RiverBoy
Well-Known Member
no. on the other side of camel rock
2025 Nootka Sound/Esperanza Inlet Reports
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Bonker43
Active Member
By the oyster farm
Bonker43
Active Member
Usually from critter cove down to mocha bay
Trophy 2000
Member
Possibly meaning Three Cove Bay
adbk
Member
Nootka fish like any inlet/sound returning fish are not really all that predictable. They will move around a lot with the tides, that's the only thing you can really depend on. There are good reasons why they collect in certain spots and just make a habit of checking a few to see where they are. Don't get stuck in any one place if you're not getting hit. Go from wall to hoiss or out to lighthouse, etc... cover ground and you'll eventually put it together. Posting up at the wall day after day won't teach much but evasive maneuvering 
Shallower in the am, deeper mid day, shallower in eve. Fish the tides hard but don't be afraid to try to scratch up a few fish in slack water areas during tide movement, they don't vanish altogether they just push with the tide then hold in gentler water. Worked for us anyways.
Shallower in the am, deeper mid day, shallower in eve. Fish the tides hard but don't be afraid to try to scratch up a few fish in slack water areas during tide movement, they don't vanish altogether they just push with the tide then hold in gentler water. Worked for us anyways.Esperanza-time
Member
Gill nets go in tonight(Nootka)
Think their only aloud 170 fish per boat, but there’s a lot of boats!
Think their only aloud 170 fish per boat, but there’s a lot of boats!
Doubleheader
Well-Known Member
I’ve ran over 1600 gallons of Esperanza fuel through my rig this summer, haven’t had to drain my racor yet. It can happen that just after tanks get filled that it stirs up some water if you fuel right after. 1600gallons in 70 days on the water and there might be 50 ml of water in my float bowl. If it were me I’d be looking at the vent to see if there’s water intrusion there.
Cheers
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Thankyou. I was afraid of that.
saanauk
Well-Known Member
I fill up at Esperanza year round and never have had an issue. Just fueled up there August 7-10 each day. Lots of guides fill up as well as people that live/stay in Tahsis. Fuel seems to always be cheaper at Esperanza vs Westview. Didn’t hear anything about people having fuel issues there. In the last 15 years of having a place in Tahsis and using our boat year round with fueling at Esperanza we have had zero problems with the fuel. Granted stuff happens so better to be prepared always for fuel issues and carry the necessary filters for your boat.
Brockandahardplace
New Member
We’re coming out this Friday, first time, hopefully there’s still some fish to be caught. Maybe next year we will book late July
Tom Gordon
New Member
I’ve fueled at Esperanza for about 10 years. This is the first bad experience. Buts it’s sobering to realize how fortunate we were for the engines to die where we could fix things. Could have been 14 miles offshore. Like I said earlier, once burned twice cautious.
Matthias
Well-Known Member
Just back from a 4 night stay at Moutcha bay. Our first time fishing Nootka sound. A bit of a change from our regular Bamfield trip. We stayed in the Big Yurts which was more than what we needed -but they were beautiful. Right on the ocean, everything we needed, full kitchen, massive deck, BBQ... It was much more bougier than our rentals in Bammerton. This resort definitely caters more to the family experience rather than the hard core fisherman. I can see myself bringing the wife and kid here one day.
Day 1 - we went guided in hopes to get out bottom fish. We landed 1 chinook first thing at the wall, then quickly left for bottom fish. Our guide Nick was new this season, but he got us to a good lingcod hole (army dump?) that got us 6 good sized lings and an assortment of rockfish (china, tiger, vermillion, cabezon etc.) We were really hoping to target hali's but it sounded like the guide didn't quite know of any other hali holes so that was slightly disappointing. Great guy, just a result of being new. all good. We ended the day at the wall and scraped up one more chinook. These guided boats are insane. 29-32ft North River boats with seakeepers.. WHAT?! Couldn't believe how well that worked while bottom fishing. It almost takes all the sportiness out of sportfishing!
Day 2- Self guided in a 22ft ABD - absolutely awesome boats. Everything we needed. These are center console aluminum rigs that come in either a 22ft (200hp) or 24ft (250hp). Both come with 9.9 kickers. The 22 was perfect for 4 guys, no need at all for the bigger one. We started the day at Macquina, picked up a chinook and coho first thing then it went dead. Bumbled around a few spots along the outside on both sides of the lighthouse, but the bite didn't seem to turn on. We moved over to the wall at around 1/2pm to finish the day, and by 5:00 we had 6 more chinooks in the tub.
Day 3 - Self guided - started at the wall. One chinook in the box before trying for some lings again. We headed out towards Burdwood trying to find some pinnicales. We got a few under ling, small rockfish, and 1 keeper ling. It got really rough on us so we headed back to the wall. On the way we stopped in a bay somewhere along the back door, in glassy water. It was about 32degC with a 72degF water temp. We spent the better half of an hour swimming and soaking up the amazing weather. I couldn't believe how warm the water was!! After that, we hit the wall again. It was dead until about 4:00, and about an hour after tide change, where we nailed another 6 chinooks to fill everyone's cards.
