mist Oki Spoon. Combine either of these with the Silver Fever Flasher from Hotspot and you’re ready to rock and roll. The average size winter spring around is between 10 and 14 pounds. Try trolling around 45 to 100 feet; pay attention to your GPS as there are several spots where the bottom just loves to sneak up on you and it will definitely claim your cannon balls.
Halibut fishing starts in early March; many different shoals around the area have great structure and will hold fish. Try the sand flats near the Airport or off of Story’s Beach These spots hold 20- to 65-pound halibut. Popular methods for these areas are bottom trolling. I sometimes will use a rod holder than actively jigging; rig a spreader bar with herring, salmon belly strips, squid, or octopus. Large Berkley Power Bait Glow or White Power Grubs work exceptionally well on a spreader bar, or rigged on a lead head jig.
Please ensure you record your halibut lengths, from our fish observers. The data they collect is very important to our retention limits. Please participate in the DFO IREC Survey, your catch counts. We would also like to add that if you see illegal long lining equipment meaning no numbers or in restricted areas, please inform MPO right away; take a picture and date stamp it with the area it was in. The fishing rules and regulations apply to everyone.
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Sept/Dec 2017
As the season starts to wind down in September there are plenty of opportunities to hook a few shiny ones. Duval Point and Daffine Island are never bad places to try on the early morning slack/flood tide; it’s one of my favorite Hardy places to fish. But a trip to the tip of the Gordon Islands and the Deserters Group can also pay off in a big way. Try between 50 and 130 feet for those big Chinook and 30 to 60 feet for pinks and coho. Try the 252 Coho Special Glow JFD anchovy teaser head and the 724 Lila Jelly Fish Flasher, or another great standby is the #5 50/50 Clendon Stewart spoon, and the 50/50 Chrome /brass Wonder spoons with a Green Chartreuse flasher. Cut-plug herring and anchovy is still a popular method. Beware that you will be moving far slower than other anglers while fishing this method.
This is also the prime period for fly fishing off the estuaries and beaches, where pink salmon will hold until the first good rain, usually at some point in early to mid-September. Pretty well any pink-coloured fly will attract them. Casting spoons, weighted spinners and small drift-jigs are another option. Hot pink works well, as do silver or gold with metallic blue, hot pink or chartreuse highlights.
For some great halibut fishing head for Shadwell Passage, the sand flats at the Airport, Taylor Bank or Ripple Passage. These spots offer many different shoals with tons of structure to fish. Rig a spreader bar with a 1½- to 2-pound sinker and bait up with salmon belly, a shishkebob of octopus and herring, or simply a white Berkley Power Grub. Drop it down to the bottom where the depth sounder indicates about 300 to 400 feet (90 to 120 metres on the marine chart). Top-rigged dink and pipe jigs with colourful skirts are also a good bet, but sweeten them up with a bit of fresh bait. Have a good study of your GPS and watch for the slack tides. I prefer to anchor for halibut and I use a mix of bait and jigging to find out what is working on any day. Please ensure you record your halibut lengths and answer questions from our fish observers. Your catch counts.
Hook’n Them Up Fishing Charters
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August 2017
August provides some excellent chances at nailing the big one you’ve been looking for. Castle Point is a great Chinook producer. Also, Duval Point, Hardy Bay, Gordon Islands, and off Round Island have all been productive at depths between 60 and 160 feet.
Use the GJFSF Green Haze teaser head or #4 Swiftsure spoon with Lemon Lime Chartreuse Moon Jelly Flasher. Good combos might be #3.5 Homeland security spoon and Monkey Puke Flasher or Midnight Mist Flasher and glow flow green and red titan spoon. Both size of anchovies will work here or the GJSF Yellow Haze Teaser Head. I have also had successes on the small Tomic plugs using a micro flasher.
This year salmon fishing has been pretty good with the average size spring around 15 to 25 pounds and the odd 28- to 35-pound Chinook being brought to the dock.
Lots of halibut have been taken this year from the usual spots like Gordon Channel, the Buckle Group, Ripple Passage, Morgan Shoal, and Taylor Bank, in sizes ranging from little chickens to big barn doors. Chicken halibut are most abundant and by far the best eating, and also a lot safer to get into your boat without breaking bones or equipment. These critters bite readily on herring, octopus and salmon chunks fished off a spreader bar, and most jigs are very effective. Good depths are where the bottom reads 80 to 120 metres, fairly flat and with a gravel or sand surface.
Please ensure you record your halibut lengths on your license and answer questions from our fish observers.
Hook’n Them Up Fishing Charters
(855) 805-3474 (FISH) toll-free
(250) 230-0579 mobile
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February 2017
The arrival of spring brings calmer seas and better weather although we seem to get an abundance of liquid sunshine. You still need to pick your days when fishing in March and April. Whether you fish locally around Duval Point and the Masterman Islands or run all the way out to Pine Island, there are always plenty of great fishing opportunities for salmon and bottom fish around the Port Hardy area.
You will want to try the Skinny G Trap shack spoon and Yellow Green Jelly Flasher or the #4 Cop Car Glow Spoon or Blue Nickle Mist spoon and High Roller Flasher. Try trolling around 45 to 100 feet and pay attention to your GPS. There are several spots at which the bottom just loves to sneak up on you and it will definitely claim your cannon balls.
Port Hardy halibut fishing starts February 1. While halibut fishing in March and April, Port Hardy offers many different shoals with tons of structure to fish. Try the sand flats near the Airport or off of Story’s Beach, These spots hold 20- to 65-pound halibut and a couple of popular methods for these areas are bottom trolling with large spoons or Gibbs Spreader Bar with eight-inch hali hawg grub, whole herring or with Delta Mudrakers. Please ensure you record your halibut lengths.
Hook’n Them Up Fishing Charters
(855) 805-3474 (FISH) toll-free
(250) 230-0579 mobile
www.vanislefishing.com
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Father Day - Catch & Release 40 lb Hatchery male, North Island. Taylor and Ray Logan
