2025 Sidney Reports

[Stizzla]

Another #Stizz appearance early today. On the water before 6am
Posted up at Coal, put her in neutral, and was coasting 2.8mph so I moved on. Fairfax was better for currents but a bit sloppy with the wind/waves. Ended up FINALLY AFTER 42 SKUNKY HOURS, getting a hit just off the point. Was possibly a keeper but had an adipose so it got the gaff release.
Then I started with the Stizzla action we all know and love (except for me. I ******* hate it)
Dropping the ball from 115 to 125 the Rigger started vibrating and sure enough the braid was wrapped inside where the brake handle is again. I had to take it apart on the spot and managed to reassemble enough get the ball up. Decided “hey, l got the skunk off (kinda) let’s go see if I can get my first ling. Over to Coal again and on goes the shiny new swim bait.
I dropped it down and had a really tough time reeling it back with just the weight of the jig. Checked the eye of the rod as it felt like it was wrapped around. But alas, it wasn’t. So after a bit of effing around I decided the reel must be jammed or something and I was still pissed about the rigger so I said eff it and went in.
Then I got to the dock and noticed my tip had snapped off during the run back. Also found out the reason for the friction on the reeling was because side it was somehow wrapped around the second eye from the top. How does that even happen?

So yeah, I’m thinking of selling my boat, boat shed and all the gear again.

The one fish I hooked up was on MVP AP Sandlance with derby winner flasher on the bottom.

 

[Stizzla]

Oh. And I dropped a buzz bomb in the ocean when I was changing to a swim bait back in the boat house to start the day.

 

[Srthomas75]

May 4. Nice day out there.
I anchored for halibut. ( one bite from something that didn’t stick). Then tried for ling cod ( got our two. 12lb , 8lb ) but lost one that felt substantial.
And two limits of prawns. They were noticeable smaller in size compared to 2-3 weeks ago.
Short amount of time spent trying for salmon but no luck there.

 

[kaelc]

Dam dog. We got to get you into a nice spring.

We focused on Prawns, Crab and Ling cod. Decided to go into the Inlet for a change, bloody gong show between getting the stink eye from guys who think your buoy is too close and almost getting ran over by yachts. Had to honk the horn at one as we saw no course deviation and we were pulling a line of two traps. Traps did ok, but 8 octopus had a good lunch and 3-4 starfish. 2 traps did great, no octopus.

5 Dungees in one trap, one wide open? But they were so close together, I figure we got the crabs anyway.

Managed 3 nice size Lings and nice size 2 rock fish. Felt like we out linged a few American boys from San Juan island, getting our last one after they left down deep.

 

[A-a-Ron]

Another #Stizz appearance early today. On the water before 6am
Posted up at Coal, put her in neutral, and was coasting 2.8mph so I moved on. Fairfax was better for currents but a bit sloppy with the wind/waves. Ended up FINALLY AFTER 42 SKUNKY HOURS, getting a hit just off the point. Was possibly a keeper but had an adipose so it got the gaff release.
Then I started with the Stizzla action we all know and love (except for me. I ******* hate it)
Dropping the ball from 115 to 125 the Rigger started vibrating and sure enough the braid was wrapped inside where the brake handle is again. I had to take it apart on the spot and managed to reassemble enough get the ball up. Decided “hey, l got the skunk off (kinda) let’s go see if I can get my first ling. Over to Coal again and on goes the shiny new swim bait.
I dropped it down and had a really tough time reeling it back with just the weight of the jig. Checked the eye of the rod as it felt like it was wrapped around. But alas, it wasn’t. So after a bit of effing around I decided the reel must be jammed or something and I was still pissed about the rigger so I said eff it and went in.
Then I got to the dock and noticed my tip had snapped off during the run back. Also found out the reason for the friction on the reeling was because side it was somehow wrapped around the second eye from the top. How does that even happen?

So yeah, I’m thinking of selling my boat, boat shed and all the gear again.

The one fish I hooked up was on MVP AP Sandlance with derby winner flasher on the bottom. View attachment 116725

Well you didn’t lose a downrigger ball, so that’s a positive

 

[gecko]

Another #Stizz appearance early today. On the water before 6am
Posted up at Coal, put her in neutral, and was coasting 2.8mph so I moved on. Fairfax was better for currents but a bit sloppy with the wind/waves. Ended up FINALLY AFTER 42 SKUNKY HOURS, getting a hit just off the point. Was possibly a keeper but had an adipose so it got the gaff release.
Then I started with the Stizzla action we all know and love (except for me. I ******* hate it)
Dropping the ball from 115 to 125 the Rigger started vibrating and sure enough the braid was wrapped inside where the brake handle is again. I had to take it apart on the spot and managed to reassemble enough get the ball up. Decided “hey, l got the skunk off (kinda) let’s go see if I can get my first ling. Over to Coal again and on goes the shiny new swim bait.
I dropped it down and had a really tough time reeling it back with just the weight of the jig. Checked the eye of the rod as it felt like it was wrapped around. But alas, it wasn’t. So after a bit of effing around I decided the reel must be jammed or something and I was still pissed about the rigger so I said eff it and went in.
Then I got to the dock and noticed my tip had snapped off during the run back. Also found out the reason for the friction on the reeling was because side it was somehow wrapped around the second eye from the top. How does that even happen?

