2024 Victoria and Oak Bay Reports

[2xeagle16]

Out to Constance yesterday. Fished the NW side, trolling over the anchor chain of one of the big container ships. Ended up with 4 springs up to 73 cm and just over 12 pounds. Lots of tiny needlefish and one big herring in the stomachs. Best depth was 10 feet of the bottom.

 

[Original]

Nice fish 2X. Late start Tuesday launched at noon. Looking for that tug off the waterfront was slow so moved out to the anchored freighters and was quickly into a few nice scraps. 3rd time lucky we netted a nice 63 cm hatch male. Back in by 3pm with only 1 keeper crab. Was so nice to get out on the water and with weather cooperating.

 

[eroyd]

Finally got out to Constance Bank. First time so was glad I wasn't alone. Within 5 mins of trolling hauled up a ~20 Lb halibut. Bit of a task on a light trolling rod. Too bad they are closed. Salmon were pretty regular, mostly small but got a few in the 6-10lb range and lost a better fish at the net. Low teens. Blue and silver Skinny G, 6' behind and above the dummy flasher worked best today. Limits of crabs.

Question: My biggest salmon this Fall have hit when I have popped the dr clip and reeling in my gear spoon. (no flasher). Three times in the last two months. What is this telling me? Trolling too deep, to slow?

 

[N2013]

Finally got out to Constance Bank. First time so was glad I wasn't alone. Within 5 mins of trolling hauled up a ~20 Lb halibut. Bit of a task on a light trolling rod. Too bad they are closed. Salmon were pretty regular, mostly small but got a few in the 6-10lb range and lost a better fish at the net. Low teens. Blue and silver Skinny G, 6' behind and above the dummy flasher worked best today. Limits of crabs.

Question: My biggest salmon this Fall have hit when I have popped the dr clip and reeling in my gear spoon. (no flasher). Three times in the last two months. What is this telling me? Trolling too deep, to slow?

I feel that it is just a change in the lure’s action that is causing the bite. Almost like a reactionary bite, maybe not so much activly feeding ? . I think fish follow our gear a lot but don’t always attack for whatever reason. I noticed it a lot with coho this fall. I’d mark fish and run my gear right into them, if I didn’t get bit, I’d bring my gear up or down 5’, trying to cause a bite. Or make a sudden turn. Sometimes worked. I also increase the bends in my skinny g’s, making their action more erratic.

 

[DuroBoat]

I feel that it is just a change in the lure’s action that is causing the bite. Almost like a reactionary bite, maybe not so much activly feeding ? . I think fish follow our gear a lot but don’t always attack for whatever reason. I noticed it a lot with coho this fall. I’d mark fish and run my gear right into them, if I didn’t get bit, I’d bring my gear up or down 5’, trying to cause a bite. Or make a sudden turn. Sometimes worked. I also increase the bends in my skinny g’s, making their action more erratic.

100%

 

[scott craven]

Question: My biggest salmon this Fall have hit when I have popped the dr clip and reeling in my gear spoon. (no flasher). Three times in the last two months. What is this telling me? Trolling too deep, to slow?

I think they will follow it at times without striking, however when the spoon starts moving up and away
instinct takes over and they hit it before it disappears.

 

[eroyd]

I think they will follow it at times without striking, however when the spoon starts moving up and away
instinct takes over and they hit it before it disappears.

I think that is it in a nutshell. They did follow it up quite a way, almost to the surface. Was wondering if they were more confident hitting a spoon when it was away from all the other junk. Spooky in clear Fal/Winterl water? Anyways, a lot of fun when they strike and the rod is in hand.

I hear the Gap produced at least one decent spring yesterday.

 

[scott craven]

I've had the rigger all the way up and a spring hammer the spoon just as it stopped ...
Game on !

 

[Original]

Got out Friday for an aft float 11-3. Had one in the tub within the first few mins off Sax pt 100ft of water. Headed out to the freighter and was kept busy going through the smaller ones to get another decent one. Some nice hard crabs on a short soak. I’d been kept off the water because of my pos Ford truck throwing codes. Finally a $8 spark plug boot seems to have cured it.
Re triggering a bite; I was bringing my side up slowly kinda jigging it and the other side went off. This has happened on a few occasions.

