Derby this Saturday Oct.8th out of Jock’s Dock is gaining momentum and looks like it will have some good prizes. Tickets are $30 per rod and proceeds go to Charters Creek Interpretive Centre. Congrats to Julie Bourque for landing a nice 33lb Spring Salmon while Coho fishing in 400ft of water trolling an anchovy at 60ft. out in the Harbour Mouth, fishing out of Sooke Harbour Resort and Marina Oct.5th.
Sept.4thFished with brothers Corey and James for a full day at Otter Point for Salmon.Had a couple of good Spring Salmon hit that didn’t hook up,by going into a little deeper water 100ft with the gear at 75/85ft on the downrigger,we managed to find a nice 13lb Spring for James,1-Pink and 1- hatchery Coho Salmon.
Sept 5th Fished with Becky,Grant,Amelia,and Colin for Salmon on the East side of Otter Point.Released 3 or 4 winter Springs 5 or 6lbs, landed 1-Pink,1-hatchery Coho 10lbs,2- Springs 14 and 16lbs.Windy foggy morning, turned sunny in the afternoon, remained windy.
Sept.6th Fished with regular guest Denis at Otter Point landed 1- hatchery Coho, lost a couple of Pinks near the boat.Foggy morning that turned sunny, no wind.
Sept.7th Fished with Kent from Victoria for big Spring Salmon. Started off Secretary Island, caught 3 or 4 winter Springs that we released, looking for something larger.10:30am moved up to Otter Point and played a couple more fish,landed a nice hatchery Coho that Kent was going to prepare Sushi with,lost a decent winter Spring trolled up off the bottom at 3rd Rock.Great sunny day flat water.
Sept.8th Fished with couple Kevin and Katherine staying at the Harbour House in from Idaho for Katherine’s 50th birthday. Short trip up to Otter Point in the evening, caught a nice wild Coho around 15lbs that had to be released.Some great pictures taken with the sun going down,didn’t see any other boats hooking up,although heard there was a bite on earlier in the afternoon.One boat had a mid teens and mid 20′s Spring Salmon onboard.
Sept.9th Fished with Neil and Terry from Sooke and the UK.Started at 2pm and first troll produced two strikes, one Neil fought a 10lb Spring into the boat and Terry lost a much larger Salmon only minutes later. No other strikes during the trip,didn’t see or hear of any of the other boats hooking up,fished until 7pm.Great flat water,sunny skies.
Sept.10th Bob in 2REEL2 was out with guests today fishing Otter Point.Landed 1-10lb Spring and 1-Pink Salmon. Saw some fish caught in the morning and again between 1 and 2pm at the Point.
Sept.11th Fished with Mia and her Dad Helgi from Sooke.Very slow morning looking for any species of Salmon at Otter Point, saw a couple of nice Springs get caught,one by Bob in 2REEL2 with his buddy Martin 28lbs.Helgi landed a small winter Spring in the mid afternoon, and Mia latched onto her largest Spring Salmon a short time later off the point at 75ft on the downrigger,21lbs.Great flat calm day,a little breeze to keep us cool, sunny clear skies, but another full moon cycle to quiet the Springs in the morning.
Sept.13th Fished with regular guest Denis for Cod. Tried anchoring in Beecher Bay,would not recommend trying this unless you are extremely confident in your anchor retrieval system. After getting fully stuck to the bottom, we unhooked our anchor system and trolled for Cod, landing a nice Quillback.Didn’t see any Lingcod or the numbers of Quillback we would have liked too. Managed to get all of the anchoring system back, but not without damaging it slightly.Nice ride in calm waters, viewed a large Humpback Whale making it’s way East though the Straight.
Sept.17th 2REEL2 Bob was fishing with regular guests Doug and Carey in the Harbour mouth looking for a late season big Spring Salmon and hooked into a nice 25lb Spring.
Sept.18th Fishing with Doug and Carey again for Salmon aboard 2Reel. Hooked into a winter Spring Salmon infront of the Trailer Park that got away.Slow day.
Sept.19th Morning Fished with Eddy and Bil from Texas. Tried the tide lines out off Sooke harbour mouth. Landed a nice hatchery Coho and released an even nicer wild Coho Salmon. We were trolling a Party girl spoon at 75ft and a red and chrome Rhys Davis anchovy teaser head at 85ft on the downrigger behind a red mirror and a Silver Betsy flasher.We tried the 120ft ledge off the Trailer Park and hooked into a nice winter Spring Salmon that shook the hooks.Flat water and sunny skies, little cooler in the mornings.Saw 2 or 3 Humpback whales slowly making thier way to Secretary Is., was able to watch them for about half an hour as they slowly swam past us.
Sept.19th Afternoon Fished with a return guest from a couple of years ago, Peter and his fishing buddy Rod. Sunny afternoon,trolling for a late big Spring Salmon.Peter landed a Winter Spring Salmon off the Trailer Park which we trolled up from 95ft on the downrigger. Trolling up to Otter Point around 2:45pm while we were crossing over the reef with the gear at 80ft on the downrigger, Rod grabbed the rod which pounded off the downrigger.He played a great 40lb Spring Salmon to the boat in flat calm water, the fish took huge runs as soon as it was hooked so landing it was awesome, swam right into the net.Hit another wild Coho Salmon that took the gear off the downrigger, which we released. The big Spring took a Purple Haze Rhys Davis anchovy teaser head trolled behind a red mirror flasher trolled about 30ft behind the boat.
Sept.20th Fished again with Peter and Rod for Salmon off Otter Point.Saw some Coho and winter Springs get landed. The guys hooked up a nice winter Spring we put in the box, and released a really nice wild Coho Salmon. Action came on around 10:30am until noon,didn’t see any big Spring Salmon being played or landed.Wind came up out of the East around noon, bit of a pound back to the harbour,otherwise great weather,nice calm sunrise.
Sept.21st 2REEL2 Bob fished with 2 Japanese guests,Reiko and Satoshi for Coho Salmon. Trolled out off the harbour mouth, released some wild Coho,didn’t see any hatcheries.Calm water,cloudy, no rain so far.
Sept.23rd Fished morning with Jim and Bill from Alberta for Salmon off the Harbour Mouth and later Otter Point in the morning.Flat calm sunny weather.Had no strikes, very slow morning.
Sept.23rd 2REEL2 Bob and his crew found a Pink Salmon trolling off the harbour mouth and out into the deep water off the Bluffs.
Sept 24th 2REEL2 Skipper Bob was out during the morning and his group landed a hatchery Coho.They trolled deep off the harbour mouth and Sooke Bluffs.
Sept.24th Afternoon Tried an afternoon trip with Jim and Bill, went to Otter Point.Released 2 nice wild Coho down deep at 130 to 140ft on the downrigger,trolling anchovies.Landed 2 decent winter Spring Salmon at the same depths.Tide was ebbing, and most strikes were while trolling into the tide on the reef.Pulled 2 good Dungeness Crabs from the traps on the way in.Came in on a great flat Sooke sunset.
Sept.25th 2REEL2 Bob fished Otter Point with his guest, landing a hatchery Coho and a nice 13lb Chum Salmon.Bob was trolling deep,130/140ft on the downriggers.
Sept.25th Afternoon Fished with Jim and Bill again this afternoon for Salmon at Otter Point,fierce wind blow came through about noon, but we waited until 2:30pm before heading out.Released 3 nice wild Coho Salmon at Otter before we managed to land 3 winter Spring Salmon.Landed 2 of the 3 Spring Salmon on a small pink hootchy/squirt we usually use for Sockeye and Pinks, trolled at 140ft on the downrigger.Nice ride back in on flat water,great sunset.
Sept.26th AFTERNOON Fished with Andy and Ivan from Alberta in the afternoon,after some morning high winds came down.Dropped the gear at the White house at the Bluffs,a nice Jack Spring grabbed the gear within minutes,Ivan’s first Salmon in the box. Trolled Otter Pt.hard with 1- Salmon getting away,and landing another Spring off the reef. We were trolling 5″ herring at 130/140ft on the downriggers, close to the reef at Otter Pt. No Coho Salmon seen. Flat water run home with the sun going down behind us.
Sept27th AFTERNOON Fished with Andy and Ivan again at Otter Point. Had 3 nice wild Coho come to the boat which we released.We were trolling anchovy in blue pearl and white pearl heads behind Silver Betsy and Red Mirror flashers at 130 and 140ft on the downriggers.1-Rock Cod took our anchovy as we fished across the Bluffs,open till the end of the month,so we took it as a filleted,cubed bacon wrapped starter.
Sept.29th Fished with Andy early morning,out before the sun came up,at the Bluffs. Andy landed a nice winter Spring Salmon on a pink hootchy,trolled behind a red mirror flasher at 95ft, and a hatchery Coho on an anchovy in a pearl white head at 85ft, in 130ft of water.Had a couple of other strikes that didn’t hang on, Andy had a plane to catch,off the water by 9:30am.Sunny clear skies,wind out of the SE,which makes for a choppy ride home.
Oct.2nd Afternoon Bob fished with Willis and his sons Kevin and Richard for Coho Salmon infront of Sooke harbour mouth. The group landed 4 Coho,3 wild and 1 hatchery. They trolled spoons and the new Yo-Zuri 6″ squid clear with glow spatter, many call the Turd.Bob reported that they trolled out to 300ft of water and then back in again to find the schools of Coho.
Oct.5th Fished with Don,Tom,and John from the UK in the early morning for Coho Salmon.The three had a great time playing over 20 Salmon to be released at the boat.This crew did not want to keep any of thier fish.All but 2 of the Coho were wild. We trolled a glow hootchy with a green stripe,and a green,yellow and white hootchy,at 80 to 95ft on the downriggers and had action from sun up to noon in 150 to 500ft of water off the Sooke harbour mouth.
Oct.6th Fished with Bill my father inlaw today,could not stay off the water with the excellent Coho Salmon fishing this week.Landed 4 nice Coho between 10am and 1pm, trolling in 250 to 550ft of water off the Bluffs.Fished glow/green hootchies at 75 to 95ft on the downriggers,had a blast playing 15 to 20 Salmon,I got to play some Salmon!
Oct.7th Afternoon Fished with Doug who hired us out for the Sooke Thanksgiving Coho Derby on the next day. Had some strikes right away early in the afternoon that didn’t hook up. But then we landed 2 nice Coho 10 and 12lbs both wild.Released a couple more wild Salmon,didn’t see any hatchery Coho. We found that trolling towards the harbour mouth when the tide was ebbing,trolling against the tide triggered some strikes at 80 to 90ft on the downriggers.We were using green/glow hootchies trolled behind Silver Betsy and Green Haze flashers.
Oct.8th Fished the Sooke Thanksgiving Coho Derby with Doug from South Eastern B.C. We landed 3 hatchery Coho Salmon,largest being 10.3lbs which did not get us any prizes,but we had a good time competing.It was great to see so many boats on the water this late in the season.Jamie Pincombe won the Derby with his father weighing in a 16lb Coho. We had 2 nice Dungeness and 2 Redrock crabs in the traps on the way in.

