2025 OFFISHALL Vancouver- Howe Sound-Sechelt Fishing Reports Thread

I fished the Bell Buoy today from noon to 3 pm Had four shakers in a row on flashers and skinny g's so switched both sides to 5 inch Tomic plugs and things improved right away. Two to the boat, released, that were just under. Gaff released one that looked over but not worth bringing in to check. Then lost one just before the net came out, looked and felt about 12lb or so, rough guess. Only one more shaker after that. At least the plugs mostly kept the shakers off and attracted the better ones. Hope it's a good sign of more fish coming in. Tomic 602 is what they were biting on.
 
TucTuc said:
I fished the Bell Buoy today from noon to 3 pm Had four shakers in a row on flashers and skinny g's so switched both sides to 5 inch Tomic plugs and things improved right away. Two to the boat, released, that were just under. Gaff released one that looked over but not worth bringing in to check. Then lost one just before the net came out, looked and felt about 12lb or so, rough guess. Only one more shaker after that. At least the plugs mostly kept the shakers off and attracted the better ones. Hope it's a good sign of more fish coming in. Tomic 602 is what they were biting on.
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I keep giving the plugs a run in the harbour but I've yet to hook up on them. You running dummies? How far back you running them? I've done fine with them in other areas running as short as 15 feet, with or without dummies. Maybe it's just the fact that I'm only running them these days as option 2 when things are slow. Who knows.
 
Rain City said:
I keep giving the plugs a run in the harbour but I've yet to hook up on them. You running dummies? How far back you running them? I've done fine with them in other areas running as short as 15 feet, with or without dummies. Maybe it's just the fact that I'm only running them these days as option 2 when things are slow. Who knows.
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No dummies, just the plug. I'm running them about 20 feet back, the longer the better IMO (maybe not exactly my opinion, but something I read about longer leaders = more action). When I was last out fishing the harbour before the snow fell, I dropped two plugs down in the freighters after fishing flashers/spoons at the bell, just as a last try before heading in. Got a double header after about 10 minutes, not keepers but not that far off keeper. I guess maybe we gotta commit to it a little more eh?
 
TucTuc said:
No dummies, just the plug. I'm running them about 20 feet back, the longer the better IMO (maybe not exactly my opinion, but something I read about longer leaders = more action). When I was last out fishing the harbour before the snow fell, I dropped two plugs down in the freighters after fishing flashers/spoons at the bell, just as a last try before heading in. Got a double header after about 10 minutes, not keepers but not that far off keeper. I guess maybe we gotta commit to it a little more eh?
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Yep, probably the case. Hard to argue the success of a cheap spoon at the bell though. Two of the best rods on here run plugs almost exclusively. In totally different areas too. There's no doubt that they work, and catch bigger fish on average. I really want to be that confident with them, so not giving up on them yet. Thanks for the report.
 
In clear water you shouldn't need dummies or let the other side with a longer than normal leader to a hootchie be the dummy. Longer because you should also rip around faster than some spoons like it. I like a 60ft mono top shot over braid so I can run plugs about 50 ft back. I don't fish in the winter so I am jealous. We saw tons of ice yesterday between Port Mann and Hope, be careful river running guys.
 
tubber said:
In clear water you shouldn't need dummies or let the other side with a longer than normal leader to a hootchie be the dummy. Longer because you should also rip around faster than some spoons like it. I like a 60ft mono top shot over braid so I can run plugs about 50 ft back. I don't fish in the winter so I am jealous. We saw tons of ice yesterday between Port Mann and Hope, be careful river running guys.
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I fish slower than most guys, so it's tough for me to get over the speed change too.
 
tubber said:
In clear water you shouldn't need dummies or let the other side with a longer than normal leader to a hootchie be the dummy. Longer because you should also rip around faster than some spoons like it. I like a 60ft mono top shot over braid so I can run plugs about 50 ft back. I don't fish in the winter so I am jealous. We saw tons of ice yesterday between Port Mann and Hope, be careful river running guys.
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yeah 50' or more out of the clip , they track back at a wider arc with more leash. I was taught to run them pins pulled straight to the mainline no swivel. Learnt how to pull them from Rick Taylor back in the early 2000's while on our annual stay at Tyee in Bamfield . One of the more successful anglers id seen fish the offshore banks. They fish great for winters, deep in the gulf islands ( thrasher, entrance ) Mid - Late summer when fish are deep on structure , even run them with good success of sandheads if i run out of bait.
 
SalmonDreamer said:
Went out Saturday, Tunstall. Very quiet. 4 boats. 9-1230. Not a bite. Saw one boat land a fish.
My friend returned Sunday Tunstall and Bell Buoy , not a whiff.
Hoping things pick again soon!
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This time of year, Howe Sound tends to be more productive further up the Sound than closer to the Strait. Especially March, Defense seems to produce well. Obviously with the outflows right now it's tough to get out there, but once those die, you may find you have better luck up the Sound.
 
adanac said:
yeah 50' or more out of the clip , they track back at a wider arc with more leash. I was taught to run them pins pulled straight to the mainline no swivel. Learnt how to pull them from Rick Taylor back in the early 2000's while on our annual stay at Tyee in Bamfield . One of the more successful anglers id seen fish the offshore banks. They fish great for winters, deep in the gulf islands ( thrasher, entrance ) Mid - Late summer when fish are deep on structure , even run them with good success of sandheads if i run out of bait.
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Yeah I pulled the pins on all of mine. I've had really good success with them out of French Creek and down South. For whatever reason just no luck in the harbour. Maybe I'll try the tying to mainline deal. I have mine all rigged up with a short 18" leader with a loop knot that I clip to.
 
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