2025 OFFISHALL Vancouver- Howe Sound-Sechelt Fishing Reports Thread

[TMan]

Good action south of Bowen this afternoon, took home five hatch, released a few wild, a couple shaker chinook and lost a bunch. All the hatch were on the smaller side and cut a beautiful deep red. They were all stuffed with nothing but tiny crab larva. Hot setup was white hoochies and kite-tail flashers 35-45’, much better landing ratio than standard paddle flashers.

What a coincidence! I just dragged out my kitetail flashers today for coho using spoons and slip weights.

 

[TMan]

Good action south of Bowen this afternoon, took home five hatch, released a few wild, a couple shaker chinook and lost a bunch. All the hatch were on the smaller side and cut a beautiful deep red. They were all stuffed with nothing but tiny crab larva. Hot setup was white hoochies and kite-tail flashers 35-45’, much better landing ratio than standard paddle flashers.

Is the hole on the flasher you are set at the wide- lazy loop?

 

[Pewpster]

Is the hole on the flasher you are set at the wide- lazy loop?

Outside hole, which I thought meant more action, not really sure, this is first I’ve used them. They were on sale at the boat show for a couple bucks each.

 

[Shineyshiney]

It was the flasher on the right that was way more active . But after taking a closer look it probably has nothing to do with the flasher - I connected that hootchie leader directly to the flasher bypassing the swivel. Didn’t do that on the other side for some reason. I usually bypass the swivel when fishing a hootchie as it gives the lure more whip. Looks like I forgot on one side and now have proof that this works better. At least for coho.

Pardon my ignorance- do you mean instead of having a swivel from the end of flasher to your hootchie you just tie it directly onto the eyelet? Wouldn't that inhibit the spinning on the hootchie (I can presume that's probably what you're aiming for?)

 

[Rain City]

Saw several boat by Worlecombe, quite a few by Cowan as well but we were out deeper south of Roger Curtis.

That's another name for it

 

[Tinny]

Pardon my ignorance- do you mean instead of having a swivel from the end of flasher to your hootchie you just tie it directly onto the eyelet? Wouldn't that inhibit the spinning on the hootchie (I can presume that's probably what you're aiming for?)

Yes. I just just bypass the swivel between the flasher and the hootchie. This way the hootchie doesn't spin independent of the flasher. You still have the swivels at the front of the flasher and the leader line - but this way all the whip in the flasher gets transferred to the hootchie. I've seen some tie a hootchie with 50lb leader to get even more stiffness and whip.

I used to have dedicated flashers for hootchies with the terminal swivel clipped off, but I think the extra rattle of that loose clip and swivel might make the fish more curious - could be wrong on that, but doesn't seem to hurt.

 

[HMSFrosty]

Hello! I am brand new to both boating and fishing. I have done my SVOP and 4 days of practical training and have all my fishing gear ready to go. I caught my first Coho and Chinook last weekend but on a friends boat, not my own (a 17ft Hourston). This will be more first weekend on the water, in my own boat, launching at Sunset Marina and on the water both Saturday and Sunday. I am finding the regulations and conservation areas very overwhelming and looking to find a spot to try my hand at fishing for Coho without getting in anyone’s way or being in a super busy spot. I know Vancouver waters will inevitably get busy on the weekend but I just want some advice from the experts. I am brand new to saltwater fishing and choosing the right positioning is a little nerve wracking! So, provided I manage to launch without a problem, head off and everything goes to plan, I would love some advice! And where the heck should I drop my crab trap?!

 

[Pineapple Express]

Hello! I am brand new to both boating and fishing. I have done my SVOP and 4 days of practical training and have all my fishing gear ready to go. I caught my first Coho and Chinook last weekend but on a friends boat, not my own (a 17ft Hourston). This will be more first weekend on the water, in my own boat, launching at Sunset Marina and on the water both Saturday and Sunday. I am finding the regulations and conservation areas very overwhelming and looking to find a spot to try my hand at fishing for Coho without getting in anyone’s way or being in a super busy spot. I know Vancouver waters will inevitably get busy on the weekend but I just want some advice from the experts. I am brand new to saltwater fishing and choosing the right positioning is a little nerve wracking! So, provided I manage to launch without a problem, head off and everything goes to plan, I would love some advice! And where the heck should I drop my crab trap?!

