No, we dropped the traps literally right in front of my in laws place in Mcneill. They kept an eye on them while we went fishing!
2024 Port McNeill, Telegragh Cove Reports
- Thread starter SFBC
- Start date
One more morning on the water up here before we load up the boat and head home, and the wife managed one more hali:
Weather not as nice as yesterday for sure. There was a couple hour window that it was not pissing rain and water conditions were acceptable for my little 17 footer. Or as the wife called it looking at the patch of blue in the sky as we headed out... a "sucker hole". Well, we made it count and headed back with this behind us. Got the boat tied off and stowed just before the skies opened, like we planned it that way.
Weather not as nice as yesterday for sure. There was a couple hour window that it was not pissing rain and water conditions were acceptable for my little 17 footer. Or as the wife called it looking at the patch of blue in the sky as we headed out... a "sucker hole". Well, we made it count and headed back with this behind us. Got the boat tied off and stowed just before the skies opened, like we planned it that way.
sam_n_leo
Active Member
We got out Saturday, gave the anchor/bait thing a try out by Numas Bank, on a good looking hump 290-310 feet. 3 hours on the hook without a nibble was all I could take of that so we went in shallower towards the mainland (outside of the RCAs) and got out the jigs. We had more luck with that, getting a couple of chickens and generally more action. I was hoping to give salmon a try in the open area up Wells but the only action my downriggers got was descending a big pumpkin my son got, to both of our surprise.
Jean Paul Carufo
Active Member
Haven't fished McNeill for years. Started there in a 14' tin boat with a 25hp and 7.5 kicker. Was introduced to the area by Mike Roberts (RIP), the designer of the Lucky Jig that GIbbs ripped off with the MudRaker. Anyway, we only fished the Neap tides during the slack current times and wacked the Halibut. We jigged out from Malcom Bay on the 300' ledges, behind Stubbs from 250' to 400', but our favorite was across the face of the Parsons Bay closure area where the drift went from the Red Point side toward the beacon on the little island off Parsons. It was about 250' if I remember right. If you have the Navionics app on your phone, our waypoint from years past is still there. It's called Parson'S Bay Closure Line. Many honest double digit Halibut tides there for just my wife and I bouncing a Lucky Jig with a slice of Octopus. The middle bench seat in that little boat was a fish box and many times we returned to the dock with 4 50# fish that more than filled it with the tails sticking out. Made for a funny picture. We loved that place until the Halibut limits were changed basically to 1. Just too far to go up Island. We had 2 per day, 3 in possession during those times. Made the long drive more than worthwhile. The real secret there is to fish those Quarter Moon Neap Tides during the 2-3 hours of slack current when you can basically bang the bottom straight up and down with a 1# jig. Once the current starts to run again, the bite stops and you are done. About 4 days every two weeks are prime. We learned very early on when that tide changes, the wind starts to blow and Johnston Straight gets really ugly, really fast. A day we fished a little too long that lead to trying to get back to Alder Bay across 4' to 6' wind chop in 20+ knot winds was a quick and lasting lesson. Go home early and wait 6 hours until the next slack current series. Flat and no wind returns too.
There were a couple of other places there we loved too. The wall you ran into on Craycroft as you ran down Blackfish Sound toward Baronet was one. (I just noticed our old mark is there in the app too, as is our Ling mark off Craycroft Point) In August, through the low slack currents, if we were done with Halibut, we would fish the Northern's there. Most in the 20's easily. They hit so hard they would pin the rod where it was literally difficult to get it out of the rod holder. Beautiful fish that looked like white mouthed Springs.
Lastly, the kelp beds off the Donegal Head end of Malcom. Lots of Springs on MacDeeps right in the middle of that kelp that made us crazy. I miss that place. Definitely one of the favorites. jc Tuna Maru
There were a couple of other places there we loved too. The wall you ran into on Craycroft as you ran down Blackfish Sound toward Baronet was one. (I just noticed our old mark is there in the app too, as is our Ling mark off Craycroft Point) In August, through the low slack currents, if we were done with Halibut, we would fish the Northern's there. Most in the 20's easily. They hit so hard they would pin the rod where it was literally difficult to get it out of the rod holder. Beautiful fish that looked like white mouthed Springs.
Lastly, the kelp beds off the Donegal Head end of Malcom. Lots of Springs on MacDeeps right in the middle of that kelp that made us crazy. I miss that place. Definitely one of the favorites. jc Tuna Maru
sam_n_leo
Active Member
The rumours were true! https://www.telegraphcoverealestate.com/telegraph-cove-resort
SpringVelocity
Crew Member
Wow
Paperslayer
New Member
Always had to watch traps like a hawk. We air-tagged a prawn trap with a waterproof tube made to look like a line weight in Beaver Cove, and sure enough when they pulled it, it pinged. They were gone before we could get there, but they were headed to Alert Bay before they tossed the tag.
