Easy water boating

[fish stalker]

just picked up my first boat in Victoria very excited to finally be boating and fishing on my born and raised island. I have my boater licence and have taken the power squadron course so know a some on navigation and boating ect. I have lake fished for years but saltwater is pretty new. I was thinking I would like some calmer water for my first trip out tomorrow afterwork 5ish. Not sure where wind kicks up in the evening etc. and was thinking some calm waters mabey Brentwood Bay? And ramp not to hard to manage? Im close to Esq and Beecher bay might be ok but thought I can get out to far so mabey somewhere a bit more shelterd? I heard Sidney is calmer? Any thoughts for a newbie? Thankyou!!

 

[scott craven]

It really depends on the wind direction.
last couple of weeks , the wind has been from the WSW
so the east side of the island is protected.
Keep an eye on Big Wave Dave http://www.bigwavedave.ca/forecasts.php
and you will have a good idea where the sheltered area's are.

 

[Dave S]

just picked up my first boat in Victoria very excited to finally be boating and fishing on my born and raised island. I have my boater licence and have taken the power squadron course so know a some on navigation and boating ect. I have lake fished for years but saltwater is pretty new. I was thinking I would like some calmer water for my first trip out tomorrow afterwork 5ish. Not sure where wind kicks up in the evening etc. and was thinking some calm waters mabey Brentwood Bay? And ramp not to hard to manage? Im close to Esq and Beecher bay might be ok but thought I can get out to far so mabey somewhere a bit more shelterd? I heard Sidney is calmer? Any thoughts for a newbie? Thankyou!!

Congrats on the new to you boat. Lets see some photos!

As far as sheltered waters and easy launching for a newbie, Esquimalt launch and fish odgen to clover point. Beecher Bay and fish aldridge to church.
Brentwood is nice a protected but no fish opportunities. If you've got prawn traps, game on! Sidney can be a zoo at the ramp, but there is good crabbing close by, and it's always nice to pull up to the beach at James Island or Sidney spit. I've never had great luck out there for salmon, but I'm sure some are around.
I would stay away from the busy launch times until you get things dialed. It can get crazy with a lot of impatient kooks.

cheers

 

[Time]

Forgive me if I mis-understood your request, but as I read your post, I assumed it was the launching etc. that had you concerned.
From Esquimalt Pedder Bay would probably be my choice - I think it's an easier ramp than Cheanuh, and still relatively close to your home. Ramp is in good shape (or at least used to be), and not too steep. Protected from the winds too.
If it's not busy, tell the fellow in the office you're new to this launching and retrieving business and do the launch, put it in the water, and retrieve it several times. This includes sliding it off the trailer and moving the vehicle and trailer. (It's a slightly different proposition backing an empty trailer down a ramp than one with a boat on it because you do not have the visual contact with your boat, have to rely on side mirrors.)
A bit of practice and you won't be intimidated by the launch-ramp pros when you hit a busy time.
Get that down, then do some motoring about the bay, get a feel for the boat from how tight a turn you can make at low speed to how it handles in reverse. Practice docking too.

Then put your poles in the boat and go fishing confidently knowing you can handle the launch/retrieve/docking parts.

Hope this helps.
Good fishing.

 

[Shepnoir]

Hey FS,

Time nailed it in terms of pratice docking. easy way to do this is to drop a couple bouys / bumpers tied to the bottom (crab traps) and practice parallel parking and learning how it handles at slow speeds. Preferably on a calm, no wind day. Might even get a meal outta the deal

 

[Adler]

Hey Stalker,

Great to hear you've got the boat and will be getting out on the water. As someone who has also just picked-up my first boat this year, I've been gaining the same experience for the last few months, and it certainly is necessary to simply put the time in - get out and experience different areas, ramps etc. I agree with TIME, Pedder is probably the easiest to launch from, although Esquimalt and Cheanuah are alright too - it's actually the getting back onto the trailer that is the hardest, and then the steep ramp at Pedder has the others beat, especially at low tide (ideally stick to the right side looking towards the land when coming in, though, there is a hole on the left side that can trip you up if out for the first time). I was grateful for the patience and assistance provided by the staff at Pedder the first few launches, but there are helpful people at all of those areas (I haven't been to any others yet - although Cattle Point, Goldstream, and Sidney are in the plans). Oh, and get yourself some good gum boots, or better yet, full waders cause you will have to go into the water/on the trailer - learned that from experience.

In terms of location during windy days, as we have been experiencing most afternoons, do pay attention to bigwavedave, my experience is that a max of 10 knots is launchable, from 15 up it's a bad day to head out. But if it's a windy day in Sooke/Victoria, it is usually calmer in Sidney or Brentwood/Saanich inlet. Pedder offers some protection and I understand you can stay within the mouth of the harbour there and catch fish. The trip in and out of Pedder is good to get to know your boat well.