Trolling hootchies,spoons and anchovies behind a variety of flashers deep, close to the bottom, 110 to 150ft on the downrigger,has been working well for most anglers. White and or glow, and Purple Haze anchovy teaser heads have been working particularily good. The bite on Winter or feeder Springs seems to have really come on strong over the last couple of weeks, especially across the noon hour. Most of the Springs are 5 to 7lbs, but there are some larger fish being tagged into. Halibut and Cod are of course closed in the Sooke area. Please check fisheries notices for the fish you wish to target before heading out, or contact your local tackle store for more information, many will post Fisheries notices in the store. Weather has been alot cooler this week, the North East winds persist, and brought in snow on Nov. 21st

An important Sport Fishing Advisory Board meeting is coming up on Nov 24th at the Four Points Sheraton Victoria Gateway Hotel in Langford at 7:30pm. This will be an important meeting as discussion will focus on how Early Timed Fraser Chinook will affect our local fisheries next spring and the 2011 sport Halibut season. All anglers are welcome and encouraged to attend as it important for DFO to hear our concerns.

Oct 5th Fished with Neville and Bill from Australia and Alberta. Action was good in the morning with good sized wild Coho Salmon striking the gear. We were fishing in front of the Bluffs in 300 to 400ft of water with the gear down at 90 and 110ft on the downrigger, trolling plain glow, glow and green, and white,green and yellow hootchies behind red flashers. Took our limit of wild Coho, 13lbs,and 2 x 8lbs, released a small winter Spring Salmon and a large wild Coho that would have put us over the limit, saw no hatcheries. Good conditions, flat water, sunny skies, good to see a good number of boats out mid week taking these great Coho Salmon.

Oct 8th Fished two boats this morning with a local group of friends from Sooke and the Maritimes. Coho fishing was hot first thing in the morning with strikes and fish being caught as soon as we got out. Our boat landed two Coho Salmon 10 and 6.5lbs, one 10lb Chum Salmon, and two smaller winter run Spring Salmon. 2 REEL 2′s crew had five Coho 10,10,15,15, and 18lbs and one 5lb winter Spring Salmon. We were trolling hootchies and bait from 200ft of water to 500ft, with the gear from 90ft to 140ft on the downriggers. The hootchies were “Ghost Shrimp” and green,white and yellow, and the bait heads were plain chrome, chrome and red, and pearl white.

Oct 9th Fished with Martin, his son Ross, and his grandson Daniel from England and Port Moody B.C., for Salmon off the Sooke Harbour Mouth. Had great action early morning trolling a green,white and yellow hootchy,and anchovy in a pearl white teaser head behind a red glow flashers at 75 to 140ft on the downrigger, in 110 to 500ft of water. There were probably 30 to 40 boats out trolling the area, and many were reporting catching alot of Winter or feeder Springs and some Coho Salmon. The boys on our boat landed 2 Coho 8 and 11lbs, and 4 Springs 8,8,8,and 11lbs. Most of the Salmon were caught at 120 and 140ft on the downrigger. 2REEL2 was also on the water with Clayton and his crew,trolling for Salmon in the same area. They landed 3 Coho;10,10,and 11lbs. and 2 Springs both 6lbs.

Oct 10th 2REEL and 2REEL2 on the water this morning again trolling the Sooke Harbour mouth area with Ben and his sons Ben Jr. and Bill and Jeff and his crew, for Salmon. We were trolling a green and white glow hootchy and a green,yellow and white hootchy behind red glow flashers at 120 and 140ft on the downriggers, 2REEL2 was trolling bait on one side (anchovy) and a “Ghost Shrimp” hootchy on the other. Strong ebbing tide and a little wind left over from last night created a small chop on the water that soon disappeared, as the morning wore on, and the sun came out. We landed 3 springs; 6,6,and 8lbs, while 2REEL2 landed 2 Coho 8 or 9lbs, and one Spring 8lbs.

Oct 11th 2 REEL 2 was out with Bob as Skipper and Cam and Melissa his guests fishing for Salmon outside the Sooke Harbour Mouth. The two landed 4 nice Coho Salmon ranging from 8 to 13lbs, trolling green hootchies and bait. Weather was a little wet, but the water flat.

Oct 18th Fished aboard 2REEL2 with guests Perry and Mark, for Salmon in the morning and Halibut in the afternoon. Wind and tide conditions were excellent for Halibut fishing, and it being the last day to fish for the flat ones on the west coast this year, we found it fitting to head west up to Jordan River. Mark landed two nice Coho, 8 and 9lbs at 140 and 110ft on the downrigger, from 140 to 500ft of water, trolling a Glow Below hootchy, and a favorite green,yellow, and white hootchy behind red flashers. Around noon we switched up to Halibut fishing and after releasing a small shark (dog fish), Perry grabbed the rod when an 18lb Halibut took our Salmon belly strip bounced on the bottom. The tide and wind were so low, we didn’t even have to anchor the boat. Great day, flat water with no wind, overcast skies with a high ceiling.

Oct.23rd Fishing in front of the Sooke Harbour Mouth in up to 500ft of water, with Sooke locals Nin and Shane, who won a fishing trip with us in the Sooke Salmon Enhancement Derby in August for a 5th place Salmon they caught. Winter type winds have started coming out of the Harbour which made fishing in the Straight quite comfortable. The guys landed two smaller winter Springs, a nice 12.5lb Coho and an 8.5lb Chum. The Springs took glow hootchies trolled behind a red Oki striper flasher, the Coho and Chum struck the newer Rhys Davis Purple Flash anchovy bait head trolled behind a Big Shooter Green Haze flasher, at 120 and 140ft on the downrigger. The action was good from sunrise to noon.

Oct 29th Fishing for Salmon with Sandy and Dave from East Sooke and thier guests from California Karen and Jeff, infront of the Harbour mouth. Slow morning, no strikes first thing, heard about a couple fish hooked into and lost at Secretary Island. Trolled West to Otter Point and back again with no strikes. Had a nice Salmon hit the gear back at the Harbour mouth in 150ft of water with the gear at 140ft on the downrigger, at around 1pm, that Karen wasn’t able to hold onto. Soon after she did hook into another good 10lb Spring Salmon on anchovy trolled in a white/pearl bait head trolled at 140ft behind an Oki Red Striper flasher. Two other charter Salmon boats out today; one landed a 12lb Coho and lost another Salmon, the other boat had two fish on but didn’t land them. Stayed out until dusk, (great sunset), no more strikes on our boat, flat water, no wind.

Nov.3rd Fished with Dennis and Bob from Victoria and Manitoba for Winter Spring Salmon outside the Sooke Harbour Mouth this morning. Very slow morning, our bait was struck twice but no hook up. Saw one Salmon caught on another boat. The fish was taken on bait (anchovy) trolled at 140ft on the downrigger, toward the Trailer Park. Winds were light and unusually warm, but out of the South East which makes for unfavorable conditions in our area (very lumpy).

Nov.13th Fished with Neil from Sooke this morning for Winter run Chinook Salmon. Tide was coming in first thing and started to slow down around 9am. That’s when the action came on with good strikes on a glow and green Coyote spoon and a white Rhys Davis anchovy teaser head, trolled behind a green/glow and green/silver plaid Big Shooter flashers. We released 4 or 5 smaller fish and retained our limit (great eating fish) of 6 to 7lb’ers. A Tiger Prawn/glow anchovy head hooked us into a big Spring (we guessed at 15 to 18lbs) that could not be handled, got some slack line and got away. We had a couple more Springs that got away, and a few of the fish pulled the line off the downriggers, great action. Other boats on the water infront of the Trailer Park reported the same action, more reports of Salmon in the “teens” being hooked into. Cool temperatures, grey weather,no rain, light winds out of the North East.