Chinook retention is closed in the whole region. And in parts of Howe Sound and the Salish Sea you're not allowed to target Chinook for catch & release either (the regs say "no fishing for Chinook").

So target coho. Smaller lures, flashy tinsel or shiny spoons. Troll fast. Daily limit is 2 per angler. Must be hatchery fish with the adipose fin clipped & healed. Coho are kinda delicate so keep them in the water and be gentle with the releases of the wild fish (with adipose intact).

Areas to go are around Cowan Point (SE Bowen), Cape Roger Curtis, and over towards Whirlcombe Island. You can go out in to deeper water towards Halibut Bank. There's some deep water between Halibut Bank and Bowen that can be productive too (this is the area that @Rain City likes to hype up!!)

I'm like you that I don't like to fish in close quarters with other boats. The areas I've listed above should have plenty of space. Good luck! And post updates and questions as you go.

 

[Brian McDermott]

Does anybody else freak out about those spines that stick out of the back of their dorsal fin that I always feel are gonna embed themselves into my hand. I stay clear of touching those things....

Bad infection

 

[Marley]

Chinook retention is closed in the whole region. And in parts of Howe Sound and the Salish Sea you're not allowed to target Chinook for catch & release either (the regs say "no fishing for Chinook").

So target coho. Smaller lures, flashy tinsel or shiny spoons. Troll fast. Daily limit is 2 per angler. Must be hatchery fish with the adipose fin clipped & healed. Coho are kinda delicate so keep them in the water and be gentle with the releases of the wild fish (with adipose intact).

Areas to go are around Cowan Point (SE Bowen), Cape Roger Curtis, and over towards Whirlcombe Island. You can go out in to deeper water towards Halibut Bank. There's some deep water between Halibut Bank and Bowen that can be productive too (this is the area that @Rain City likes to hype up!!)

I'm like you that I don't like to fish in close quarters with other boats. The areas I've listed above should have plenty of space. Good luck! And post updates and questions as you go.

Also I look up the “right rod to shore thread” that was on here that discusses the etiquette of trolling in a group. Good info.

 

[Aquaholic]

Chinook retention is closed in the whole region. And in parts of Howe Sound and the Salish Sea you're not allowed to target Chinook for catch & release either (the regs say "no fishing for Chinook").

So target coho. Smaller lures, flashy tinsel or shiny spoons. Troll fast. Daily limit is 2 per angler. Must be hatchery fish with the adipose fin clipped & healed. Coho are kinda delicate so keep them in the water and be gentle with the releases of the wild fish (with adipose intact).

Areas to go are around Cowan Point (SE Bowen), Cape Roger Curtis, and over towards Whirlcombe Island. You can go out in to deeper water towards Halibut Bank. There's some deep water between Halibut Bank and Bowen that can be productive too (this is the area that @Rain City likes to hype up!!)

I'm like you that I don't like to fish in close quarters with other boats. The areas I've listed above should have plenty of space. Good luck! And post updates and questions as you go.

ditto on the damage to Coho. Look at any photo someone posts of their coho catch of the day, and a noticeable percentage of the scales are missing from them.

 

[HMSFrosty]

Awesome thanks. Any hot tips on crabbing spots? And looking at the wind/tide for this weekend - any red flags for you for timing to avoid in a small boat?

 

[sweettjim]

Awesome thanks. Any hot tips on crabbing spots? And looking at the wind/tide for this weekend - any red flags for you for timing to avoid in a small boat?

check out the windy app as far as crabbing spots download the navnoics app on your phone and check out crabbing spots ubc down to jericho beach can be productive for crabbing its just trial and error for crabbing make sure you a a red white torpedo style crab float with your name and number clearly written down on it and if u want some more tips if you are on facebook i have a page called vancouver salmon fishing check it out sometime lots of good info and reports on there

 

[A-a-Ron]

Also I look up the “right rod to shore thread” that was on here that discusses the etiquette of trolling in a group. Good info.

Which also jives with “red to red” passing, basic boating knowledge…. Or should be.

Note: this all goes out the window Sept at Sandheads.