There is a difference between the weekend guy who goes out numerous times and keeps what he catches and can keep over a season and the guides who have to find fish under 102cms in a few hours. Halibut fishing is a mix of days with nothing or one or two nice ones and days with a few smalls. To find only smalls every trip is gettings like scoring a hat tick every game. (and most hali trips are 4 guys so you need 4 smalls now to make them as happy as they can be with all smaller fish.)
Early Halibut Opening
- Thread starter carpeweekend
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wildmanyeah
Crew Member
They can always buy a bigger one, I know talking about that on here is a big no no but it’s not like anyone is going to battle for more quota so I don’t see why if someone wants to retain and pay for a big one that they need to be named and shamed.
I think it would be different if the rec sector was actively battling for more quota but that hase t happened in years and I don’t see it happening again.
I don’t no the details but I believe a guide can get 20 pounds of quota and then transfer it and pay for more after the fish is caught.
I also find it weird that that could make or break someone booking like there is always the chance you catch nothing or not get limits but I guess it’s about selling the opportunity of a big one.
I think it would be different if the rec sector was actively battling for more quota but that hase t happened in years and I don’t see it happening again.
I don’t no the details but I believe a guide can get 20 pounds of quota and then transfer it and pay for more after the fish is caught.
I also find it weird that that could make or break someone booking like there is always the chance you catch nothing or not get limits but I guess it’s about selling the opportunity of a big one.
Doug
Well-Known Member
I agree that most fish caught are probably under 102cm in area 19/20.
I don't know about a fish sizes report and sure would like a copy.
There are guys who fish race rock, and Oak Bay, and they know what they are doing and catch bigger than 102cm 70% of their trips.
Here is the halibut catch and release info from 2024 Creel Survey Report. Feb 2025
Page 17, table 15, is the recreational kept halibut catch estimates.
Page 18, table 16, is the released halibut catch estimates.
I don't know about a fish sizes report and sure would like a copy.
There are guys who fish race rock, and Oak Bay, and they know what they are doing and catch bigger than 102cm 70% of their trips.
Here is the halibut catch and release info from 2024 Creel Survey Report. Feb 2025
Page 17, table 15, is the recreational kept halibut catch estimates.
Page 18, table 16, is the released halibut catch estimates.
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wildmanyeah
Crew Member
You can take the weight and devide it by the piece count to get the average size caught,
This is obviously bias as it’s retain fish but the average sizes in most areas are below 15 pound fish.
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SpringVelocity
Crew Member
Should have been opened from June to August. That was a mistake in my opinion.
Wasn't my call though.
Wasn't my call though.
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fishinforever
Well-Known Member
lol just get rid of the South Island fishery entirely?
Yah for those 2 good tide days in area 19 in August.
wolf
Well-Known Member
WOW true colors showed in that statemet right there . So hurt the entire island even more. have to look at the big picture like tackle stores, rec guys,guides,restaurant,air,holtels,airports, Do i like i NO I hate it but fish belong to all canadiens not select few , YES I want bigger too but remember it was DFO that said ok lets open for 2 fish in late summer only to come back with ohhhhh you went over so we will take that off next year "SORRY"
I said it WAAAAYYY back last year they would do it to appease certain user groups and they did.
issue is the spilt isnt enough and until we get more its always going to be a issue and what the west coast takes in 1 single day doesnt even touch what the south takes in 3 months.. there enough said
MRW
Active Member
Well I have to say im excited to get out for a halibut fish. Although finding a 102 cm may be hard to find for me, try some new spots I guess.
My thoughts are why don’t they have a slot limit say between 90-120cm . Keep some small ones for the future aswell as keep big breeders. Or maybe limit us to 6 again I’d say six halibut in that size should be enough fish for the year.
Just my thoughts
Good luck out there April 1st.
My thoughts are why don’t they have a slot limit say between 90-120cm . Keep some small ones for the future aswell as keep big breeders. Or maybe limit us to 6 again I’d say six halibut in that size should be enough fish for the year.
Just my thoughts
Good luck out there April 1st.
SpringVelocity
Crew Member
Sorry but true colors. Omg
. You really need to look in mirror on that one. 
I agree with opening early when there isn't a risk of us buying quota from recreational quota aystem to cover. You know that is what is going happen. It's going to be very popular this year now.