Nov.21st Fished with Bev and her Son Chris for Bev’s birthday. Trolled for winter Springs infront of the Trailer Park, and the first couple hours were very slow, but the bite really came on around 10am. We landed three Salmon from 5 to 7lbs, released 4 or 5 small fish and lost a couple larger Salmon. We trolled a Rhys Davis “Bullet Role” Purple Haze bait head behind a Purple Haze flasher on one side, and a glow greenish/blue, black stripe on top Kripple head behind the new Kinetic flasher on the other side at 125 and 135ft on the downrigger. Snowed for most of the morning, and the water stayed pretty flat for the whole day.

Fishing report courtesy of 2 Reel Fishing Adventures in Sooke, BC

For more information on the Sooke Region, please visit our official Discover Sooke website.

Smaller feeder Springs to 10lbs have been showing up, which provide some great sport and table fish as well. The Coho have been striking on a variety of lures; glow,white and green, as well as “Ghost Shrimp” hootchies (glow with black marks), blue/nickle, and green/nickle spoons, and of course anchovy trolled in any bait head. We have been using red flashers, trolling hootchies at 90 to 140ft on the downrigger, have heard of some Coho being taken trolling at shallower depths, but it didn’t work for us last couple of times out. The bite seems to come on strongest in the mornings in 300 to 500ft of water off the Sooke Harbour mouth, fish are still caught later in the day, but the frequency of bites drops off. For now the weather has been cooperating with warm sunny skies and flat water.

Halibut fishing is now CLOSED.

Oct 5th Fished with Neville and Bill from Australia and Alberta. Action was good in the morning with good sized wild Coho Salmon striking the gear. We were fishing in front of the Bluffs in 300 to 400ft of water with the gear down at 90 and 110ft on the downrigger, trolling plain glow, glow and green, and white,green and yellow hootchies behind red flashers. Took our limit of wild Coho, 13lbs,and 2 x 8lbs, released a small winter Spring Salmon and a large wild Coho that would have put us over the limit, saw no hatcheries. Good conditions, flat water, sunny skies, good to see a good number of boats out mid week taking these great Coho Salmon.

Oct 8th Fished two boats this morning with a local group of friends from Sooke and the Maritimes. Coho fishing was hot first thing in the morning with strikes and fish being caught as soon as we got out. Our boat landed two Coho Salmon 10 and 6.5lbs, one 10lb Chum Salmon, and two smaller winter run Spring Salmon. 2 REEL 2′s crew had five Coho 10,10,15,15, and 18lbs and one 5lb winter Spring Salmon. We were trolling hootchies and bait from 200ft of water to 500ft, with the gear from 90ft to 140ft on the downriggers. The hootchies were “Ghost Shrimp” and green,white and yellow, and the bait heads were plain chrome, chrome and red, and pearl white.

Oct 9th Fished with Martin, his son Ross, and his grandson Daniel from England and Port Moody B.C., for Salmon off the Sooke Harbour Mouth. Had great action early morning trolling a green,white and yellow hootchy,and anchovy in a pearl white teaser head behind a red glow flashers at 75 to 140ft on the downrigger, in 110 to 500ft of water. There were probably 30 to 40 boats out trolling the area, and many were reporting catching alot of Winter or feeder Springs and some Coho Salmon. The boys on our boat landed 2 Coho 8 and 11lbs, and 4 Springs 8,8,8,and 11lbs. Most of the Salmon were caught at 120 and 140ft on the downrigger. 2REEL2 was also on the water with Clayton and his crew,trolling for Salmon in the same area. They landed 3 Coho;10,10,and 11lbs. and 2 Springs both 6lbs.

Oct 10th 2REEL and 2REEL2 on the water this morning again trolling the Sooke Harbour mouth area with Ben and his sons Ben Jr. and Bill and Jeff and his crew, for Salmon. We were trolling a green and white glow hootchy and a green,yellow and white hootchy behind red glow flashers at 120 and 140ft on the downriggers, 2REEL2 was trolling bait on one side (anchovy) and a “Ghost Shrimp” hootchy on the other. Strong ebbing tide and a little wind left over from last night created a small chop on the water that soon disappeared, as the morning wore on, and the sun came out. We landed 3 springs; 6,6,and 8lbs, while 2REEL2 landed 2 Coho 8 or 9lbs, and one Spring 8lbs.

Oct 11th 2 REEL 2 was out with Bob as Skipper and Cam and Melissa his guests fishing for Salmon outside the Sooke Harbour Mouth. The two landed 4 nice Coho Salmon ranging from 8 to 13lbs, trolling green hootchies and bait. Weather was a little wet, but the water flat.

Oct 18th Fished aboard 2REEL2 with guests Perry and Mark, for Salmon in the morning and Halibut in the afternoon. Wind and tide conditions were excellent for Halibut fishing, and it being the last day to fish for the flat ones on the west coast this year, we found it fitting to head west up to Jordan River. Mark landed two nice Coho, 8 and 9lbs at 140 and 110ft on the downrigger, from 140 to 500ft of water, trolling a Glow Below hootchy, and a favorite green,yellow, and white hootchy behind red flashers. Around noon we switched up to Halibut fishing and after releasing a small shark (dog fish), Perry grabbed the rod when an 18lb Halibut took our Salmon belly strip bounced on the bottom. The tide and wind were so low, we didn’t even have to anchor the boat. Great day, flat water with no wind, overcast skies with a high ceiling.

Good Fishing, Ron



July 1st Afternoon Fished with regular guests Ed and Leyla for Salmon at Otter Point. Trolled anchovies through the area at about 1:45pm, had two strikes on the first pass of the afternoon. One didn’t hook up the other did but was lost after it surfaced and ran across the surface showing its dorsal fin. Released a small Sockeye Salmon and landed a Pink Salmon which Ed and Leyla took for dinner.

July 2nd Fished with regular guests Shaun,Cory, and Don, from Victoria and Sask. Very slow morning, had word that Orca Whales had been through the area first thing in the morning. Had one Salmon hit the gear hard in the flooding tide at Otter Point at 70ft on the downrigger. Salmon was lost shortly after hooking up. Only one opportunity.

July 3rd Fished at Otter Point for Springs with Prago and John from South Africa. Reports of Orca Whales having just passed through the area. Consultants Derby was on and Otter was busy, saw three fish caught, mostly close to shore, maybe 60ft of water, probably 30 boats in the area. We had no hits, no fish.

July 5th AFTERNOON Fished Otter Point in the Afternoon with regular guest Denis. Again Otter was very slow, hooked into one Salmon on the first pass and lost it. No other strikes on the gear.

July 6th Fished with Frank and his Son Tommy between Otter Point and Sherringham Point, saw two or three Spring Salmon caught, no strike on the gear, heard many reports of same, some boats did get fish. Warm sunny day, wind from the SE making things choppy on the fishing grounds.

July 6th Afternoon Fished the afternoon with Mike,Mike, Frank and Pat for Salmon in flat water at Otter Point. Frank played and landed a 12lb Spring on the second pass by Third Rock at 80ft on the downrigger. Soon after Orca Whales showed up to feed off Otter Point. We continued trolling anchovies at 80 and 90ft on the downriggers and got into a double header off the point with Mike and Frank taking the rods and landing a 14 and 19lb Spring Salmon . Great action, good day, warm afternoon.

July 7th Fished with Ron and his crew from Sask. First time Salmon fishing, we trolled out off Secretary Island into 357ft of water, thinking of Coho but hooked into a nice 19lb Spring Salmon at 100ft on the downrigger. Had one other good strike at 90ft on the rigger that broke the leader on the strike. Great warm day, choppy in the morning, smoothing out by noon. Two nice crabs in the traps on the way in.

July 13th Fishing with Mike and Lucy,(who just got married in Sooke a few days before), for Spring Salmon at Otter Point. Incoming tide in the afternoon trolling west across the reef. Lucy played a Spring early in the trip that got away on the surface, probably 15lbs. Released a nice Sockeye Salmon, and landed a 6.5lb Pink Salmon. We were trolling a green and glow Krippled K style anchovy teaser head that has a black stripe on the top, behind a betsy flasher with a UV blade. Mike hooked into a nice 22lb Spring off the point with the gear at 75ft, to finish off our afternoon. Sunny flat day, good action.

July 13th 2REEL2 Bob fished the morning with Holly and Curtis. They were trolling at Otter Point, and hooked into and landed a 15lb Spring . They were using a blue/pearl Oki stlye anchovy teaser head with a black gator pattern on top trolled behind a Purple Onion flasher trolled at 75ft, in 140ft of water. No other bites.

July 14th Fished with Connor and Jenny staying at Salty Towers B&B, living in London. Connor had the pleasure of landing a 15lb Spring Salmon off second rock at Otter Point at around 1:30pm. No strikes in the morning. We were trolling a green and glow Rhys Davis anchovy teaser head at 70ft in 80ft of water, immediately after the Orca Whales past through. Great sunny weather with calm winds.

July 14th Afternoon Fished with Tasha,Hartly,Tiko and Hunter at Otter Point in the the incoming tide off the reef. Tiko landed a nice 11lb Spring with an anchovy trolled at 90ft, behind a green mist flasher. Wind, fog and choppy conditions from the South made for sloppy water for the first couple hours, until it shifted to coming out of the west, which was much better.

