2025 Victoria and Oak Bay Reports

[Doug]

Got out fishing today at 6 and had action as soon as the gear was in the water. Small wild springs 68-70cm for the first hours and then it went dead. At about 8 to 9 the coho moved in and were taking the bait before I could clip it on the downrigger cable. Got two hatchery and one a good size.
Crabbing was good with 6 nice hard large crabs in two traps. Back to the dock at 11.

I counted 40 boats out fishing on our way in.

We fished close to bottom and 90 to 120 on the DR and we used bait.

 

[eroyd]

That little bit of a weather change must have given the salmon a kick. Out about 7:15, first pass of Brotchie a 76cm chinook. Two more similar chinooks released and several coho, all but one un-clipped. Some of good size. Lots of nets out 7:30 - 9:00 though it never really died. Mostly stayed in that area. 65 - 90' on the downrigger. Also picked up a keeper Ling.

 

[Yyjdennis]

That little bit of a weather change must have given the salmon a kick. Out about 7:15, first pass of Brotchie a 76cm chinook. Two more similar chinooks released and several coho, all but one un-clipped. Some of good size. Lots of nets out 7:30 - 9:00 though it never really died. Mostly stayed in that area. 65 - 90' on the downrigger. Also picked up a keeper Ling.

I’m sure this is a dumb question, but did you catch the ling using the same gear you were using for the salmon?

 

[tinboatrobb]

Great fun the last 2 days. I took out a friend of my son's and his 9yr old and 7 yr old boys out fishing. They are addicted to fishing and I don't believe have been salmon fishing before. Yesterday the 9 yr old caught a nice hatchery Coho. 4.5 hrs of fishing and they wanted more. Today after losing a 15lb ball and breaking my fishing rod on Brotchie edge I called Eroyd, who was not to far away and got a spare rod from him. We we then able to get 2 rods out. The younger brother got the first spring. He was thrilled as it was bigger than his brothers. The older brother then hooked another smaller spring. As you can see by the smiles, they are stoked. Always fun to get kids hooked on fishing. I don't think I'll ever have an empty boat again. They already asked about next weekend. Always nice to help or be helped by a fellow fisher.

 

[eroyd]

I’m sure this is a dumb question, but did you catch the ling using the same gear you were using for the salmon?

Yes. The usual salmon trolling rig a fair ways off the bottom.

 

[Stizzla]

Great fun the last 2 days. I took out a friend of my son's and his 9yr old and 7 yr old boys out fishing. They are addicted to fishing and I don't believe have been salmon fishing before. Yesterday the 9 yr old caught a nice hatchery Coho. 4.5 hrs of fishing and they wanted more. Today after losing a 15lb ball and breaking my fishing rod on Brotchie edge I called Eroyd, who was not to far away and got a spare rod from him. We we then able to get 2 rods out. The younger brother got the first spring. He was thrilled as it was bigger than his brothers. The older brother then hooked another smaller spring. As you can see by the smiles, they are stoked. Always fun to get kids hooked on fishing. I don't think I'll ever have an empty boat again. They already asked about next weekend. Always nice to help or be helped by a fellow fisher.

That’s what it’s all about right there!

 

[Doug]

Got out fishing at 6 today and this tine fishing for myself and a friend. There were around 12 boats already fishing.

Got action right away with high 60cm fish so we let two of them go and the third one (70) we had to keep because it was bleeding. Then got a double header and lost one at the boat and landed one. 20 minutes later double header and lost one and landed one. Then the Coho moved in and got 3 but only one was clipped. Finally got our fourth spring and done at 845. Two whites and two reds and finally got two clipped springs and both the biggest fish, so off they went into the Esq Angler head box.

,
Ended up with 83, 81, 77, 70 springs, coho, and a Pink. All the fish were caught at 90 - 85 ft on the DR and on XL bait.

 

[islandboy]

Report from Tuesday's calm morning. Decided to venture out to Brotchie as the weather was decent.
Dragged an 8" choked herring at 90' deep. A nice Chinook strike settled in to be a rock-fish.
There were a number of boats SW of the ledge and a huge amount of bait and fish. Nets were being used.
Watched a sea-lion flip and swallow a salmon. Sadly the sunlight negated any footage.
Fog rolled in along the shore and the cloud cover ensured the float planes came in low. One buzzed by only a few hundred feet away.

 

[islandboy]

Similar report as Tuesday sans rock fish. Stayed near Macauley as fish were being caught.
Lots of action between 6:00 and 7:30 on spoons, yet nothing to my boat. Tried an assortment of tackle and bait.
Close quarters fishing. Lines were crossed and my braid cut.
Boats in the video are much closer than it appears.
A big Thank you to 'Boomer'. He managed to retrieve my gear off his and return it too me. Very much appreciated.

 

[SVIAC]

Tomorrow is the big day of the 2025 Alpine Juan de Fuca Fishing Tournament! Which means today is Registration Day, starting at 3 and running to 8 and the LANGFORD LEGION. Last chance today to get your tickets for tomorrow's event, ticket sales close at 8pm tonight. You can buy in person at the Legion!

There are going to be HUGE Raffle prizes available today at Registration - get your tickets today only! 50/50 as well. Seriously incredible support from sponsors for all sorts of prizes today - from swag and lures to several reels, handmade gaffs/bonkers, and so much more! Even if you're not able to come out to the derby tomorrow, come on by the Langford Legion to get in on the raffles! Watch for pictures today on the derby's facebook page!

Also, a reminder that live leader board will be posted on the Derby Facebook page! Weigh in station is at Pedder Bay only, and be there in line before the closing time of 3pm. Anyone not in line at 3pm will not be eligible to win! Top 10 prizes only, no hidden weights, so check that FB page to determine if your 15lber stands a shot at the top 10!