Eden Island
Well-Known Member
Heading up in 10 days -- hoping for some decent halibut tides, and a few coho and springs. Any current reports appreciated.
Northislandfisher
New Member
Halibut has been really good for us this year,Between us and family coming up we probably but 20 in the boat,as for springs they don’t open around McNeill till the 15 but heard good reports of quite a few around
Buckethead905
Well-Known Member
Halibut fishing was super good for us this year. We put around 26 in the boat over a one week period (released a lot of small). Usually we hammer one or two near the upper size limit but didn’t manage a single fish over 30lbs.. are you finding any size?
Coyote Spooner
Well-Known Member
We spent the long weekend, in the Broughtons. Fished Donegal, Friday morning, on the slack current. Released a couple nice springs and a bunch of coho. Good thing, because the DFO, popped out of nowhere, and we got inspected. Everything checked out and we chatted with them for a few minutes. Got to admire their new Titan RIB with twin 425hp Yami’s. Beautiful machine!!
We spent a couple nights on the hook, near Cramer Pass, and fished a couple mornings on the high slack. Hooked up with about 10 springs, biggest was 26lbs, on the tape measure. All were released, as we didn’t have ice to keep them. We were hoping for a hatchery coho for the BBQ. But got a few good pics and memories. The 26 lb was my daughter’s biggest salmon yet. We also stayed at Echo Bay, for a night, and visited Billy’s museum. We found him on the floor in his house. He’d fallen and crawled into the house and couldn’t get up. I’m glad we passed by to help. Of course he was fine and didn’t need anymore help!! He’s 90 but still independent and trying to stay on his property. Sad to see the end of an era, coming to a close.
We spent a couple nights on the hook, near Cramer Pass, and fished a couple mornings on the high slack. Hooked up with about 10 springs, biggest was 26lbs, on the tape measure. All were released, as we didn’t have ice to keep them. We were hoping for a hatchery coho for the BBQ. But got a few good pics and memories. The 26 lb was my daughter’s biggest salmon yet. We also stayed at Echo Bay, for a night, and visited Billy’s museum. We found him on the floor in his house. He’d fallen and crawled into the house and couldn’t get up. I’m glad we passed by to help. Of course he was fine and didn’t need anymore help!! He’s 90 but still independent and trying to stay on his property. Sad to see the end of an era, coming to a close.
Eden Island
Well-Known Member
We were in that same area a few weeks ahead of you. We often anchor on Eden Island or a the mouth of Booker Lagoon. Both Echo Bay and Sullivan Bay have block ice, sometimes party. Lagoon Cove too, although I haven't checked lately. We've had some nice springs there in past few years -- 20 to 30 lbs, and one over 30 we had to release.
Coyote Spooner
Well-Known Member
We were in that area June 6-12. Must have missed you. We anchored in a cove on Eden Island too. Visited Billy then too. I think ice is $8/bag at Echo Bay. We usually get ice at Boatland on the way and it lasts up to a week. It would be nice if PM had better fishing support. Like a processor and salt ice. I fished out of Hardy, the second week of June, and it was nice to have those options.
Northislandfisher
New Member
Got 3 over the 120cm one being 126cm but haven’t hooked/released any oversize this year yet. Was out at Bere point trolling this morning but nothing too exciting.
Eden Island
Well-Known Member
We were just on a short shakedown June 5-7, launching out of McNeill. The lack of processing there is a pain - we used to get our fish processed on Malcolm Island - the guy would pick up and deliver at the dock and did a great job - custom labelling every fish. Since he's gone, we've been driving fish to Hardy Buoys from McNeill once or twice a trip, but it really disrupts the boating rhythm.
Coyote Spooner
Well-Known Member
To add to my fish report. We were fishing white glo hootchies at 78 and 88. Tried a spoon on one side, but switched back to hootchies, on both sides.
Jean Paul Carufo
Active Member
You are right on the Neap. Current series is perfect. In looking at Pierce Passage at Cormorant, Friday the 12th, Slacks are 9:25 AM & 3:05 PM; 13th 10:29 AM & 4:05 PM; 14th 11:39 AM & 5:16 PM. Heck, you don't even have to get up early! I really miss MacNeill, especially drifting across the face of Parson's on the closure line. Lots and lots of Halibut there pounding jigs on the bottom. If we finished early and still had some slack water, we would slide around the corner and fish the Craycroft wall for Northerns. First time we ever hooked fish that hit so hard we literally couldn't get the rod our of the rod holder. Enjoy! jc Tuna Maru
Similar threads