July 15th Afternoon Fished with Jay,Jay,Loyd,and John, who is getting married at Sooke Ocean Resort this coming weekend. The boys only had time for a short fishing trip, so we fished at Possession and Secretary Island for the afternoon. They had another group of guys on another boat and both boats had no strikes, no fish. Windy and choppy about half way through the trip.

July 15th 2REEL2 Bob fished with Devin,Paul,and Brandon at Otter Point for the last two days, no strikes or fish until the wind came up in the afternoon. They trolled back to the Harbour Mouth, and hit a nice Spring at the Trailer Park. They were trolling a Rhys Davis red and chrome anchovy teaser head behind a blue flasher with a yellow stripe on it, at 65ft in 100ft of water. The boys landed a nice 26lb Spring Salmon . Windy and choppy in the afternoon.

July 22nd Fished with Gord and his wife Leslie, at Possession and Secretary Is. Slow day no Salmon to report, could see Sockeye Salmon jumping on the surface.

July 23rd Fished with Gord again at Otter Point, landed one small Spring salmon about 8lbs. Slow day.

July 24th Fished with Karl, Wes,Ed, and Elaine for Spring Salmon. Started at Otter Point for Salmon and didn’t see anything caught. Anchored for Halibut infront of the Sooke Bluffs, released a dog fish, (small shark), but didn’t get any Halibut.

July 25th Fished again with Karl and his crew at Possession Point for Salmon, saw a few caught, had some good strikes inthe morning, that didn’t hook up. Went to Otter Point for the afternoon flooding tide, saw a few more Springs caught, but didn’t land any, another slow day.

July 26th Fished with Jim at Otter Point in the early morning and landed a 17lb Spring on the first pass while rounding the point. We were trolling a green flasher and a glow green anchovy teaser head with a black stripe on the top at 90ft on the downrigger. No other strikes to report.

July 27th Fished with Pavell,and his son Marcian and daughter Aniko, whom were staying at Salty Towers on the Sooke Harbour while here from the Netherlands. Saw one large male Orca whale surface near Secretary Island. Had five large salmon strike the gear, two of them close to the boat, but could not get any close to the net. Great day for action. We fished Possession Point and the Harbour mouth, 115ft of water with the gear at 80 and 90ft. Green glow anchovy teaser heads seemed to be the favored gear. There was another charter boat in the area, getting simular action, we did see them land at least one of thier Salmon.

July 28th Fished with my friends Henry and Gerrit, (you may have seen Gerrit on our website video from last year.) We started at 8:30am at Possession Point with the gear at 75 and 85ft on the downriggers. On the second pass Gerrit had a good strike that landed him a nice 25lb Spring Salmon after a great fight. Again the fish took green gear. No other strikes to report, we didn’t see any other fish caught in the morning.

July 28th AFTERNOON Fished with Mel and Heather from Calgary, for Spring Salmon at Possession Point. Fished the same areas as the morning and the day before, infront of the Harbour mouth. Had three Salmon hit the gear and landed a 12, 16 and 20lb Spring Salmon. Great afternoon for action.

July 29th Fished with Larry, his son and fiance, at Possession Point, slow morning, didn’t see many fish caught. We did land a small Greenling cod while looking for Salmon near Secretary Island. We also did land a small 7.5lb Spring in the afternoon in the fog near the point.

July 30th Fished with Brian , Larry and Don friends from Winnipeg. Had some good strikes off Secretary Island in the afternoon, morning was slow, didn’t see many fish caught. We did land a large black Sea Bass, 6.5lbs off Secretary Is. Good day for weather, windy in the late afternoon.

July 31st Fished with Ed and Leyla from Calgary, and living part time in East Sooke. Entered in the Sooke Salmon Enhancement Derby as they traditionally do, we had a very slow morning at Possession Point. We didn’t see any fish caught but did hear of two or three, and they were large fish. Good Fishing, Ron

Fishing report courtesy of 2 Reel Fishing Adventures.
]]> http://www.discoversooke.com/blog/2010/08/03/july-fishing-report-for-sooke-2010/feed/ 0 http://www.discoversooke.com/blog/2010/07/12/big-spring-salmon-have-arrived-july-12-2010/ http://www.discoversooke.com/blog/2010/07/12/big-spring-salmon-have-arrived-july-12-2010/#comments Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:18:13 +0000 admin http://www.discoversooke.com/blog/?p=655 Big Spring Salmon have arrived in good numbers at the local Sooke HOT SPOTS west of the Harbour Mouth, Whales have been in the area daily fishing the shoreline from Beechy Head to Sheringham Point for the last week. This has caused some very quiet mornings on the water for quite a few boats, while other anglers have been doing well.

The Spotty conditions will get better as more of these fish arrive on our coast. Whales were spotted again early this morning off of Otter Point even before some boats left the dock to go fishing. Early, early, morning trolls, or the afternoons, on the popular spots west of the Harbour have been most productive. Some boats have been trying to troll gear in the deeper water, off shore 300 to 400ft of water, this did produce a nice Spring for us yesterday, and another great big strike, that broke the leader. Anchovies have become impossible to get, but the red label herring are a great substitute, (they’re cheaper too). Halibut fishing continues to be good as long as the tides and winds cooperate, the Hali’s appear to be shallower now, as lots of bait can be seen while fishing the shoreline. Weather has been great, the last couple of days have been flat, sunny and hot, especially in the afternoons.
July 1st Afternoon Fished with regular guests Ed and Leyla for Salmon at Otter Point. Trolled anchovies through the area at about 1:45pm, had two strikes on the first pass of the afternoon. One didn’t hook up the other did but was lost after it surfaced and ran across the surface showing its dorsal fin. Released a small Sockeye Salmon and landed a Pink Salmon which Ed and Leyla took for dinner.
July 2nd Fished with regular guests Shaun,Cory, and Don, from Victoria and Sask. Very slow morning, had word that Orca Whales had been through the area first thing in the morning. Had one Salmon hit the gear hard in the flooding tide at Otter Point at 70ft on the downrigger. Salmon was lost shortly after hooking up. Only one opportunity.
July 3rd Fished at Otter Point for Springs with Prago and John from South Africa. Reports of Orca Whales having just passed through the area. Consultants Derby was on and Otter was busy, saw three fish caught, mostly close to shore, maybe 60ft of water, probably 30 boats in the area. We had no hits, no fish.
July 5th AFTERNOON Fished Otter Point in the Afternoon with regular guest Denis. Again Otter was very slow, hooked into one Salmon on the first pass and lost it. No other strikes on the gear.
July 6th Fished with Frank and his Son Tommy between Otter Point and Sherringham Point, saw two or three Spring Salmon caught, no strike on the gear, heard many reports of same, some boats did get fish. Warm sunny day, wind from the SE making things choppy on the fishing grounds.
July 6th Afternoon Fished the afternoon with Mike,Mike, Frank and Pat for Salmon in flat water at Otter Point. Frank played and landed a 12lb Spring on the second pass by Third Rock at 80ft on the downrigger. Soon after Orca Whales showed up to feed off Otter Point. We continued trolling anchovies at 80 and 90ft on the downriggers and got into a double header off the point with Mike and Frank taking the rods and landing a 14 and 19lb Spring Salmon . Great action, good day, warm afternoon.
July 7th Fished with Ron and his crew from Sask. First time Salmon fishing, we trolled out off Secretary Island into 357ft of water, thinking of Coho but hooked into a nice 19lb Spring Salmon at 100ft on the downrigger. Had one other good strike at 90ft on the rigger that broke the leader on the strike. Great warm day, choppy in the morning, smoothing out by noon. Two nice crabs in the traps on the way in.

Good Fishing, Ron

Report Courtesy of Ron at 2 Reel Fishing Adventures

Many of these large Spring Salmon have to be released due to the local restrictions D.F.O. has placed on the Victoria/Sooke areas. There are plenty of smaller hatchery Springs around that anglers can retain, which helps those who want to eat thier catch.

The slot restriction on Spring Salmon remains in effect in our area until June 19th, when fishers will be allowed one Chinook over 67cm and one under 67cm,check the regulations online or check out the fisheries notices at Marinas and tackle shops.

For now wild Salmon over 67cm in the Sooke/Victoria area are to be released, hatchery Spring Salmon over 45cm and wild Springs under 67cm may be kept. The Coho Salmon arrived in the area this last weekend which provided some good action, and some extra good eating fish. The Coho were being found in deeper,180 to 260ft of water,but were taking hootchies and spoons trolled at 35 to 65ft on the downrigger.

Halibut fishing has been GOOD, with many “chicken” Halibut 15 to 35lb fish being brought to the dock at Sooke Harbour Resort and Marina. Many boats normally Salmon fishing are now targeting Halibut, when the weather and tides permit. Gear, locations, bait and information on Halibut fishing can be found at Eagle Eye Outfitters in Sooke.

Halibut are being taken in 100 to 180ft of water at spots all around the area, West of Sooke Harbour being the most popular. Herring, Salmon bellies, Octipus and Squid are the most popular baits, spreader bars with 2lb balls and wire or strong monofiliment leaders the popular set ups. Hootchies of many different colors and sizes can help enhance the presentation of the bait, and hold onto the added scents that many fishermen are using. Crabbing in the Sooke Harbour has been GREAT, especially when using fresh Salmon or Halibut trimmings for bait.

