Barkley Sound Report

[Alpha-C]

Just returned from 3 days at Barkley Sound.

Fished the following areas, Meares Bluff, Cree, Swale Rock,Lyall Point and offshore.
Saturday morning at Meares, picked up 3 fish, 2 28's and a 26. Lots of fish being taken in the same area. Sunday Morning same spot and not a sniff. Moved to Swale then Lyall Point with the same results. Saw one fish caught at Swale. Sunday evening back to Meares and picked up 1 20 pound spring, saw nothing else caught. Monday morning went offshore. Picked up 3 springs 14-20lbs and 3 halibut from 15 to 35 pounds.
Overall the fishing pales in comparison to last year. There are days when all is great and then the next day nothing. The banks are still producing but you have to work for it, unlike last year when it was almost too easy.

 

[frango]

I too have just got back from the sound.Went out yesterday(21) fished the evening at swale and not a sniff.Spent the night on the hook in the broken group and hit it again in the morning.Caught and released 3 5 lbers and keeped a 20, caught just around gibralter west end.I counted 32 boats and saw two small fish come in.Its a little slow.

 

[frango]

Sorry, make that kept a 20?? Just got off the phone with a buddy who was fishing off china creek today.He caught a 23 around the bend towards port from china today.And the locals had nets in the river when I went thru so maybe no need to go out??

 

[casper5280]

Fished off shore saturday and sunday 6 springs #22-#28 lost at least 20 fish one of the crew lost 10 in a row.Then fished for halibut just 1 about 25.Sunday went out on a radar run in the dark way off shore for halibutfirst 20 minutes 8 black cod,3 butts and 1 spring #35 .Days total 10 butts #65#42#35 the rest 22-30.Springs 12, #48#35 the rest in the 20's and 12 black cod,6 lings all in all a great trip just wish the water was flatter.Lots of big coho also were putting back #20's keep 3 #16-#18

 

[Rob Warren]

Start guiding out of Tyee lodge on the 24th, probly won't be able to give any more updates until after the derby. Good luck to everyone! Be listneing on the squak box, call sign eagle spirit.. tight lines good fishin.

 

[haggardscove]

I too just got back from Barkley, fishing from last Friday to yesterday. Fished most around Pill Point and will echo the statements posted above. Spotty is the best term for fishing on the inside. Good one day (15 minute bite) and nothing the next. Also there are a lot of 10#-15# fish being taken. Yes there are larger ones showing up, but not in the usual numbers for this time of year. Depth was the 30'-50' range with bait, hootchies and coyote spoons doing equally well. Morning bite proved to be the most consistant. Better be on the water from first light and hit it hard for the next 1 hour.

 

[2muchdraft]

Haggardscove,

did you try fishing Diplock at all?
How about Asits point in the evening - seen anything being picked up?

 

[haggardscove]

Yes, 2muchdraft I fished Assists Pt. one evening and picked up 1 about 12#. Lots of boats there but not much of a bite, so I felt pretty lucky. Also tried Diplock & Holford Bay one evening for 0 fish and only one other boat working the spots. Pill Pt. was the most consistant producer of fish. Maybe that was because there were a zillion boats plying the water. Crosse Point had a good bite one morning. Of course I was fishing Pill when that happended.

 

[battaglino]

Casper how far out did you run offshore? We are heading up to bamfield labor day weekend for 6 day. Which means all the fish will probably be down the inlet.

 

[2muchdraft]

Haggards,

Further to your Pill Point update - my dad just came back from fishing there today and around 2pm he landed the biggest fish he has ever seen there - He had to hop on the lady Rose right away so he hasn't weighed it yet but figures it's over 40!

Looks like the big ones are starting to come in!

 

[casper5280]

11 mile bank the first day and about 32 miles out on the 2nd

 

[greenhornet]

Hey fellow anglers

Heading off to Bamfeild for 7 days wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction for some halibut.Have a 18 foot boat so closer is better.Good luck everybody in the alberni derby.
Fish on

 

[battaglino]

Thanks casper. I can't wait to get up there the fishing down here has been really slow. What type lures or bait where you fishing with and what depth where you fishing at.

 

[battaglino]

Thanks casper. I can't wait to get up there the fishing down here has been really slow. What type lures or bait where you fishing with and what depth where you fishing at.

 

[casper5280]

55' and 125' with a 15# ball.Bait Saturday and blue and white hoochie Sunday

 

[casper5280]

55' and 125' with a 15# ball.Bait Saturday and blue and white hoochie Sunday

 

[battaglino]

Casper
I hate using the 15lb balls off shore just too much weight for the little scotty riggers and me. We started using these fish shaped balls that seem to travel through the water a little better and allows us to use a little lighter weight. Thanks agian for the info. Are you up fishing this weekend too?

 

[battaglino]

Casper
I hate using the 15lb balls off shore just too much weight for the little scotty riggers and me. We started using these fish shaped balls that seem to travel through the water a little better and allows us to use a little lighter weight. Thanks agian for the info. Are you up fishing this weekend too?