2025 Sooke Reports

[Lewy]

Out today in the fog. Launched about 9 and planned to go out to the deep water but ended up with a bunch of other boats between Aldridge and the head, not getting anything other than shakers. Ran down to Church and eventually to Whirl still very little action, just those little guys. Might have had one good bite at 120' but maybe just a bit of dross too. We'll never know as whatever it was got off.
Turned back towards the bay and Bedfords still picking up little springs at all depths when one of the larger aluminum boats that some charter guys use ran alongside and overtook us going pretty fast and a bit close, sending a wash our way that materialized as a large wave breaking over our stern quarter and swamping us. Our boat has about 3' of freeboard and that's the first time we've ever had water come over the rail, even though we've been in plenty of rough following seas. I was standing so got soaked from my pants pockets down. My buddy on the other side sitting on the engine cover got it all over his chest too.
Headed back in after that and as we got back in the bay the DFO came alongside. I was bringing up the lines and the gear on one side got into the DFO's prop so goodbye flasher and wee g. So as much as a day on the water is better than sitting around in Victoria, today, although memorable, could have been a bit better.
Oh well, there's always next week, right?

 

[Mozart]

Went to Otter today. Fished from 11:30 to 12:30 only got a small spring and daughter lost a coho by boat side. We picked up and went to trap and got into yet another spring and a wild coho in a 2 hour time span. It was too slow for daughter’s liking so we switched gear and went for rock fish and ling. Kiddo drop gear to bottom and yelled dad I hook Mother Earth!!! I went over and helped her and realized it was a fish. When she got it back it was a 18lb ling.That really made her happy. Decided to call it a day and left for home.

 

[codfather]

Wow, Lewy. I'm not sure how you stayed so calm about all that stuff that went on.

It sounds like you were just trying to do your own thing that day and had to endure some very bad behavior.

The charter boat that you didn't name didn't run past a little fast and a little close. You don't get swamped like that by someone being a little fast and close. You don't get a wash breaking over your stern swamping you coming over the rail getting you wet and your buddy wet up to his chest.

You are a better Man that me as I would have reacted a lot different and the ending would have been a lot different than yours.

I apologize for every other guide besides me as that is not acceptable behavior by anyone in a boat especially a guide.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[Grant_J]

Really interesting Friday morning for us. Listening on 68 it seemed as most were not having much luck, either unclipped Coho or shakers but it was quite different for us. During 10-12 we had 6 large fish on the line, lost 1 at distance when it came to the surface and the other 5 we got to the boat, all Springs. 4 were in the 60-70cm range and 1 probably 45 or so that I gaff released. Lost 1 of the 60cm+ just before netting it but we kept a nice 60cm and 70cm. These were on spoons at 70-100’, 90’ seemed to be the sweet spot. Half way between the head and secretary island in 350’. Things were mostly quiet until 10 when I started going cross current and picked the speed up to 2 1/2 to 3 kn - and then it was major action including a double header.

 

[PHW]

Sarcasm Alert on previous post about tossing old, chewed up spoons….nice pic

 

[Tsquared]

We fished the flood yesterday afternoon, slow for us- 6 wild to the boat, Mostly found down deep, 90 to 115 on the rigger. At the dock we saw someone with 4 hatchery, so luck of the draw I guess.