Despite people around us saying spoons were working, 14/16 of our chinooks came on anchovies, 45-75ft. Based on the chatter on the docks i think we did slightly better than average..
The boys came home with full coolers and good memories. We definitely see ourselves coming back.. The boat rental is such a nice option rather than towing the boat across the ferry.
Our only strife with the set up at moutcha bay is the freezer space.. They basically force you to use their fish processing, as they don't allow you to store your own processed fish there. We brought our own vaccuum packer, and after our first self guided day we were standing in front of the processing desk, panicking trying to figure out what to do with our processed fish. We were able to make it fit (barely) in the fridge/freezer in the room, but the next day were forced to pay the $2.5/pound or whatever it was (undressed).
Also - the guided fishing rates DON'T come with fish processing. Our guide told us otherwise and the resort comped us that fee, but just something to note when you go there. Freezer space is an issue if you plan to do your own processing..
All in all, amazing trip. Highly recommend this place!
Day 1 - we went guided in hopes to get out bottom fish. We landed 1 chinook first thing at the wall, then quickly left for bottom fish. Our guide Nick was new this season, but he got us to a good lingcod hole (army dump?) that got us 6 good sized lings and an assortment of rockfish (china, tiger, vermillion, cabezon etc.) We were really hoping to target hali's but it sounded like the guide didn't quite know of any other hali holes so that was slightly disappointing. Great guy, just a result of being new. all good. We ended the day at the wall and scraped up one more chinook. These guided boats are insane. 29-32ft North River boats with seakeepers.. WHAT?! Couldn't believe how well that worked while bottom fishing. It almost takes all the sportiness out of sportfishing!
Day 2- Self guided in a 22ft ABD - absolutely awesome boats. Everything we needed. These are center console aluminum rigs that come in either a 22ft (200hp) or 24ft (250hp). Both come with 9.9 kickers. The 22 was perfect for 4 guys, no need at all for the bigger one. We started the day at Macquina, picked up a chinook and coho first thing then it went dead. Bumbled around a few spots along the outside on both sides of the lighthouse, but the bite didn't seem to turn on. We moved over to the wall at around 1/2pm to finish the day, and by 5:00 we had 6 more chinooks in the tub.
Day 3 - Self guided - started at the wall. One chinook in the box before trying for some lings again. We headed out towards Burdwood trying to find some pinnicales. We got a few under ling, small rockfish, and 1 keeper ling. It got really rough on us so we headed back to the wall. On the way we stopped in a bay somewhere along the back door, in glassy water. It was about 32degC with a 72degF water temp. We spent the better half of an hour swimming and soaking up the amazing weather. I couldn't believe how warm the water was!! After that, we hit the wall again. It was dead until about 4:00, and about an hour after tide change, where we nailed another 6 chinooks to fill everyone's cards.
Despite people around us saying spoons were working, 14/16 of our chinooks came on anchovies, 45-75ft. Based on the chatter on the docks i think we did slightly better than average..
The boys came home with full coolers and good memories. We definitely see ourselves coming back.. The boat rental is such a nice option rather than towing the boat across the ferry.
Our only strife with the set up at moutcha bay is the freezer space.. They basically force you to use their fish processing, as they don't allow you to store your own processed fish there. We brought our own vaccuum packer, and after our first self guided day we were standing in front of the processing desk, panicking trying to figure out what to do with our processed fish. We were able to make it fit (barely) in the fridge/freezer in the room, but the next day were forced to pay the $2.5/pound or whatever it was (undressed).
Also - the guided fishing rates DON'T come with fish processing. Our guide told us otherwise and the resort comped us that fee, but just something to note when you go there. Freezer space is an issue if you plan to do your own processing..
All in all, amazing trip. Highly recommend this place!
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Went up to Critter Cove with my fishing buddy August 7th. Checked out the wall and landed a double just before dinner. We did a marathon on Friday leaving at daybreak for the ocean, paying off with kings, silvers, a couple lings and rock fish. Back at the dock at 6:30 for dinner. The Windy App let us know to stay inside for the weekend. Thinking we needed two kings to fill our tags, karma limited us to one a day! We had to get out of the water before the low tide Monday at 9:00.
Another successful trip in the books since 2003.
Another successful trip in the books since 2003.
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BDog Fisher
Active Member
Any updated reports from Esperanza? If not can spring fishing still be good in the later half of August?
kingblazer84
Crew Member
Well boys I leave for my 40th bday charter at port Eliza(Aug 6th was my bday) but I’ve got myself and 3 other buddies leaving sat morning for Campbell river then Sunday pickup at zeballos! We are stoked and ready to get into some fish! Weather looks like the craps but hey it’s still fishing.
Are any other members going to be there from the 17-21?
Cheers
Are any other members going to be there from the 17-21?
Cheers
MacDuff
Active Member
Rosa was good yesterday. Fish at Sandstone although lumpy. Offshore is ugly.
kingblazer84
Crew Member
@Admin how was the road getting into zeballos? also @Chasin' Dreams you still up in that area this weekend?
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The road was in decent shape when we were there...the usual washboard and exposed rock, etc. We were on a bus, so the going was a bit slower, but no problems getting in or out for our driver.
Brian
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