8 days up Georgia Strait...where to fish

[halibutsteve]

I'm running a 40 foot cruiser with a fishable skiff from the San Juans through the Gulf Islands, up to Desolation and then to Pender Harbor, July 5 through 13. I'm thinking about getting a $50 sport license for 5 days of the trip. I'd appreciate any recommendations on dungeness, shrimp, steamer clam, or salmon opportunities. Unfortunately, being the 'captain' with the family onboard, I can't do endless fishing on the journey, but from anchor can troll out of the skiff.

thanks. I appreciate any thoughts on what's worth doing.[?]

 

[Kisinana]

Savary Island may be the best bet to spend a little time. You can drop the crab traps (North side and west from the government dock)and use the skiff to go across to the mainland eastward(about 1.5 miles) from Mace Point to what we call the Iron Mines and put down prawn traps at the south end and then fish the bluffs on a tide change or 2.
Meantime the family can enjoy the sandy beaches and warm waters of Savary.
best bet is trolling is green/silver or tiger prawn hootchies or wonderbread coyote spoons around 100 ft

 

[halibutsteve]

Kisinana,
Thanks for your reply. From the reports, it doesn't look like there is really any salmon fishing opportunity? I will be a day or two in the Gulf Islands, then up to Desolation, then back to Pender Harbor. Looks like clams are not the best (pollution?) and I'm not sure if the $$ is worth a license just to catch crab.

Any other thoughts? There should be good opportunity in the Seattle area when I get back, so maybe I just take a vacation FROM fishing for the cruise?

 

[Pippen]

halisteve...

Depending on what you guys have to pay for a license....those dungeness crab are well worth the price of a license. Outstanding eating!!

Keep an eye on this site as it may provide some reports in the Sunshine Coast/Pender Harbour/Secret Cove area.
http://www.user.dccnet.com/FISHINGSECHELT/fishingdiary.htm

Depending on where you are at in the Gulf Islands the fishing is generally not all that good and hasn't been in a few years. Yes as you get over closer to Pender Island or outside of Gabriola etc it gets better but it all depends where you are going to be tying up/dropping a hook. As you get up into Desolation, the fishing really 'tends' to taper off but how far up are you running? If you get up towards Sonora and Stuart Island ask the guys at Dent Island if there are fish around. I have boated up that way and much further north many times and the guys at Dent have been outstanding in letting us know where things are happening. You also don't "have to" have a downrigger at the right time...we were dragging a bucktail behind the boat and were picking up the odd spring where the Dent fella's said it would work that way.

There is also pretty good prawning in various areas up in Desolation. We have done well off Mink Island.....also toward the mouth of Pendrell Sound and if I recall correctly right in the sound as well.

 

[halibutsteve]

What depths do you use for prawns and dungies up there? down here we fish prawns around 160-200 and dungies around 60

 

[Kisinana]

Same for Dungeness, but a little deeper 250 for prawns. The commercial prawning guys will be finished and the prawning has been good.
Salmon has been hit and miss but there is a run that we normally get around Lund the first 2 weeks of July.

 

[Cuba Libre]

But dont be put off trying deeper for crabs... its not uncommon to fish traps at 80-130 ft.

20ft Alumaweld Intruder

 

[halibutsteve]

OK, thanks all. I'm leaving Friday morning, got pumped enough about prawns I now have two traps and some shrimp pellets. I guess cat food as well? If you see the GAllivant steaming by, give me a shout!

Can't seem to add a pic here....I'm in a 41' roughwater

 

[halibutsteve]

OK, thanks all. I'm leaving Friday morning, got pumped enough about prawns I now have two traps and some shrimp pellets. I guess cat food as well? If you see the GAllivant steaming by, give me a shout!

Can't seem to add a pic here....I'm in a 41' roughwater