So yeah, I’m thinking of selling my boat, boat shed and all the gear again.

The one fish I hooked up was on MVP AP Sandlance with derby winner flasher on the bottom. View attachment 116725

bruh what are you doing lolol fish on!

 

[scott craven]

Dropping the ball from 115 to 125 the Rigger started vibrating and sure enough the braid was wrapped inside where the brake handle is again. I had to take it apart on the spot and managed to reassemble enough get the ball up.

Sounds like you may have a downrigger problem, check the fair lead. If it's out of alignment the braid will pile up at the bottom of the spool.
Also try controlling the drop speed. If the ball hits bottom at speed, slack line will wrap itself under the spool.

 

[ryanb]

A few days ago I set my prawn traps in a high current area off Moresby, and made a mistake reading the tide charts and ended losing my traps when the current dragged them away. Found them again today 2 km away from where I set the other day. They were wrapped up in someone else's traps that had obviously been lost some time ago. If you lost 2 prawn traps a while back I can return them to you. Send me a DM describing them if you think they might be yours.

And a report: scratched out a Ling on the 1st and another today. Salmon fishing seems to be pretty dead, no bites on the 1st or today.

 

[Harrison]

Was invited by a good friend to join him on a charter with Bon Chovy Charters for some fishing in Sidney. We had 4 springs on. One spat the hook, released a 10 lb wild and keep a 12 & 18 lb hatchery. All were good scrappy fish. Beautiful day on the water. Picked up a couple nice crabs as well.

Got the 12 off James Island and the 18 of Coal Island - all bouncing bottom with green and white coho killer. Lots of Sandlance in the fish bellies.

If you want to fish the usually calmer waters of Sidney I would highly recommend Jason at Bon Chovy charters. He knows this area inside and out.

 

[Harrison]

Took the ferry across with my son Monday and fished with Jason the owner of Bon Chovy. Limited on Springs, Ling cod, prawns and five nice crabs. In my opinion, Jason is one of the best guides I have ever fished with!

 

[SVIAC]

The 2025 Salish Sea Salmon Challenge is coming up May 31, 2025, with a $10K first prize and $21K overall prize board. Check out the details on the derby page, below, including for the rules. Take advantage of the Marked Selective Fishery opening, and contribute to salmon enhancement and advocacy. Note as well that there is a Salish Sea Salmon Challenge Facebook page, updates of the leader board will be posted there.

https://sviac.ca/2025-salish-sea-salmon-challenge/

 

[mudguts]

Took the ferry across with my son Monday and fished with Jason the owner of Bon Chovy. Limited on Springs, Ling cod, prawns and five nice crabs. In my opinion, Jason is one of the best guides I have ever fished with!

Agreed!

 

[Srthomas75]

I fished out of Sidney today with the goal set for ling cod. Tried a couple spots and hooked at least a dozen before we found a 22lb, one or two more smalls before getting a 15lb. I didn’t measure any of the smalls but they all looked to be 50-55cm.
These two were about 87cm and 96cm?
Then zero bites on salmon at a couple different spots. And a dismal dozen prawns in the trap. ( we were near a commercial set and my bait didn’t seem to bleed out of the bait can very well today for some reason )

 

[gecko]

Out at Roche for the holiday. Fished around MB and found some nice lings. No luck on springs but currents were ripping when we tried. Lost one deep. Going again tomorrow fish on. Staying on the big boat until the 27th

 

[Stizzla]

View attachment 116995I fished out of Sidney today with the goal set for ling cod. Tried a couple spots and hooked at least a dozen before we found a 22lb, one or two more smalls before getting a 15lb. I didn’t measure any of the smalls but they all looked to be 50-55cm.
These two were about 87cm and 96cm?
Then zero bites on salmon at a couple different spots. And a dismal dozen prawns in the trap. ( we were near a commercial set and my bait didn’t seem to bleed out of the bait can very well today for some reason )

Were you in the nice hardtop boat off of coal this afternoon?

 

[Srthomas75]

Were you in the nice hardtop boat off of coal this afternoon?

No , But I think I saw that boat over there. We were trolling south of Forrest at the time.

 

[Stizzla]

No , But I think I saw that boat over there. We were trolling south of Forrest at the time.

What’s day for you. One day I’ll catch one. I only did 2 passes over one pinnacle. I had an hour between meetings. Conditions seemed good though. Nice and vertical with a slow drift

 

[Aces]

What’s day for you. One day I’ll catch one. I only did 2 passes over one pinnacle. I had an hour between meetings. Conditions seemed good though. Nice and vertical with a slow drift

Weekend is here!

 

[Stizzla]

Weekend is here!

yeah Gonna get at it tomorrow. Currently having a spa date in Parksville with the Mrs.

 

[Rain City]

yeah Gonna get at it tomorrow. Currently having a spa date in Parksville with the Mrs.

Did you invite the nice gentleman that sold you the boat? That might help take the shnide off.