Bait cycle in Oak Bay Waters

[John Ingram]

Years of fishing at Gonzales point I have noticed that the summer bait seems to run in a 3-4 day cycle that circles Oak Bay waters.
If there is lots of bait and birds working the bait at Gonzales point one day the next day all the birds will be
at or near Trial Island, next day out on the flat. One more day over near discovery Island. next day in nearer the Marina then 1 more day back at Gonzales.

 

[agentaqua]

Interesting observation, John. Any idea as to what kind of bait it was - juvie herring, needlefish, etc?

 

[Rayvon]

Tide/current will push it.Same tide/time of day?

 

[eroyd]

I've been out on a Saturday with bait boiling up all over the place on the flats and lots of fish action, then gone out the next day Sunday, expecting similiar, and it's dead. Sand lance seem to be there all the time but the best action lately is when those firecracker herring flush in.

 

[John Ingram]

Interesting observation, John. Any idea as to what kind of bait it was - juvie herring, needlefish, etc?

The bait is the juvie herring

 

[John Ingram]

I've been out on a Saturday with bait boiling up all over the place on the flats and lots of fish action, then gone out the next day Sunday, expecting similiar, and it's dead. Sand lance seem to be there all the time but the best action lately is when those firecracker herring flush in.

I find when the current is running fast past Gonzales the bait will try and hug the shore and stay in the kelp.
The birds will eventually drive it out deeper and into the current and the bulk of the school will be swept away to
another location the next day. yes it is the herring. There have been some HUGE schools of the herring off of the point
and quite a few salmon thrashing through it.

 

[eroyd]

I've seen a lot of bait pushed right into the area in front of OB Beach Hotel from Gonzales area during a strong flood. Doesn't appear that the salmon follow. I remember back in the 1970's the area's around the marina had excellent shore fishing. I've had a couple of good days when the bait is swept a little further just off the SE edge of Mouat Reef .

Oak Bay is a cool place to fish. Lots of structure, nooks and crannies, currents and even the flats if you prefer the monotony of trolling. This is my first season boating out there in a long time, so there's lots to re-learn. I think my experience fishing rivers is paying off. The better fish I've been into have been in places you wouldn't want to be trolling expensive rigs.