May 2nd Fished with Ryan,Dave,Gene,and Jimmy again, as we were kept off the water yesterday by unsettled weather. Gene landed a nice 10lb Salmon minutes after dropping the gear near the Sooke Bluffs. We continued to hit winter sized Springs on our troll towards the Trailer Park. We were running a Party Girl spoon and a lime green Oki anchovey teaser behind red Oki Striper flashers at 110 and 115ft on the downriggers. The guys finished the half day morning with a 10lb,6,6,6,and a smaller Spring Salmon and 5 nice Dungeness crabs. Weather was windy,overcast, some rain showers and small choppy water.

May 6th Fished with Denis from East Sooke, for Lingcod, first thing in the morning. Brought two Lings to the boat that were slightly to small to keep, trolling herring in a Super Herring Teaser head. Tried Salmon fishing in the Trap Shack around 9am, slow fishing, saw one fish caught near Secretary Island, between 6 or 7 boats. Trolled to the Harbour Mouth where we picked up a 12lb Halibut on a lime green anchovey teaser head. The fish went crazy and broke the landing net but we still got him.

May 8th Trolled from the Harbour Mouth west with John,Vasco and Daniel from Vancouver, for Spring Salmon. We were using red Oki Striper flashers on both sides, a Rhys Davis red and chrome head, and an Oki lime green/black stripe on the other. John and Daniel liked 113 and 117ft on the downriggers,and it worked well. No strikes until 10am west of Otter Point, had five Salmon hit the gear landing four Springs : 12,13,15,and 15lbs. Great half day morning, flat water, sunny, and first time this year very warm on the water.

May 10th Fishing with Steve and Gilbert from Sooke and Alberta, for Spring Salmon. Started at the Harbour entrance and trolled west towards Sherringham Point, with the gear at 100 to 120 on the downriggers. Landed one smaller Spring Salmon as soon as we started fishing and had two other bites that didn’t hook up. Great day, flat water, some wind, overcast, 6 Dungeness crabs in the traps on the way in.

May 14th Fishing with Jason from Discover Sooke and Nick from Eagle-Eye Outfitters in Sooke. Trolled the Trap Shack from early in the morning, had one strike in the afternoon on the Party Girl spoon that took the line off the downrigger, but it didn’t stick. Flat water in the morning, wind coming up in the afternoon, lots of boats on the water looking for fish, saw one Spring Salmon caught on another boat mid day. Slow day. Six nice Dungeness crabs in the traps on the way in.

May 16th 2REEL2 Bob fished with Wally and his party East of the Sooke Harbour mouth and landed a 7lb Spring Salmon. Slow day, not many seen caught.

May 18th Test fishing with another guide from Sooke Harbour Resort and Marina, we travelled west from the Sooke Harbour mouth, and anchored for some Halibut fishing. In three hours we landed our two smaller Halibut (chickens). I was using pink Radiant double skirt hootchies slid over some nice salmon bellies hooked onto two single “J” hooks. Both Hali’s hooked up on this set up. The bait was off a spreader bar with a 2lb ball all tied to a Shimano Charter Boat Special level wind reel, and 7ft Shimano Talora one piece Halibut rod. Super light, super fun set up. Trolled for Salmon on the way back, hooked into a small wild Spring that we released, and a large Spring that we didn’t see, spat the hooks. Both Salmon hit a Glow Below hootchy trolled behind a Green Mist flasher at 95ft on the downrigger. One nice Crab in the trap on the way in. Great day flat water.

May 19th 2REEL2 Bob was fishing with Allison and her crew from the mainland, trolling west of the Sooke Harbour mouth to Otter Point. They trolled up a great 15lb hatchery Spring at 80ft on the downrigger using a Betsy pattern spoon. Tide has been ebbing strong in the mornings.

May 20th 2REEL2 Bob was fishing with Allison and her crew again aboard 2REEL2, trolling for Salmon up to Sherringham Point. The group landed two more Springs on this trip, 9 and 13lbs. The morning was windy and choppy with the strong ebbing flow out of the harbour mouth, both boats started mid morning , later than usual. Small, strong weather squals came through all day.

May 20th Fished with Henry D. (my father inlaw). Trolled from the Harbour Mouth west to the Trailer Park. Had one strike on the Party Girl spoon at 115ft on the downrigger, that didn’t hook up. Had a better strike on the anchovey trolled in a red and chrome Rhys Davies anchovey special bait head at 105ft on the downrigger infront of the Trailer Park. Henry helped me land a nice 27lb Halibut , (Henry had never seen one caught before). Great fun on the Salmon gear. Weather turned windy and choppy and we headed in shortly after, no further action. One good Crab in the traps on the way in.

May 21st Fished both 2REEL2 and 2REEL this morning with Jim Der
and his crew. Jim put two guys on each boat and we trolled for Spring Salmon west of the Sooke Harbour Mouth. Bob and his crew on 2REEL2 had three Salmon strike the gear landing 2 Springs 6 and 7lbs. We had two strikes on 2REEL landing one Salmon 11lbs. Nice sunny morning, with a slightly cool breeze, 4 nice crabs in the traps on the way in.

May 22nd Fished with Kevin and Mark from Sooke and the Prince George area, for Spring Salmon west of the Harbour Mouth towards the Trailer Park. Slow morning didn’t see any Springs caught. Landed one nice Spring Salmon in the afternoon after covering alot of ground/water. Kevin had a great time playing an 8lb Salmon into the net. We were trolling a red and chrome Rhys Davies anchovey special bait head behind a red Striper Oki flasher at 125ft on the downrigger in 125ft of water.

May 23rd Fished with George and Jim from the 21st of May trips again for Salmon. Another slow day of Salmon fishing, Jim landed one 7.5lb Spring Salmon in the morning infront of the Trailer Park, had one other fish strike the gear in the same area, no other fish. The Salmon took the red and chrome anchovey head trolled behind the red Oki Striper flasher. Lots of crabs in the traps on the way in.

Afternoon Fished with Jamie and his 7 year old son Ryan from Courtney/Comox on the Island, for Spring Salmon in the afternoon. Jamie landed one small Spring that we made that night for dinner. No other strikes on the Salmon gear. Had 8 nice Dungeness Crabs in the traps on the way in.

May 24th Fished with Jamie and his son Ryan again this morning for Halibut , travelled west of the Sooke Harbour Mouth over calm water and under sunny morning skies and anchored in 145ft of water. Using Salmon bellies and herring on double “J” hook set ups with Pink and glow Radiant hootchies and the long pink and silver, P-Line hootchy, we landed 3 Halibut 15, 17 and 21 lbs by 11:15am. Great morning, flat water, good action. Had 4 more great Dungeness Crabs in the traps on the way in.

May 26th Fished with Jack,Joanne, and Perry from Sooke and the mainland, in the morning for Spring Salmon and the afternoon for Halibut. Perry and Joanne landed two nice Springs 12 and 10lbs, trolling anchovey in a red and chrome Rhys Davies bait head,and a lime green/glow black stripe Oki bait head, behind red Oki striper flashers at 105 and 115ft on the downrigger. Low winds and good tides made us decide to stay out for Halibut. Between Salmon and Halibut fishing a large pod of whales swam by providing a great show. Using Salmon bellies and pink hootchies in 160ft of water, Perry landed a nice 17lb Halibut

May 28th Fished with guests from Vancouver, Liliano,Vince,Philip and Peter, from the Harbour mouth to Otter Point and West to Sherringham. Hooked into and lost two Spring Salmon between Otter and Sherringham. Landed one small wild Spring and had 4 nice crabs in the traps on the way in.

May 29th Fished with the same crew as yesterday, slow morning, no strikes on our first long troll to Sherringham light house. On the way back to Sooke Harbour we had a couple strikes that did not stick.

May 30th Fishing with Paul and his crew,morning trolling for Spring Salmon was slow, saw a couple caught at Sherringham Point, most boats were searching. Decided to go Halibut fishing at around 10:30am, landed a small one after about 20 minutes. No further action.

June 1st Fished with Warren and Don from Vancouver for Spring Salmon West of Sooke Harbour mouth to Sherringham light house. Had a big Spring Salmon hit the gear at Sherringham and peel off forty or fifty feet of line before it got away from Warren. We managed to land two smaller Springs . Great day of fishing with flat water and cloudy skies.

June 2nd Slow morning trolled from the Harbour mouth to Sherringham light house with Darryl and his crew, didn’t hook into any Salmon.

June 3rd Fishing with the same crew as yesterday, released a nice wild Spring Salmon probably 12 or 13lbs. We were trolling an anchovy in a Purple Haze bait head behind a red flasher at 90ft on the downrigger. Spent the second half of the day fishing for Halibut, didn’t find any. Slow day, nice flat water.

June 4th Fished with Ben and Alicia from Sacremento California for Spring Salmon. Had one strike off the Sooke bluffs that didn’t hook up. Had another strike at the Trailer Park that didn’t hook up, then the other rod was struck and Alicia played and landed a great 15lb hatchery Chinook Salmon . We hit another smaller Spring Salmon soon after.

