2026 Nanoose Bay/French Creek Reports

[Admin]

Post your 2026 fishing reports here.

 

[HumpyLuvr]

Got out of FC on Friday before the wind picked up. Tonnes of birds, bait balls 0-200ft. Almost equal hits between plugs and spoons at bottom and mid water column. No keepers in the boat but we did manage to pull up a bit of excitement in the crab pot.

 

[sweettjim]

Got out of FC on Friday before the wind picked up. Tonnes of birds, bait balls 0-200ft. Almost equal hits between plugs and spoons at bottom and mid water column. No keepers in the boat but we did manage to pull up a bit of excitement in the crab pot.View attachment 123666

big one

 

[BcChrome]

Anyone been out lately ? Heard theirs a derby tomorrow. Will give it a go and report back.

Anyone ever drop prawn traps on the shelf on the humps in the off season? Wondering if it’s worth a shot as it looks like decent structure

 

[Rad Gumbo]

How'd the derby go ?? looked like about 30 boats out yesterday

 

[salmonkiller01]

We were out yesterday got one keeper released a couple under. Tried this morning not a sniff.tried for an hour but was too cold and windy.

 

[BcChrome]

We got 1 keeper at 64cm and released quite a few just barely under. I’m sure all those fish would be large enough late April… spoon down deep did the best.

 

[Buddha]

Our group came over from the Mainland for the derby as a last weekend away before the new fishing season. Splashed the boat at around 3:00 pm Friday and headed out to shake down the boat. Found out one rigger was short 50 feet from having the right amount braid. Went to switch to the back up rigger and discovered we left the keys to the locks in the truck so we switched spools and covers with the back up. Steady action but all were just under and shakers with a few doggies. Got everything to hit gear and bait except for the 602 plug. Small coho were jumping and hitting unattended gear at the top. 3 hours in had a massive tangle that wrapped and cut the cord on the rigger. Derby hadn't even started and we have changed spools and lost a ball already. We called it a nice shakedown troll and called it a day. Pretty big NW welcomed us Saturday morning. Being from out of town we only knew the 1 tac around the humps in the 220-230 FOW contour. Steady action in the morning but hit a nice 1.5 hour window where 3 of the fish were over 64, 67,69. Around 11:00 all action just stopped. Decided to go in for a pit stop and weigh in fish and head back out. Only shakers for the PM. Sunday morning was calmer but colder. Very scratchy morning. Got a few contender keepers (but just short) on anchovies but nothing to weigh in before the noon cut off. We did hook a 60 cm pacific cod on a spoon. Lost our second ball when the braid was chafing against a rough pulley. Overall lost 2 balls and rigging along with 3 flashers and set ups. Derby winner ended up being over 14 lbs. Overall great weekend excursion to finish off the season and hope to be able to make the trip again next year and learn more places to fish in the area. Preferably shallower. Tired arms all around. Everyone we met were super friendly and helpful. Found a great NY style pizza place called Craigstreet Pizza. The staff all enthusiastically fished the derby in the AM and the slices are amazing. Light, airy yet crispy crusts. Inhaled 3 slices but wasn't bloated. Better pizza than 95% of the places on the mainland.