2024 OFFISHALL Vancouver-Howe Sound-Sechelt Reports Thread

[Aces]

Sadly, that’s very true.

Wasn’t just the chum fishermen

 

[Shineyshiney]

This thread is starting to veer into the fisheries politics area. I know the bulk of the season is in the rearview mirror, but people come to these threads in the future via the archives to see what was happening from a reports perspective and don't want to wade through off topic content. Perhaps a thread in the Conservation/Politics section would be more apporpriate.

Thanks,

Brian

In other news- how were the gale winds today?

 

[FishDoc]

Good job for the first round! Well rounded and not too much filler. I too enjoy podcasts, though haven’t found much that’s applicable to BC fishing and an enjoyable listen (I’ve tried to listen to the addicted crew in Washington and it is not worth my time). Would be great to get into some of the more technical aspects in future renditions if possible as well.

Thanks, yeah that sounds like what I would like to do is make some technical ones as well. I put a couple more up on the Vedder river fishing. I'll be adding more as I can. Subscribe for more BC friendly content.

 

[sweettjim]

anyone been out fishing sandheads or off bowen?

 

[Shineyshiney]

Thanks, yeah that sounds like what I would like to do is make some technical ones as well. I put a couple more up on the Vedder river fishing. I'll be adding more as I can. Subscribe for more BC friendly content.

I subd! Good content

 

[JKOZAK]

I subd! Good content

I listened to this as well and enjoyed. Maybe another future episode about where fishing can be done year round now that we are in the off season (techniques, gear, depths) etc. I’m going to learn more about bottom fishing next year and would appreciate any content on that as well. Great job fishdoc.

 

[CohoOn]

Contemplating some winter fishing this year as well after perhaps the monsoon season subsides in January. What's the potential for losing a lot of gear in the harbor bottom bouncing. Doesn't appear to have long stretches of consistent depth and therefore constant adjusting of downriggers is going to be an issue? Couple of lost 15 lb balls will make it hardly worth it.
Absolutely necessary to be right on bottom?

 

[JKOZAK]

I struggle with the same thing. Those 15 pound balls are really expensive. But I do believe that those feeders are almost always near the bottom during these months so it’s an inherent risk. One thing I did to tighten up my process a little bit is to start using the Garmin Navionics boating app. It’s not cheap but it’s very useful for understanding the contours in tricky spots like Grace, waterfall, or Hutt. So you know when you are about to shallow up and can pull up your gear in advance. Here is one of the screen shots.

 

[sherrett]

I've fished winter chinooks for 4 years locally and would say I've learned:
• 18 lb cannonballs are way better than 15 lb (give you more accuracy on depth and mean you can get down 200'+)
• braid on the rigger keeps you from losing those cannonballs (but you will still lose them occasionally)
• being close to bottom is great but within ~10% is what most guides use (so in the bottom 20' at 200' depth) since fish can see and hunt forward, side to side and up, but not down
• Navionics is 90% great but not a substitute for experience on a tack – you'll find bottom contours can be different than they're drawn
• watch out for the seals at Grace!

 

[Ringo]

I've fished winter chinooks for 4 years locally and would say I've learned:
• 18 lb cannonballs are way better than 15 lb (give you more accuracy on depth and mean you can get down 200'+)
• braid on the rigger keeps you from losing those cannonballs (but you will still lose them occasionally)
• being close to bottom is great but within ~10% is what most guides use (so in the bottom 20' at 200' depth) since fish can see and hunt forward, side to side and up, but not down
• Navionics is 90% great but not a substitute for experience on a tack – you'll find bottom contours can be different than they're drawn
• watch out for the seals at Grace!

Great points here.
Ghost traps in the harbor are a real thing and have given me a lot of grief in the past. I’d avoid fishing the bottom if you’re on the east side of the bell. Usually it’s safer on the north side of the red can and closer to the QA where there is less river currents and not as many seals around. Good luck!

 

[Shineyshiney]

I've fished winter chinooks for 4 years locally and would say I've learned:
• 18 lb cannonballs are way better than 15 lb (give you more accuracy on depth and mean you can get down 200'+)
• braid on the rigger keeps you from losing those cannonballs (but you will still lose them occasionally)
• being close to bottom is great but within ~10% is what most guides use (so in the bottom 20' at 200' depth) since fish can see and hunt forward, side to side and up, but not down
• Navionics is 90% great but not a substitute for experience on a tack – you'll find bottom contours can be different than they're drawn
• watch out for the seals at Grace!

Thanks for the great points- Were you using the 1106 or 2106 for the 18lb?

 

[Sea Chaser]

Sure tempting to get the boat out this weekend . Wonder where the fish are hiding now.

 

[Sea Chaser]

Thanks for the great points- Were you using the 1106 or 2106 for the 18lb?

I wouldn’t use 18 with 1106 . Pushing the envelopes for sure

 

[Alex_c]

Remember to upgrade to some stainless spools for @ship happens before bottom trolling for chinook this winter. They could be the difference between losing all your gear to a ghost trap or being able to recover without blowing up a spool.

 

[Brett83]

I personally bounce off the bottom all day with 18s and the high power riggers. I use stainless straight to a large swivel. No snubbed. I set the pull out tension to 35 pounds. So when I occasionally snag, the rigger retracts, I stop the boat and and rarely lose a ball.

 

[sherrett]

Thanks for the great points- Were you using the 1106 or 2106 for the 18lb?

1106s. I haven't had any trouble with them. But when I replace them I'll move up to the bigger motors.

 

[ab1752]

I just barely set the brake on the 2106, so if it kisses something hard right away there's line available to let out, ideally keeping it a bit more slack before lodging into a tight spot. Only 18lb cannonballs, and I've only lost 2 in the past years, both due to failed scotty swivels. I change that terminal gear out annually now.

If I'm fishing around structure , I always look to shore to see what the rocks are like above water to get a gauge of what the rocks look like below. If its nice and smooth, I don't give it much more thought and smash away.

 

[CohoOn]

Great points here.
Ghost traps in the harbor are a real thing and have given me a lot of grief in the past. I’d avoid fishing the bottom if you’re on the east side of the bell. Usually it’s safer on the north side of the red can and closer to the QA where there is less river currents and not as many seals around. Good luck!

 

[CohoOn]

Thanks so much guys for the Intel. I have an older 1101 and 1106 and I'm assuming there's no drag adjustment on those except for as one of you mentioned just perhaps half engaging the break as someone mentioned?
And I assume if you catch bottom and the downriggers letting line out you'll see your rod tip release out of the clip?

 

[Aquaholic]

Thanks so much guys for the Intel. I have an older 1101 and 1106 and I'm assuming there's no drag adjustment on those except for as one of you mentioned just perhaps half engaging the break as someone mentioned?
And I assume if you catch bottom and the downriggers letting line out you'll see your rod tip release out of the clip?

Your rod tip usually starts to bounce first when the cannonball hits bottom, plus the downrigger arm will too to some degree.