June 5th Fished with Shaun and his crew, for Spring Salmon. Found some Coho Salmon off Otter Point, landed 4 hatchery Coho, and released many wild Coho, trolling a Glow Below hootchy and a Party Girl spoon behind red flashers at 50 to 60ft on the downriggers in 180 to 260ft of water. Later we trolled between Otter Point and Sherringham light house and played 2 Spring Salmon into the boat, one 8lbs, the other a smaller Spring.

June 6th Fished with Mark, and his crew from the mainland, for Salmon. We located the Coho Salmon off Otter Point and after releasing a few wild fish we landed 2 hatchery Coho and a 7.5 lb Spring Salmon . Spent the second half of the day fishing for Halibut on a spot near the Sooke Harbour mouth, we didn’t catch any.

June 7th Fished with Rodger and his son Steve, for Salmon. Hooked into a large Spring Salmon trolling by the Trailer Park on the first pass of the morning, the fish was lost near the boat, we didn’t see how large. Continued to fish the area and landed 4 smaller Salmon, trolling anchovey in a Krippled K Betsy Gold teaser, and a red and chrome Rhys Davis head behind red flashers, trolled at 80 and 90ft on the downrigger. Great action on a half day trip, 7 Crabs in the traps on the way in.

June 8th Fishing with Paul and his crew from the mainland for Salmon. We had a huge strike on the gear on our first pass by the Trailer Park that didn’t hook up. We continued to have many fish hit the gear that didn’t connect. Paul hooked into a wild Spring Salmon at Otter Point that we estimated to be 25lbs, the Salmon was released according to current regulations. 2 Dungeness crabs in the traps on the way in.

June 9th Fished with same group as above, for Spring Salmon, from the Harbour mouth to Otter Point. Landed 3 smaller Springs , released another 3 Springs, not in the slot limit. Anchovey trolled at 80 and 90ft in green and chrome and green and gold heads,behind red flashers, worked well for us.

June 10th Fished with Jamie, Pete ,Ralph, and Trevor, for Spring Salmon,released two nice Spring Salmon estimated 18 and 25lbs, trolling from the Trap Shack to Otter Point on a slow ebbing tide. Landed a good 7lb Coho and a 12lb hatchery Spring at Otter Point. Lost a couple more good Springs at Otter Point. Lots of hits even trolling back to the Harbour mouth from Otter Point.

June 11th Fished with the same crew as above at Otter Point,released a nice estimated 13lb wild Spring Salmon. Had 4 or 5 more hits that didn’t hook up. Didn’t take any fish. Wind coming up in the afternoon.

June 12th Fished with Pat, Jonathan, and Dave off the reef at Secretary Island. Landed 2 nice hatchery Spring Salmon in the 6 to 7lb range. One or two other bites that didn’t hook up. Trolled the anchovies in red and chrome, and green and chrome Rhys Davies anchovey heads, at 80 and 90ft on the downriggers. Two Dungeness crabs in the traps on the way in. Released a nice estimated 18lb wild Spring played by Jonathan. Warm sunny morning, calm water, great day.

June 13th Fished with Jonathan and Pat from yesterdays group for Spring Salmon in the Trap Shack and off Secretary Island reef. Strong ebbing tide and strong winds out of the West, made fishing difficult. Had four or five strikes, didn’t hook up any fish. Rough day.

Good Fishing, Ron

Report courtesy of 2 Reel Fishing Adventures.

Yes we still have the slot restriction in place until further notice from D.F.O., but there seems to be plenty of hatchery Salmon and fish under the limit to be retained. Check the regulations online or check out the fisheries notices at Marinas and tackle shops.

Wild Salmon over 67cm in the Sooke/Victoria area are to be released, hatchery Spring Salmon over 45cm and wild Springs under 67cm may be kept. There is also the option of fishing west of Sherringham Light House to be able to keep the wild Spring Salmon over 67cm.

Salmon are being reported caught at Otter Point and the Trailer Park, on anchovey, and spoons, anywhere from 80 to 125ft on the downrigger. Halibut fishing has been GOOD, with many “chicken” Halibut 15 to 35lb fish being brought to the dock at Sooke Harbour Resort and Marina. Many boats normally Salmon fishing are now targeting Halibut, when the weather and tides permit. Gear, locations, bait and information on Halibut fishing can be found at Eagle Eye Outfitters in Sooke.

Halibut are being taken in 100 to 180ft of water at spots all around the area, West of Sooke Harbour being the most popular. Herring, Salmon bellies, Octipus and Squid are the most popular baits, spreader bars with 2lb balls and wire or strong monofiliment leaders the popular set ups. Hootchies of many different colors and sizes can help enhance the presentation of the bait, and hold onto the added scents that many fishermen are using. Crabbing in the Sooke Harbour has been GREAT, especially when using fresh Salmon or Halibut trimmings for bait.

May 2nd Fished with Ryan,Dave,Gene,and Jimmy again, as we were kept off the water yesterday by unsettled weather. Gene landed a nice 10lb Salmon minutes after dropping the gear near the Sooke Bluffs. We continued to hit winter sized Springs on our troll towards the Trailer Park. We were running a Party Girl spoon and a lime green Oki anchovey teaser behind red Oki Striper flashers at 110 and 115ft on the downriggers. The guys finished the half day morning with a 10lb,6,6,6,and a smaller Spring Salmon and 5 nice Dungeness crabs. Weather was windy,overcast, some rain showers and small choppy water.

May 6th Fished with Denis from East Sooke, for Lingcod, first thing in the morning. Brought two Lings to the boat that were slightly to small to keep, trolling herring in a Super Herring Teaser head. Tried Salmon fishing in the Trap Shack around 9am, slow fishing, saw one fish caught near Secretary Island, between 6 or 7 boats. Trolled to the Harbour Mouth where we picked up a 12lb Halibut on a lime green anchovey teaser head. The fish went crazy and broke the landing net but we still got him.

May 8th Trolled from the Harbour Mouth west with John,Vasco and Daniel from Vancouver, for Spring Salmon. We were using red Oki Striper flashers on both sides, a Rhys Davis red and chrome head, and an Oki lime green/black stripe on the other. John and Daniel liked 113 and 117ft on the downriggers,and it worked well. No strikes until 10am west of Otter Point, had five Salmon hit the gear landing four Springs : 12,13,15,and 15lbs. Great half day morning, flat water, sunny, and first time this year very warm on the water.

May 10th Fishing with Steve and Gilbert from Sooke and Alberta, for Spring Salmon. Started at the Harbour entrance and trolled west towards Sherringham Point, with the gear at 100 to 120 on the downriggers. Landed one smaller Spring Salmon as soon as we started fishing and had two other bites that didn’t hook up. Great day, flat water, some wind, overcast, 6 Dungeness crabs in the traps on the way in.

May 14th Fishing with Jason from Discover Sooke and Nick from Eagle-Eye Outfitters in Sooke. Trolled the Trap Shack from early in the morning, had one strike in the afternoon on the Party Girl spoon that took the line off the downrigger, but it didn’t stick. Flat water in the morning, wind coming up in the afternoon, lots of boats on the water looking for fish, saw one Spring Salmon caught on another boat mid day. Slow day. Six nice Dungeness crabs in the traps on the way in.

May 16th 2REEL2 Bob fished with Wally and his party East of the Sooke Harbour mouth and landed a 7lb Spring Salmon. Slow day, not many seen caught.

May 18th Test fishing with another guide from Sooke Harbour Resort and Marina, we travelled west from the Sooke Harbour mouth, and anchored for some Halibut fishing. In three hours we landed our two smaller Halibut (chickens). I was using pink Radiant double skirt hootchies slid over some nice salmon bellies hooked onto two single “J” hooks. Both Hali’s hooked up on this set up. The bait was off a spreader bar with a 2lb ball all tied to a Shimano Charter Boat Special level wind reel, and 7ft Shimano Talora one piece Halibut rod. Super light, super fun set up. Trolled for Salmon on the way back, hooked into a small wild Spring that we released, and a large Spring that we didn’t see, spat the hooks. Both Salmon hit a Glow Below hootchy trolled behind a Green Mist flasher at 95ft on the downrigger. One nice Crab in the trap on the way in. Great day flat water.

May 19th 2REEL2 Bob was fishing with Allison and her crew from the mainland, trolling west of the Sooke Harbour mouth to Otter Point. They trolled up a great 15lb hatchery Spring at 80ft on the downrigger using a Betsy pattern spoon. Tide has been ebbing strong in the mornings.

May 20th 2REEL2 Bob was fishing with Allison and her crew again aboard 2REEL2, trolling for Salmon up to Sherringham Point. The group landed two more Springs on this trip, 9 and 13lbs. The morning was windy and choppy with the strong ebbing flow out of the harbour mouth, both boats started mid morning , later than usual. Small, strong weather squals came through all day.

May 20th Fished with Henry D. (my father inlaw). Trolled from the Harbour Mouth west to the Trailer Park. Had one strike on the Party Girl spoon at 115ft on the downrigger, that didn’t hook up. Had a better strike on the anchovey trolled in a red and chrome Rhys Davies anchovey special bait head at 105ft on the downrigger infront of the Trailer Park. Henry helped me land a nice 27lb Halibut , (Henry had never seen one caught before). Great fun on the Salmon gear. Weather turned windy and choppy and we headed in shortly after, no further action. One good Crab in the traps on the way in.
May 21st Fished both 2REEL2 and 2REEL this morning with Jim Der and his crew. Jim put two guys on each boat and we trolled for Spring Salmon west of the Sooke Harbour Mouth. Bob and his crew on 2REEL2 had three Salmon strike the gear landing 2 Springs 6 and 7lbs. We had two strikes on 2REEL landing one Salmon 11lbs. Nice sunny morning, with a slightly cool breeze, 4 nice crabs in the traps on the way in.

