2024 Central Coast Reports

[Samnjoe]

Left Hakai this morning. Up at Spider now. Slow so far for us. A few Coho. No springs. We'll be up in this area for the next few weeks. Beautiful weather. Fishing the head at Rivers on the way home.

 

[CBsqrd]

Same for us. Crossed back south yesterday after a week around Hakai and Spider. Only spring of note we got was on the 27th at the Gap and was about 18 lbs (released) and took a 5” Tomic spoon. Lots of juveniles and shakers. No shortage of coho though up to 12 lbs, and they seemed to be feeding on everything - small (4”) herring mostly, but had one with a large herring, one with a big opal squid and one was jammed full of euphasiid shrimp.

Stopped at Bremner before heading up and was holding plenty of springs and a good grade there.

 

[CBsqrd]

Also... we found bottom fishing was a bit tougher (for the area) this year. Did notice one commercial-looking boat (could have been a gillnetter converted into a cruiser) that spent several days hitting all the pinnacles and humps as it worked its way north which may have been the reason. Found most of our lingcod and halibut in new areas this year.

Needed a few more lingcod on our last day so tried a few spots on the run back to Port MacNeill. Managed to find the lings, but along the way pretty much hit the rockfish grand slam with the following: Vermillion, Yellow Eye, Canary, Quillback, Yellow Tail, Blue, China, Tiger and a Bocaccio. All got sent back to the deep on the descender. Just missing a Black and Copper to check off the list that day.

 

[myles]

Fishing in millbanke has been consistent last 5 days.

Bottom fish excellent just need the weather gaps as I'm in a 12'11" 6'10" boat.

Springs mostly peanuts with a few bigger ones in the mix. Too many coho, burning up my bait but they are fun way to pass the time.

Overall typical fishing for this time of yr, you have to work hard put in the time and things will happen. Definitely not lights out for Springs but they are around.

 

[Bottomfeeder1]

Fishing in millbanke has been consistent last 5 days.

Bottom fish excellent just need the weather gaps as I'm in a 12'11" 6'10" boat.

Springs mostly peanuts with a few bigger ones in the mix. Too many coho, burning up my bait but they are fun way to pass the time.

Overall typical fishing for this time of yr, you have to work hard put in the time and things will happen. Definitely not lights out for Springs but they are around.

Beautiful fish !!!!!!

 

[Buddha]

Just got back from a trip to Bella Bella. Got some intel from a Forum member that things were better on the Seaforth sides versus running south. Thursday was changeover day at King Pacific Lodge so headed to Cheney and fished the whole area with way less boats. Very active day with lots of quality chinook in the 15-23lb range with coho in the 7-12 lb range. Had to double down and headed there Friday as well with pretty much the same results. We hung a hoochie and spoon the whole time and both were equally effective. That has to be in my top 3 favourite TACs all time. We could have easily tubbed out both days but called it early both days when we had enough fish. Last day was our fly out day and instead of fishing we ran out to the ghost village of Namu to check it out. Glad we did it but won’t be doing that again. Such a beautiful part of the world and tough to see what happens when things just get abandoned. Packed out 2 quality chinook and coho each and rebooked for next year.

 

[Keith Brown]

Is there any fish depots in Port Hardy and Bella Bella? or any where in between.

Might be a dumb question but, I want to extend my trip and do some exploring and dont want to have to deal with my fish.

I stayed over night in Shearwater last week and they asked if we would like are fish processed. We had two yeti coolers full off saltwater ice so I didn't get anything process but I think they can vacupac and freeze. I'm not sure if the what else they can do. Call the Shearwater resort they can fill you in or it could have been the harbour master at Shearwater

 

[Samnjoe]

We fished 3 days at Cheney a few days ago. Much slower than in previous years.

 

[the force]

Fishing in millbanke has been consistent last 5 days.

Bottom fish excellent just need the weather gaps as I'm in a 12'11" 6'10" boat.

Springs mostly peanuts with a few bigger ones in the mix. Too many coho, burning up my bait but they are fun way to pass the time.

Overall typical fishing for this time of yr, you have to work hard put in the time and things will happen. Definitely not lights out for Springs but they are around.

That’s a wicked looking 12 footer, boat control would be soo easy! Nice lings too

 

[myles]

That’s a wicked looking 12 footer, boat control would be soo easy! Nice lings too

Yah it's the 1st trip with the unit. It's very fishy unless it's blowing over 15 knots. Trolls cut plugs very well. Happy with results so far with the grade of fish being caught.