 

[eroyd]

Out at Constance today. Slower for me than last week with only five chinooks, two of which were in the 6lb range and the rest smaller. Other boats seemed to be doing about the same. Bait seemed thinned out. Heard of a few fish caught off the Colwood anchorage.

 

[SeaSaw]

Made it out Sunday with some coworkers from out of town, 1130 departure. Dropped the traps, and headed out to Constance. Picked up a feeder spring for dinner - cop car spoon with a silver/pink flasher in 75ft of water and 80ft on the line, just as one of the crew started turning green. Headed back to find 2 of the 4 traps loaded with some great crabs. A short shift on the water left me wanting more, but it was nice to be home to clean the boat in the daylight.

 

[eroyd]

A rare day off during the week. Thought I'd try Oak bay. After forgetting to undo the boat straps, and then chasing the seagulls up the big rock to recover my stolen lunch I was off. Gave the flats a good rub but nothing until I pulled my gear up to leave. A fish pounded the naked spoon just as it neared the surface but was off shortly after. Weird how this keeps happening. Tried trolling shallow and fast for a while but nothing.

Over at the gap for the start of the ebb. First lap got a scrappy 72 cm hatchery, and that was it. Not a lot of bait around.

Three good crabs out of one trap at Willows.

 

[Northfish]

Finally got out to Constance Bank. First time so was glad I wasn't alone. Within 5 mins of trolling hauled up a ~20 Lb halibut. Bit of a task on a light trolling rod. Too bad they are closed. Salmon were pretty regular, mostly small but got a few in the 6-10lb range and lost a better fish at the net. Low teens. Blue and silver Skinny G, 6' behind and above the dummy flasher worked best today. Limits of crabs.

Question: My biggest salmon this Fall have hit when I have popped the dr clip and reeling in my gear spoon. (no flasher). Three times in the last two months. What is this telling me? Trolling too deep, to slow?

Agreed on the erratic action triggering hits. One of the reasons I fish wood plugs every outing is the unpredictability due to being hand made and asymmetrical. Presentations that don't offer any variation of movement catch 10% of the fish of an erratic presentation in my experience!

 

[Original]

Got out for some therapy this aft. Stayed in close sax to green can had big hit and scrap but spit the hook. I love winter fishing weather. You just never know what may happen. Sunny with a rainbow was an omen of the hit about to happen.
Landed a feisty 70cm wild gal.

 

[Aces]

I feel that it is just a change in the lure’s action that is causing the bite. Almost like a reactionary bite, maybe not so much activly feeding ? . I think fish follow our gear a lot but don’t always attack for whatever reason. I noticed it a lot with coho this fall. I’d mark fish and run my gear right into them, if I didn’t get bit, I’d bring my gear up or down 5’, trying to cause a bite. Or make a sudden turn. Sometimes worked. I also increase the bends in my skinny g’s, making their action more erratic.

Speed changes are an effective tool in the box

 

[PilotAndy]

Not a fishing report, but looking for a fishing buddy Victoria area.
My 39 foot Bayliner and tender is winter moored at Gabriola island.
I am suffering from withdrawal symptoms and hoping to find someone who needs a partner to go fishing this winter around here.
I will certainly share in gas money etc , have all my own gear and could also reciprocate in the summer if you want to join me fishing Trasher area.

 

[JWS]

Not a fishing report, but looking for a fishing buddy Victoria area.
My 39 foot Bayliner and tender is winter moored at Gabriola island.
I am suffering from withdrawal symptoms and hoping to find someone who needs a partner to go fishing this winter around here.
I will certainly share in gas money etc , have all my own gear and could also reciprocate in the summer if you want to join me fishing Trasher area.

Doesn’t help you in Vic, but reach out if you want to get out around Gabriola. I live here and also have a boat.