May 22nd Fished with Kevin and Mark from Sooke and the Prince George area, for Spring Salmon west of the Harbour Mouth towards the Trailer Park. Slow morning didn’t see any Springs caught. Landed one nice Spring Salmon in the afternoon after covering alot of ground/water. Kevin had a great time playing an 8lb Salmon into the net. We were trolling a red and chrome Rhys Davies anchovey special bait head behind a red Striper Oki flasher at 125ft on the downrigger in 125ft of water.

May 23rd Fished with George and Jim from the 21st of May trips again for Salmon. Another slow day of Salmon fishing, Jim landed one 7.5lb Spring Salmon in the morning infront of the Trailer Park, had one other fish strike the gear in the same area, no other fish. The Salmon took the red and chrome anchovey head trolled behind the red Oki Striper flasher. Lots of crabs in the traps on the way in.

Afternoon Fished with Jamie and his 7 year old son Ryan from Courtney/Comox on the Island, for Spring Salmon in the afternoon. Jamie landed one small Spring that we made that night for dinner. No other strikes on the Salmon gear. Had 8 nice Dungeness Crabs in the traps on the way in.

May 24th Fished with Jamie and his son Ryan again this morning for Halibut , travelled west of the Sooke Harbour Mouth over calm water and under sunny morning skies and anchored in 145ft of water. Using Salmon bellies and herring on double “J” hook set ups with Pink and glow Radiant hootchies and the long pink and silver, P-Line hootchy, we landed 3 Halibut 15, 17 and 21 lbs by 11:15am. Great morning, flat water, good action. Had 4 more great Dungeness Crabs in the traps on the way in.

May 26th Fished with Jack,Joanne, and Perry from Sooke and the mainland, in the morning for Spring Salmon and the afternoon for Halibut. Perry and Joanne landed two nice Springs 12 and 10lbs, trolling anchovey in a red and chrome Rhys Davies bait head,and a lime green/glow black stripe Oki bait head, behind red Oki striper flashers at 105 and 115ft on the downrigger. Low winds and good tides made us decide to stay out for Halibut. Between Salmon and Halibut fishing a large pod of whales swam by providing a great show. Using Salmon bellies and pink hootchies in 160ft of water, Perry landed a nice 17lb Halibut

May 28th Fished with guests from Vancouver, Liliano,Vince,Philip and Peter, from the Harbour mouth to Otter Point and West to Sherringham. Hooked into and lost two Spring Salmon between Otter and Sherringham. Landed one small wild Spring and had 4 nice crabs in the traps on the way in.

May 29th Fished with the same crew as yesterday, slow morning, no strikes on our first long troll to Sherringham light house. On the way back to Sooke Harbour we had a couple strikes that did not stick.

Good Fishing, Ron

Fishing report courtesy of 2 Reel Fishing Adventures in Sooke, BC

The weather has been unsettled, which is very typical in this area at this time of year, luckily our weather systems don’t last very long. It’s only windy for a day or two before it settles down enough to fish. Overall it has been a great start to the season with alot of action from decent sized winter hatchery Spring Salmon and very consistant Halibut fishing.

Bait,spoons,and hootchies are attracting strikes from these tasty winter run Salmon, most boats are running the gear deep, 100 to 165ft on the downrigger,but some have picked up the odd nice fish in tight to shore with the gear at 70 or 80ft. Halibut have slowed down a little as well, probably due to the weather, boats have not been able to access the spots. Saw one 20lb Halibut come in to Sooke Harbour Resort and Marina today, from a charter boat that was out fishing for Halibut.

March 4th Fishing with Sylvain and Eric from Quebec and Victoria for winter Salmon infront of the Harbour mouth and west, past Otter Point. Trolling anchovey and the Party Girl spoon at 110 to 125ft on the downrigger, we had at least 7 strikes on the gear and landed 4 smaller winter Spring Salmon around 5lbs. Weather was good, sun and low winds made for a great day of fishing.

March 11th Fished with Bob from 2REEL2 for Halibut in the morning west of Otter Point for 4 hours in the morning didn’t get any strikes. Started Salmon fishing and had a nice 10lb hatchery Spring Salmon in the boat in 20 minutes. We were trolling a Ghost Shrimp hootchy behind a red flasher at 118ft on the downrigger. Had some nice crabs in the trap as well.

March 12th Fishing for Salmon with Cam and Melissa from Sooke, for Spring Salmon. Had two Spring Salmon hit the gear, Cam landed one 10lb’er. We were trolling anchovey at 120ft on the downrigger in a glow pattern Krippled anchovey Special behind a Gold Betsy flasher.

March 14th Fishing with David and Jim on “High Noon” a private boat out of Sooke Harbour Resort and Marina, for Halibut West of the Sooke Harbour Mouth. Way West. Anchored in 180ft of water, landed three Halibut and had one other bite that didn’t hook up. On the anchor for probably 5 to 6 hours, using herring and pink hootchies, and lots of Butt Juice scent.

March 15th Fishing with staff from the Sooke Harbour Resort and Marina; Ashley, Richelle, and Chelsea. Trolled for Salmon, started early morning at the Harbour Mouth, Ashley hooked into and landed a nice 20lb Halibut on a green anchovey teaser head with a black stripe on top, trolled at 125ft on the downrigger. Her first fish ever. Had a Salmon strike that didn’t hook up, and then Richelle played a 12lb hatchery Spring Salmon into the net. We had a BBQ back at the Resort with the catches from two other charter boats that caught 3 or 4 salmon each. Great day, calm water, lots of action for this time of year.

March 16th Fished with Charlie,Bernie and his Son Eric for Salmon from the Sooke Harbour Mouth to West of Otter Point. Very slow morning for action, only had three Salmon strike the gear. Eric played a nice 10lb Spring Salmon to the boat, trolling a new Rhys Davis Purple Haze anchovey head, which we were trolling at 125ft on the downrigger. This was close to the Harbour Mouth and near the end of our trip, the water had become choppy and the weather windy. Lots of crabs in the traps on the way in.

March 23rd Trolling for Salmon with Mike, Mike and Karla from Alberta. Chinook Salmon was our target species as we started fishing the Trap Shack early morning with the anchovies down at 110 and 120ft on the downrigger. Mike (younger) soon had a good fight on his gear with a nice 10lb Spring he landed, on a new bullet role Purple Haze stripe,Rhys Davis head. His first ever Pacific Salmon. We had another bite that didn’t hook up at the same time. After alot of trolling and water covered (older) Mike hooked into another good Salmon infront of the Trailer Park, at 120ft on the downrigger using a green anchovey head with a black stripe on top. Flat water and sunny skies, Salmon , and lots of crabs in the traps on the way in.

March 30th Fishing with Ron,Joanne, and Chrystal from 100 Mile House. Trolling for Salmon in the Trap Shack. Landed three Springs from 7:30 to 10am, then went Halibut fishing and had one grab on off the Trailer Park, but it got off on the way up. Went back to Salmon fishing and landed two more Springs from the Bluffs to the Harbour Mouth, we ended up with 5 Springs ; 5,5,10,10, and an awesome 17lbs. All hatchery Spring Salmon. We were trolling anchovey in green and chrome, and straight chrome teaser heads behind red and gold Betsy flashers at 105 to 120ft on the downriggers. Four good sized Crabs in the Traps on the way in.

March 31st Fished with Jim, Wendy, Audie, and Bruce for Spring Salmon early morning in the Trap Shack. Started the morning with a huge strike that resulted in a wild Spring we had to release, which we estimated to be 18 to 20lbs. Continued to troll anchovey in the Trap Shack area with the gear at 105 to 120ft on the downriggers, chrome and red and chrome and green teaser heads trolled behind red and gold betsy flashers worked well. Landed 5 Springs total; 7,10,12,12,and 14.5lbs, great action, good sized fish for March.

April 3rd Fished with Ron and Don from the mainland, for winter Spring Salmon in the Trap Shack. Couldn’t get started until noon as high winds have been hitting the area. Landed three hatchery Springs in the 6 to 8lb range . Don played a huge early wild Spring Salmon to the boat, estimated at 25lbs, that we released. Had a couple of other Salmon strikes that didn’t hook up.

April 5th Fished with John and Tom two brothers, one from Victoria and the other from Ontario, in the Trap Shack for Salmon. Tom played and landed a nice 13lb Spring . Had a couple of other small Salmon bite that didn’t hook up. Had six Dungeness and two Red Rock crabs in the traps on the way in. Great sunny weather, calm water.

April 10th 2REEL2 Father and Son Randy and Kirk were treated to fishing on 2REEL2 with Bob, in the Trap Shack for Spring Salmon. The guys landed two Springs 12 and 6lbs, trolling a Party Girl (quickly becoming my favorite) spoon at 110ft on the downrigger,out off the Trap in 270ft of water. No other bites to report but calm water made for a great half day morning trip.

