Bottom fishing in Alberni

[Daveroo]

I'm going to do a weekend trip to Alberni within the next few weeks. Salmon will be my main goal, but I want to try some bottom fishing for lings or halibut too. I have a topographic chart of the canal and Barkley Sound and wanted try a few spots to get to learn this type of fishing better. First, are the halibut hanging around the inner part of Barkley Sound at this time of the year? I am launching from PA Clutesi ramp in an Explorer 542 and as a result will not be venturing out offshore but staying in the canal or the inner part of the Sound where it is relatively sheltered. What kind of bottom topology should I be trying to fish? Along the steep slopes? Gradual slopes? flats? How deep should I be fishing if I am in the Sound? Thanks in advance for tips to a bottom fishing noob.

daveroo

 

[tubby]

Sorry to break the bad news but bottom fishing (i.e. Halis and Lings) is not the greatest 'inside' the sound.....Halis especially. Myself, I wouldn't even attempt to bottom fish for halis until I reached the Kirby Point - Mearse Buff line and outwards. There are some inner sound Ling holes but you'll have to weed out the one or two holes from the many bad. Best fishing of course (especially for Lings) is where the 'edge' of the true open water starts.