Game on everyone, thanks for supporting Salmon Enhancement on South Vancouver Island, and good luck out there!

 

[Sam7]

What a parking lot out there today! I couldn’t count that high there were so many boats out there . I’ve never seen so many guide boats out front.

I managed a couple of decent wild coho’s before 8:30 and then as I was splitting a pair of guide boats, I just then hooked up. In passing I gave a whistle just to let him know that I had a fish on, when he decided to yell at me to slow down. Ya, I’m going with the tide, I have a fish on, and two boats 25 yards on either side going in opposite direction. Am I going to drag it for a few seconds while I get my downrigger balls up, yup, you bet I am.

Needless to say it was a long line release.

Then it went quiet for several hours, the pack started to spread out, and then it started to thin out. At 1:00 I decided to give the ol 15 more minutes……and 6 minutes into the 15, the 66’ spoon, went off. It was a runner, there was a small aluminum behind me, so I gave him a whistle (3 actually) before he turned away. I was past Macauley by a good 500 yards, and my boat was around the entrance to the marina (in 120’ of water) but the fish was still out there……and then a boat was coming back towards the marina at high speed. I was trying to wave him off, but that didn’t work. Needless to say when the boat ripped through, I thought he grabbed the line because the line started peeling again. I guess I got lucky because he only scarred the **** out of the fish.

Finally got him to the boat, a feisty marbled male, 78 cm and weighed in at 18lbs.

1 trap, today, 8 in total, 2 males just under and the rest female

 

[islandboy]

@Sam7 , I counted 84 boats at 9 am from Saxe point parking lot. Decided I'll wait until Monday to fish.

 

[eroyd]

Parking lot full at 0630. Snuck through the hoard of boats and started our Eastward troll about mid-harbour. First fish played and lost near Brotchie. Disappointing, but I felt confident for another. Returning back across the harbour I started de-weeding my brothers rod. My rod started to bounce so I said to my brother, "you handle it", and so he did. The little bounce went heavy, a good splash way behind the boat and we were on. A long run, a couple of tense just out of reach and finally a surrender to the net. 24 lbs.
Continued on and got another, 14 lb. over by Brotchie. Released a couple of winter springs and a couple of really nice unclipped coho.

85' on the dr. Anchovies over Abe n all dummy flasher was the winner today

 

[Double trouble 2]

I launched at Esquimalt anglers at 5:30 and still had to park on the road lol. I fished until about 11 and not even a sniff of a fish. I was shocked to have such a non productive day out there. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that many boats out too. At one point I had a boat on either side of me quite close and had a boat coming at me. He threaded the needle and all was fine but that was some close
fishing. Felt like I could have leaned over and grabbed a beer out of his cooler.

 

[Slack-tider]

The madness must have been a result of the derby being run today.

 

[Duffy]

What a parking lot out there today! I couldn’t count that high there were so many boats out there . I’ve never seen so many guide boats out front.

I managed a couple of decent wild coho’s before 8:30 and then as I was splitting a pair of guide boats, I just then hooked up. In passing I gave a whistle just to let him know that I had a fish on, when he decided to yell at me to slow down. Ya, I’m going with the tide, I have a fish on, and two boats 25 yards on either side going in opposite direction. Am I going to drag it for a few seconds while I get my downrigger balls up, yup, you bet I am.

Needless to say it was a long line release.

Then it went quiet for several hours, the pack started to spread out, and then it started to thin out. At 1:00 I decided to give the ol 15 more minutes……and 6 minutes into the 15, the 66’ spoon, went off. It was a runner, there was a small aluminum behind me, so I gave him a whistle (3 actually) before he turned away. I was past Macauley by a good 500 yards, and my boat was around the entrance to the marina (in 120’ of water) but the fish was still out there……and then a boat was coming back towards the marina at high speed. I was trying to wave him off, but that didn’t work. Needless to say when the boat ripped through, I thought he grabbed the line because the line started peeling again. I guess I got lucky because he only scarred the **** out of the fish.

Finally got him to the boat, a feisty marbled male, 78 cm and weighed in at 18lbs.

1 trap, today, 8 in total, 2 males just under and the rest female

I had the same situation just the other day, nobody giving you any room when you have a good fish on, they just do not care. The trouble is when we post about our good days, it is a big ad, hey come to this area there are fish here, no wonder the parking lot was full, just my opinion.

 

[Steelie9425412]

Decent morning out there, launched at 8:30, got out there in the swells but it calmed down, got one Chinook at the start of the flood within 30 feet of the boat but as soon as the flasher popped he realized he was hooked, looked to be about 70cm. Oh well another long line release. 5 minutes after getting the gear down, got one 8-10 pound wild Coho on the turn, then it turned off. Didn't see any other fish caught (when there was visibility)

 

[Fishin]

Out Friday and today. Parking lot out there both days, but the fish didn’t seem to mind. Friday was the more productive of the two days. Lots of big wild coho made it tough to get down to the springs, but we were able to get into them between all the coho. White hootchie 50 and 90’ being the ticket Friday. Today, bait on both sides, same depths, right off Macaulay Pt. Good luck to everyone in the derby tomorrow!

 

[casper5280]

Was there at 5:30 and parked on the street too. Got in to a lot of coho today, let 6 nice size wild ones go before we got our first 2 keepers. Had 2 nice size springs to the boat and lost both before we got 2 smaller springs both about 10-12lbs. pulled the plug at 11. All fish caught between 55-100 ft on white hootchies and pearl white Kripple K needlefish.