2025 Nootka Sound/Esperanza Inlet Reports
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Don Haraguchi
Well-Known Member
Yes, and yes
So if its blowing strong NW on the outside, what sort of conditions should one expect on the inside and especially on the run up Muchalat? I've done that run twice now and never had an issue, but always headed the advice to do it first thing in the morning - which we will this time as well.
salmonkiller01
Well-Known Member
Generally the run up is not bad. Muchalat will get a chop but have never seen much more than that. 2’ chop at best.
Inside fishing lots of places to fish and get out of the wind.
The ride from gold river up will be good in the morning but with strong winds and high temp afternoon rides are a bit sporty for the the first 10 miles
pescador
Well-Known Member
Lots of great spots to get out of wind on the inside. Depending on wind direction, usually Coopte Point is like a lake, Beer Can to San Carlos is generally protected and produces. Even the Lighthouse area can be ok if winds from the North.
M1SF1T
Well-Known Member
I'll be driving up to Moutcha tomorrow morning.
I'm bringing a variety of spoons and hoochies and plugs, maybe pick up some anchovies just in case.
Making a last stop at the tackle shop tomorrow morning, any recommends on what colours/patterns have been best of late?
Is it worth putting down prawn traps right now? Thought I'd drop a crab trap each morning too...
I'm bringing a variety of spoons and hoochies and plugs, maybe pick up some anchovies just in case.
Making a last stop at the tackle shop tomorrow morning, any recommends on what colours/patterns have been best of late?
Is it worth putting down prawn traps right now? Thought I'd drop a crab trap each morning too...
Blue Hewes
Well-Known Member
Came home yesterday from our annual trip to Critter Jul 6 - 12. Such a great place to stay. Upgraded to a suite this year for 3 days which was a bonus. Nice to see all the work they are doing to keep the place in great shape with lots of new cedar decking etc… Weather was good overall except for the Tuesday rain all day which wasn’t fun. Fishing for us wasn’t hot but consistent with our fish ranging from 8lbs - 17lbs. Stomachs were mostly filled with tiny baitfish and the odd squid. We found fish right in front of the lighthouse at 100 - 125ft using a Westcost tackle Little phat-e spoon in herring aid silver. We picked up fish inside the bays around the corner from the lighthouse on the outside (Not sure what you call that area?) at 40 - 50ft on a Westcoast tackle Little Phat-e spoon all white. We also picked up fish at Discovery Pt using Gibbs skinny g spoons Killy McGee which was green/silver colour. Tried a few spots briefly on the inside with only 1 small fish caught between Camel and the wall. Aside from spoons we tried both turd hooches and standard hooches when things were slow with limited success. We did pickup 1 keeper Ling on the turd though. I did hear others had some good success on a brown turd fished right on the bottom. After reading the comments about that 632 3” plug from Codfather, I had to give that a try as I don’t really fish plugs. We did catch a few fish using it but they were smaller 5-6lbers that we released. Went out to the Bajo reef a couple of times for Ling and managed to find 5 upto 15lbs along with easy limits of black rockfish. Overall a great time and full cooler coming home. Big highlight of the trip was seeing a humpback whale do 2 full leaps out of the water on our way back in from Bajo!
launch fee and 3 nights parking was $95
SeaSport
Member
$20 to launch, $25 a night inside gates, $15 on the road
SeaSport
Member
Here is the link to purchase launch and parking online.
Explore Nootka | West Coast Vancouver Island
Welcome to Nootka! Dive into thrilling adventures and embrace the spirit of exploration in the home of the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation.
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cohochinook
Well-Known Member
Really windy in Esperanza today. Going to fish nootka. Any recent reports?
c-dawg
Member
Thanks for the link, SeaSport, that helps a lot.Here is the link to purchase launch and parking online.
Explore Nootka | West Coast Vancouver Island
Welcome to Nootka! Dive into thrilling adventures and embrace the spirit of exploration in the home of the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation.
Does anyone have Intel on officially what the gate hours are? Hoping for an early launch later this week - already paid online so just need to he able to actually get into the lot to park the trailer.
pacemaker
Well-Known Member
According to their sign posted at the front of the Boat Launch Office, they are open from 5AM - 10 PM. Those hours are somewhat approximate depending upon the actual employee of the day of course.. It’s a good ramp and a good parking facility. In my dealings there, all of the staff there have been very professional and friendly.
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pacemaker
Well-Known Member
Just got back from another week out at Critter. The fishing was both hot and cold, depending on both the day and the location. All of our fishing was done on the outside, mostly between the light and out to Beano. Wash Rock and Maquinna probably had the most consistent action. Hoochies and Skinny G’s / Wee G’s produced well for us from about 35feet all the way down the almost bouncing bottom depending upon location. Some pretty decent fish by current standards, with several weighed fish in the low to mid 20’s
Can’t comment about the fishing on the inside waters as we did not fish the inside at all.
Can’t comment about the fishing on the inside waters as we did not fish the inside at all.
cohochinook
Well-Known Member
Ran to Nootka and fished the monument and wash rocks. It was absolutely dead. There were about 50 boats and only saw four fish caught. Came back to Esperanza and managed to get three Chinook on the inside. Including a 90 cm.
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