This size restriction is terrible and you know it. Anyways I don't lose sleep if you don't like what I posted! Have a great day.
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XRQ has varied from 7,000 lbs to 18,000lbs taken last year. This year I’ll bet good money it’s over 40,000 lbs after I’ve had at least a dozen people tell me they have no choice but to use it despite never before. And that’s only the people I know of. The Chinese and US tariffs are going to be very hard on halibut commercial fishery is they stay in. Very very hard.
Whole in the Water
Well-Known Member
Totally wrong in many peoples minds!!! Buying quota is privatizing a common property resource that belongs to all Canadians. It supports a very dangerous and negative trend to further reducing the right of all Canadians to go and catch a fish that already belongs to them. If you don't believe go and try to catch a salmon or cod on the east coast. People who buy quota for rec fishing should be named and shamed IMH!!
Srthomas75
Member
I could see this trend having similarities to hunting guided territories. ( ie: the animals/ resource is there but it’s a costly way to get access to it compared to the local do it yourself type setup )
wildmanyeah
Crew Member
wolf
Well-Known Member
When have you ever seen me say close a area down a screw over a area that be never!!! I dont want anyone to suffer the way my buisness and my community has over the last 13 years ,as you may know or maybe have forgot we in area 19/20 have been hit the hardest and the longest before anyone else!!!!!!!!!... I dont need to look in a mirror your statement is almost as good as trudumb and his ways ... Your a friend but way off base on thisSorry but true colors. Omg
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Regardless of size South Island guides have lost opportunity due to late opening.
This will be lost revenue for guides, stores, restaurants, gas stations…
Getting rid of the Experimental Lease Program and adjusting TAC is the RIGHT ANSWER. How long has this experiment gone in now? Still trying to strong arm us into having to buy it.
Worst case adjust the regs by region. South Island needs March opening. Personally speaking I can live without February as the weather is unpredictable. Close season mid July.
Further North in lodge land could open May till mid September.
This will be lost revenue for guides, stores, restaurants, gas stations…
Getting rid of the Experimental Lease Program and adjusting TAC is the RIGHT ANSWER. How long has this experiment gone in now? Still trying to strong arm us into having to buy it.
Worst case adjust the regs by region. South Island needs March opening. Personally speaking I can live without February as the weather is unpredictable. Close season mid July.
Further North in lodge land could open May till mid September.
Don't mind different area openings, I don't believe the fleet is as mobile as some make it out to be. Someone isn't going to pull a 26ft boat 6 hours up island for one halibut when they had months of open halibut down south.
ship happens
Crew Member
There are fundamental problems with this whole situation.
First one is who needs to bonk 10 halibut in a year? Noone needs that much per licence holder.
Second one. How can you tell a licence holder they are allowed 10 fish yet only one fish in possession? It's like a backward trick for fisheries managment. Then say we'll it's only open during this specific time.
Be way better off for everyone if they based the yearly licence holder limit based on TAC. So let's say everyone is allowed 3 fish. Who cares when you go get them. Should be able to go get those fish all at once or however you want.
First one is who needs to bonk 10 halibut in a year? Noone needs that much per licence holder.
Second one. How can you tell a licence holder they are allowed 10 fish yet only one fish in possession? It's like a backward trick for fisheries managment. Then say we'll it's only open during this specific time.
Be way better off for everyone if they based the yearly licence holder limit based on TAC. So let's say everyone is allowed 3 fish. Who cares when you go get them. Should be able to go get those fish all at once or however you want.
trophywife
Crew Member
totally agree, those three should also be a combined weight so you can catch one, two , or three dependant on area and biomass size. we have choices in our area to target sizes. hunt a bigger or go chicken plucking.
uclueletcharters
Well-Known Member
It’s a sport fishery, the days of saving on a grocery bill by sport fishing is long gone if you own a boat that can run offshore. The new limits are what they are and if they maintain the stocks for future generations it’s the right thing to do. The old days are gone. Fishing is really about enjoying being out on the ocean, catching some fish and good conversation, it’s about the whole experience. I’ve sat on many boards and it’s a tiring thankless commitment that puts one in a tough place when hard decisions have to be made and they aren’t the preferred decision but the best option and many times the only option. I highly recommend if you have the energy to ***** and complain to sign up and get involved, you will see for yourself and it will be a humbling experience. Hats off to all involved donating their time for the cause, it’s very appreciated.
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