April 12th Fishing with good friend and guest Denis west of Sherringham Point for Ling Cod and other bottom fish. Bottom fishing was slow, we switched up to Salmon and soon had one close to the boat that got away. Denis landed a nice 9lb winter Spring Salmon, and we had one other bite that didn’t hook up. We were trolling medium sized anchovey in glow and red and chrome, Rhys Davis heads at 120ft on the downrigger. We started our trip at noon and fished flat water until sunset, the air temperature was noticably higher by a few degrees
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April 15th Fishing with Barry,Eli, and Darren from Victoria and Ontario for Salmon in the morning in the Trap Shack. Lots of action with the gear at 110 to 115ft on the downrigger trolling anchovey in glow and red and chrome heads. Landed three nice Spring Salmon 20,7.5 and 5lbs. Anchored at a Halibut spot 5 minutes from the Harbour mouth, using Salmon a belly and pink and glow double skirt hootchies, Barry landed a 33.5 lb Halibut after about an hour of fishing. Great fishing, flat calm sunny weather, anf 4 Dungeness Crabs in the traps obn the way in.

April 16th Fished with local recording artist Langdon Auger and Doug, had a slower morning in the Trap Shack. Four Salmon hit the gear landing one small Spring Salmon. Pulled two big Dungeness Crabs out of the Traps on the way in.
April 17th Fished the early morning with Denis from East Sooke. We trolled anchovey at Sherringham Point for Spring Salmon at 110 and 115ft on the downrigger. Had a few bites that didn’t hook up, and landed two Spring Salmon 6lbs each. Had three Crabs in the traps on the way in. Flat water, some rain showers, no wind.

April 19th Fished this afternoon, 2pm start time, in the Trap Shack with Shawn from Fairmont Hotsprings. No strikes on the gear. Flat calm warm sunny weather to start, wind blew strong out of the West by 6pm. Four good crabs in the traps on the way in.

April 30th Fished with Ryan,Gene,Jimmy and Dave from the main land in the Trap Shack for Spring Salmon. Rough water and cool winds took its toll on 2Reel2′s guests, sending them back to the dock, while we held out aboard 2Reel with no strikes, no fish. Took a couple of nice crabs out of the traps on the way in. Saw one Spring Salmon caught on another boat around 19lbs.

May 2nd Fished with Ryan,Dave,Gene,and Jimmy again, as we were kept off the water yesterday by unsettled weather. Gene landed a nice 10lb Salmon minutes after dropping the gear near the Sooke Bluffs. We continued to hit winter sized Springs on our troll towards the Trailer Park. We were running a Party Girl spoon and a lime green Oki anchovey teaser behind red Oki Striper flashers at 110 and 115ft on the downriggers. The guys finished the half day morning with a 10lb,6,6,6,and a smaller Spring Salmon and 5 nice Dungeness crabs. Weather was windy,overcast, some rain showers and small choppy water.

Good Fishing, Ron

One boat from Sooke Harbour Resort and Marina reported doing very well on a factory second; glow,orange and green flasher he got from Eagle-Eye Outfitters, for $7.99.(No kidding). The local slow down over the last couple of days could be due to the huge amount of rain that has fallen in the area over the last weeks. Fishing deeper maybe the answer for getting back into the fish if they seem to have disappeared. The 2010 Vancouver Island Salmon Classic Derby hosted by the Sooke Harbour Resort and Marina has been announced and the current teams holding invitations are to confirm thier intentions by the end of January, or new teams will be added to the list of entrants. New for the derby this year is a fourth and fifth prize: $10,000.00 and a ticket into the 2011 event respectively. Check out the website for details, on this and the Canadian Girls in Gear Fishing edition Calender. www.salmonclassic.ca

Dec.3rd Morning Fished with John and Gavin from Sooke and Fort McMurray Alberta, on a sunny flat morning outside the Sooke Harbour Mouth. Trolling for winter Spring Salmon was VERY GOOD with strikes every few minutes, the guys were kept busy playing Salmon . Releasing the smallest fish we still limited out by noon. Had three nice Crabs in the traps on the way in. We trolled glow hootchies behind green Magna Glow and Silver Betsy flashers at 125 and 135ft on the downriggers. The deep water off the South tip of Secretary Is. was the most productive, with lots of bait showing on the sounder, and fish under them.

Dec.3rd Afternoon Fished with my wife Erin and friend Neil for some winter Spring Salmon for Christmas. Since the water stayed flat and the fish were biting non stop, we decided to go back to the same spot as the morning and picked up 4 more Salmon for ourselves. Had another 3 good sized Crabs in the traps on the way in. Ran the same gear at the same depths, it didn’t seem to matter that the tide had changed and was now going out.

Dec.12th Fished with a friend Neil off of Secretary Is. for winter spring (feeder springs) Salmon. The action was non-stop, trolling a green Magna Glow ,and a white flasher with a number 500 road runner spoon and a Purple Haze hootchie. By noon we had our limit of Springs in the 6 to 7 lb range. We were trolling the gear deep (125 to 140ft) but found some good action close to the reef off the south tip of the Island. Overcast skies, flat water, great morning for action.

Dec.15th Fishing with Kyle and Christina from Edmonton AB. off Secretary Is. for winter feeder Chinook Salmon . Started fishing around noon and Salmon were biting consistently on glow white and Irish Mist hootchies. Trolling the gear at 125 and 135ft on the downriggers we found the fish in the area between the harbour mouth and the reef off the island, in 100 to 300ft of water. Lots of herring and groups of seagulls and diving birds feeding to indicate where the Salmon were also feeding. Some rain and cool wind coming from the North East, lots of action.

Dec.16th Fishing with the same crew as yesterday, we came around the corner of Whiffen Spit to a flat calm morning. Again the action on Springs was good off the Island, using a glow white hootchie and a Wonder Bread spoon at the same depths. Saw seals, a curious sea lion came up behind the boat, and alot of seabirds feeding on herring ball ups, two Eagles sat and watched the action from on top of Secertary Is. We limited on Salmon by noon and had three nice Crabs in the traps on the way back in. Flat water, low winds in the morning, lots of rain.

Dec.27th Trolling for winter Spring Salmon with Kevin and his wife Susan from England, water was flat and skies sunny over the Strait of Juan De Fuca. The couple played 10 to 12 Salmon landing 4 of the largest which were in the 5-6lb range. The fish seemed to be concentrated on the reef off the South tip of Secretary Island, and we had most of our action trolling spoons and hootchies at 125 to 135ft on the downriggers. Had 3 nice crabs in the traps on the way in.

Dec.28th Fishing with Nick from EAGLE-EYE OUTFITTERS in Sooke. We trolled up 2 winter Springs for him to send to relatives back home, and released 4 or five smaller ones. Tried a few new combo’s but found a Party Girl spoon and a Silver Betsy flasher to attract some good action off the reef at Secretary Is. We were trolling the gear at 100 to 135ft on the downriggers.Spotted a pod of Orca whales off the Sooke Harbour entrance in the morning headed East towards Victoria. Pulled 3 nice crabs out of the traps on the way back in. Saw a 15lb Halibut on the dock at the cleaning station which came in from a local spot. Weather was good with light winds out of the East and partly sunny skies, water was flat.
Dec.30th Fishing with Steve,Margot and her Son Sam off the Sooke Harbour entrance, for winter Spring Salmon. The wind was down and there were some great sunny periods, and warm temperatures. The bait was being harassed by seagulls, thick off Possession Point. Six or eight boats in the area, everyone was catching Salmon, three charter boats in the area limited out. We landed our limit of Springs in the 5 to 7lb range. There were larger Spring Salmon caught, saw a 14, a couple in the 10lb range, and small Halibut that was trolled up near Otter Point, at the Sooke Harbour Marina dock.

Jan.4th Fishing with Nick from Eagle-Eye Outfitters in Sooke and Henry D., we trolled the harbour entrance and Secretary Island for winter Spring Salmon. Using silver or chrome spoons we quickly had action on Chinooks from 5 to 10lbs at 125ft on the downriggers. The Glow Below hootchy also worked well for us. Tide was ebbing until noon and wind was from the North East, making conditions a little cool, but the water was flat and the fish were biting. We took our limit (6 Springs) by about 2pm. No crabs in the traps, probably due to the out going tide all morning.

Jan.9th Fished this morning with Bill D. for winter springs infront of the harbour mouth. Slower fishing this morning with less fish striking the gear, and smaller Salmon coming to the boat on average. Released four or five Salmon that were too small. Landed two Springs worth keeping trolling the glow below hootchy behind a silver betsy flasher, at 125 to 135ft. Noticebly less bait in the area, no birds or clouds on the sounder. The Party Girl spoon trolled behind the green/glow Magna Glow flasher, did just as well as the hootchy combination, but not better. Nice flat water, counted 20 boats in the area, stayed fairly dry as the rain showers stayed away.
Jan.12th Fished the day with Leo, for winter Salmon off the Sooke harbour mouth, towards Secretary Is. Much slower day, only counted two or three Salmon strikes on the gear, nothing hooked up. No fish.

Jan.16th Fished a slow day with Bill, Kevin and Chris, trolling spoons and hootchies from Secretary Is. to the Trailer Park. Weather was good, slight wind, water was good all day, no Salmon strikes, alot of small cod hitting the gear. We had a nice rock cod off the Island but had to release it.

Good Fishing, Ron

For more information on the Sooke area, please visit the Official Discover Sooke website.