Boat Launch in Sooke

[fishbones]

Hi everyone. I'm just wondering what the boat launch situation is like in Sooke now. Thinking about heading out there this weekend and am unsure of where to launch. Is Jock's dock reasonable? How far of a run is it from sunny shores? Thanks guys,

Fishbones

 

[explorer185]

Suggest you search for the thread "Jock's Dock" and catch up on the latest for launching in the Sooke area.

 

[broncosean]

10 min from sunny shores to around the spit Did it last week

 

[marula]

Jocks Dock is not accessable on a low tide. Big derby weekend also so marina's will be busy. Just plan to leave and return on a higher tide and be patient or head to cheanua but plan to park up on the road this weekend.

 

[SeaFunMan]

DFO reports that all tidal waters between Sherringham and Williams head are closed to all anglers not participating in the Juan de Fuca salmon championship derby.

Please be advised.

 

[scottyboy]

your very funny guy [)]

 

[hstat]

Next door to Sooke Harbor Marina (crab shack) has a launch ramp, but higher tides are better.

 

[otter]

Derby, Sat June 17. 7ft is the criteria for Jocks, 0900hr-1600hr forget it, Look at your tide chart and figure.
Therefore complain to Sooke council for allowing privatization of Sooke marina. They should of purchased it to allow for continuous access for the people.

 

[Yote]

I think that it's a bonehead move to close the only launch in the town other than sunny shores. It will hurt the local economy and is a major pain in the butt for mony people. Someone could make a lot of money putting in another marina somewhere. Something like a place like salmon point with a decent restaurant, some camping and a launch.

These are the same guys that won't let Timmies open up there either so what could we expect[V].

 

[wolf]

Well the day has come boys to accept it nothing will change much,one thing you all are missing!!!!!!!!!

This is a tourism based fishery here in sooke it is a very short window running from late may to late aug being the really only peak season from personal experience as soon as sept 6th rolls around the marinas really slow down because kids are getting ready to going back to school and stuff.

You have to ask your self would you like a paycheck for only 4 months dont think so you dont make a lot of money in the winter months just barely enough to keep it going then a big winter storm comes in a wipes out some floats like renny a few years back and S.S. this year and its not cheap!!!!!

No amount of complaining is going to solve anything until someone with tons of money steps up and does it so you might as well accept it and get out fishing and enjoy what we all have because its only going to get worse so enjoy it while you can

Good luck Wolf

 

[Yote]

But I like complaining.

I guess now that Wolf set me straight, I'll have to go out and fish.

 

[marula]

I agree with wolf, not only is the season short, how much do you buy in sooke, for me nothing. I make sure I have all the gas, food, bait etc before i leave my driveway. Can't leave anything to chance by not being open or out of stock at sooke or the marina. Easy access to our waters will slowly disappear as high property values make a marina and ramps not viable compared to development. It's a sign of the times im afraid.

 

[Yote]

As long as people think small about Sooke, it will just stay that way. It's only a half hour from Victoria and that isn't that far to go. I wasn't just referring to a launch with parking but more of a place to go and eat and look at a tackle shop etc. On the way to sooke there was that place that opened up with a restaurant and kayak rentals etc. If it would have been better managed and the food edible with even a bit of costomer service thrown in it would have worked but nobody cares there and it's a flop. There's a long strip of good fishing between Victoria and Renfrew.

 

[Tips Up]

Someone should open a Tim Hortons with a boat ramp

Seriously Marula is unfortunately correct and puts it pretty simple. It comes down to $$$. I too spend zero $$ in sooke when fishing there.

I am bummed by the closing of the ramp also. I will no longer be fishing Otter in my 16 footer because I am not excited about running out of Sunny Shores as I am assuming that the added number of boats running from there with no other option is going to make the Sooke Basin a Gong Show!!

Maybe something will happen in a few years when all of the new condo owners start complaining about the boat noise and traffic running past their new homes at 5:00 am.
Be sure to give a honk on the way by

Tips

 

[Yote]

I am surprised that any boat launches make it at all by that argument, they are all seasonal and somehow they seem to survive. They are all waterfront property, esquimalt anglers, Pedder Bay, Salmon Point, I guess they'll all close up and we'll be fishing from aluminum boats that we can drag from the beach.

 

[casper5280]

I have fished out of Sooke Harbour for years and will miss it greatly.I like to fish Otter away from the crowds but if its choppy at Wiffin Spit will fish Sec. and the Trap. I did stop at the Sooke Payless most mornings for a coffee or some last minute thing and on the way back to wash and fill up boat.Most mornings I would stop at the Petro-Can in Colwood(that is a whole other story,I always thought that place was a gold mine can't figure out why they don't open a couple hours earlier)now stop at the Shell.
This season I was going to run out of Sunny Shores.Went out of there last Saturday for the shake down run before the derby.I have no problem running out of there,no worse than running out of Chennea.I was there before they opened,paid on way home and was surprised at $10.00 to launch.This year it will probably be a toss up, the parking at Chennea will be a joke and the crowds at the Head and that area a pain in the butt.Sunny Shores parking could be just as bad if it becomes the place in Sooke.One other thing about Sunny shores is it is only a single lane ramp.From what I saw last year at Jock's Dock is a joke, is the place the condos should have been built.
Someone should talk to the people at the tin shed and open it up for launching,I believe there is a ramp and must be some type of dock that could be put in place or is in place.There is parking.So all they have to do is get up early and take are money,it is all ready there,it's not like they have to put a whole bunch of money in to it.