Good luck, have fun!

 

[fish stalker]

Awesome advise everyone thank you!!

No pics unless theres bloody decks in the background . Shes no beauty queen more like a rocker chick. But I have a good fishy feeling about her or him lol.

I woulndt have thought of crabtrap 'dock'. Some practice is defiently going to be needed! And a bit more safety gear.

Good advise on the waders Cornflake I wouldnt have thought of that!

Thanks again everyone! I will give you a trip report tomorrow!

 

[fish stalker]

Well did the first test run out at the lake and she went fine! I know I have been spoiled by fishing in a 100g grady white and its turned me into a bit of a boat snob which I will have to get over. My whole boat package cost less then his kicker. My biggest issue is the 2 stroke smell. I was reading last night bike guys say theres actually a difference between oil brands? and theres strawberry scent you put in which sounds a little weird and its expensive. Any thoughts?

The steering is also a little tight so Ill have to read up on hydrolic line and rams etc.

Its feels alot smaller in the water with the waterskiers wake everywhere I can imagine its going to be like that in the ocean which makes be a bit worried.

How do electronics work? The more **** you have on your boat the more chance of bad vibes being giving off? hence the blackbox. It only has a little fishfinder and electric scottys w/braid now. I want to upgrade to a gps/finder unit and a vhf and sound system. Do I have to make note on how much these things draw when choosing?

Going fishing tomorrow hopefully! oh what size cannon balls for around here 15's?

 

[scott craven]

"How do electronics work? The more **** you have on your boat the more chance of bad vibes being giving off? hence the blackbox. It only has a little fishfinder and electric scottys w/braid now."

If you're using braid, there's no need to worry as it does not transmit voltage.
I went from using 12 lbs to 15lb balls this year and suggest they are the way to go.

 

[GDW]

You could use 15's if you want I think a lot of people use 12's but 10's were the standard for years. They have always worked and still do especially during the summer when fish are shallow. 10's are all i used last season with great success. I have one 15 and hardly ever use it the downrigger retrieve speed is a lot slower with a 15 vs a 10. Give it a year or two and Craven will be usin 20's lol! Size of the ball doesn't matter although bigger helps you drag bottom and during the winter i will run 12's.

Add as much electronics as you want just do your wiring correctly and make sure you have a good battery or better two good ones. Don't worry about the 2 stroke smell it will grow on you.

If your boat felt small on a lake with a couple boaters be very careful on the ocean. How big and what make is your boat?

 

[fish stalker]

its a 18' Marlin. From what I can research it was a company out of Surrey that only made boats one year. Very deep for a runabout type boat. I will post a pic. Im going to double check the length with a tape I think too.

Is that what braid is all about nice. Yup running two batterys.

 

[Scavenger]

Your thinking too hard, and too much. You should be just fine in any 18 footer, just use common sense. What you need is a big salmon tugging on your line to stop thinking about all the B.S. and get down to what counts. Good luck. Take someone that knows what they are doing if you need but you will learn alot faster by trial and error.

 

[beemer]

Congrats on the new to you boat. Lets see some photos!

As far as sheltered waters and easy launching for a newbie, Esquimalt launch and fish odgen to clover point. Beecher Bay and fish aldridge to church.
Brentwood is nice a protected but no fish opportunities. If you've got prawn traps, game on! Sidney can be a zoo at the ramp, but there is good crabbing close by, and it's always nice to pull up to the beach at James Island or Sidney spit. I've never had great luck out there for salmon, but I'm sure some are around.
I would stay away from the busy launch times until you get things dialed. It can get crazy with a lot of impatient kooks.

cheers

Sorry Dave s , but that is not good advise for a new boat owner. The Victoria waterfront from Sidney to Sooke can be unforgiving depending on the wind direction and current. If you decide to venture out go on a day that is predicted to be flat calm and IS flat calm and bring a experienced boater with you. Build from there.

beemer
www.c-towVictoria.ca

 

[Dave S]

Sorry Dave s , but that is not good advise for a new boat owner. The Victoria waterfront from Sidney to Sooke can be unforgiving depending on the wind direction and current. If you decide to venture out go on a day that is predicted to be flat calm and IS flat calm and bring a experienced boater with you. Build from there.

beemer
www.c-towVictoria.ca

Yeah, I guess your right, stick to Brentwood. Lots of fish there. Beemer is right though about wind and current. I would stick to the glassy days and if the wind picks up, just be aware of what it's gonna be like to get back to the launch.

Stalker, I know you took the power squadron course and I'm sure they taught you lots.