2025 Nanaimo Reports

[Rain City]

So apparently Sockeye opens in area 17 (among others) on Saturday. I've only ever fished them in Alberni Inlet. Is there an actual strategy to finding them off Nanaimo, other than slow and lots of flash? Never really considered then as an option around here before now, and just picture trolling around blindly looking.

When you no longer see bottom on your finder. They're there.

 

[dmack]

I noticed a distinct lack of hits on the 6" plugs and most of the stomach contents was smaller herring to about 5". We were fishing a tubby on one side and a regular on the other and got springs on both, but I would say the tubby with pin pulled outfished the regular side.

But man is it fun to play big fish on plugs!

Most of the time it seems to involve reeling like crazy until they get near the boat then they wake up and go nuts. Very different from fighting fish deep on a flasher.
I did want to add one thing to my report the other night... While I know we've all seen some strange things at the ramp, I do appreciate that the vast majority of people are trying to be efficient and courteous. One guy had to back up a bit for me to get parked and another stayed back to let me out of my parking space near the boat wash. Thanks to those (and it's most of us) who are trying to make the ramp work for everyone.

 

[Poppa Reelie]

I caught them running across from Parksville to Texada 15 years ago or more and got into them from a buddys intel. Was just a random migration I thinkg...So not sure if they swim down Parksville/Nanaimo side of strait. Keeping ears open.

 

[chille51]

When you no longer see bottom on your finder. They're there.

I'm
having that feeling where you think you might be getting picked fun of but you're not quite sure how or why

 

[Rain City]

I'm
having that feeling where you think you might be getting picked fun of but you're not quite sure how or why

Do I seem like the joking type?

 

[Howzer]

Anyone here ever fish for sockeye around Nanaimo?

 

[Aces]

Do I seem like the joking type?

Yes

 

[Sir Reel]

This is what Sockeye on the sounder looks like. We are in 300+ feet of water and sounder can’t see bottom.
Near China Creek