Halibut Caught in Georgia Strait

[Kisinana]

Is it just my imagination or were there a lot more halibut caught in the Upper Georgia Strait area this year?
Normally we hear of one or two off the Powell River side, a dozen or so in comox area and maybe double that in Camppbell River.
This year it seems all totals are triple that and Comox has done even better.
Any thoughts, are people targetting them as well? As a lot seem to have been caught trolling close to the bottom.
It would be nice to see them return in abundant numbers.

 

[Governor]

No not your imagination, there was a greater abundance of halibut thoughout the Georgia Strait.

I also heard that the Nanaimo area saw far more halibut caught than in recent years plus Sidney and the lower Gulf Islands area caught more halibut than usual too.

There are definitely more halibut and they have chosen to move back into the Georgia Strait.



Gov



God never did make a more calm, quiet, innocent recreation than angling - Izaak Walton

 

[Little Hawk]

Don't forget the one rumored taken off Ambleside in West Van a coupl'a months back.

 

[the fog ducker]

It's true ... FD... Compliments Jay !!...

kosi99@hotmail.com

 

[eaglemaniac]

Theres alot of incidental catch out off of Bates, Kitty Coleman etc. I have not keyed on them as such. But it's sure nice to scrape one up once in a while. eman

 

[Charter Tofino]

Ya there were alot more than normal caught. I told myself i was going to target them but i never ended up doing it as the salmon fishing was pretty solid. I think there were 3 caught at our marina in june/early july. 20-49lbs

 

[Sculpin]

I believe the Harbour Chandler in Nanaimo has started a Halibut club so to speak. Kind of like the Tyee Club in Campbell River. Cool stuff for sure. Go for it guy's!

"I'm not talkin bout pleasure boatin or day sailin......I'm talkin bout workin for a livin"- Captain Quint

 

[Dirtdog67]

Hey Kelly, you never tried that place I was telling you about at the shop.. Give it a whirl, lots of salmon in that general area this time of year.. (Heads)
As well, if the Herring spawn is any good in there this season it would be worth dropping a XL down..cheers-dirty

 

[Peahead]

quote:Originally posted by Little Hawk

Don't forget the one rumored taken off Ambleside in West Van a coupl'a months back.

2 off the cap /ambleside this summer/fall . Bonchovy got a 22 lber late summer and one on Sept 21st (the shot above of an 18 lber that FD posted caught on Andrew's boat "Salty Dog")
Also a few off Bowen/hole in the wall last couple of years. One 54 lber off west Bowen Island a couple years ago.

 

[Copper Moon]

quote:Originally posted by Sculpin

I believe the Harbour Chandler in Nanaimo has started a Halibut club so to speak. Kind of like the Tyee Club in Campbell River. Cool stuff for sure. Go for it guy's!

"I'm not talkin bout pleasure boatin or day sailin......I'm talkin bout workin for a livin"- Captain Quint

If that club gets going, its only for Halibut caught in the Nanaimo/Gabriola area.

 

[bigredsnapper]

The French Creek area produced a couple 50lbers this year. I know both guys and they were both trolling for salmon deep near bottom, one with hootchy and the other was a coyote spoon. Me and Bushy are the only two guys I know of who actually targetted them and were successful. Mine was 35lbs and Bushy's was 65lb(photo at the Beachcomber Marina office)The top secret location has not produced any in the last two years but we have only tried a couple times. There used to be lots around before they were fished out, so you would assume they will return if left alone.BRS

 

[knucklebuster]

my cousin got a 20 off the east side of galiano this summer.close to Active Pass

a total MILF.Man I Love Fishing

 

[Charter Tofino]

quote:Originally posted by Dirtdog67

Hey Kelly, you never tried that place I was telling you about at the shop.. Give it a whirl, lots of salmon in that general area this time of year.. (Heads)
As well, if the Herring spawn is any good in there this season it would be worth dropping a XL down..cheers-dirty

Cheers dirty thats one of the spots i have been wanting to hit. Dont think shes open anymore though but will definatly at some point give it a go in that area.

BRS top secret eh? Bidding for Gregs secret spot starts at 10$ do i hear 15?

 

[Pablo2079]

Maybe the RCAs have actually helped the Halibut recover..... hope that's the case.

 

[bigredsnapper]

RCA's as the name implies was designed to help rockfish. Most of the areas protect rockfish habitat(shallower rocky areas) whereas the hali like it deep and flatter, but I guess it doesn't hurt. BRS

 

[Klob]

Caught a few Flatties in 60' or less. They will go were the food is. The RCAs definately did not hurt.

 

[Pablo2079]

Looks like the RCAs in the middle of the strait (Halibut and McCall banks) cover a lot of deep flat area.

I also haven't seen the trawlers on the Mainland side of the strait for the past few years... used to see some pretty big boats scraping the bottom clean. [xx(]

 

[nedarb2]

i was trolling off logan in renfrew this summer behind a guy who pulled up a double header of hali's straight off the waterfall in about 40' of water

 

[kthomas]

Hmm interesting...anything caught by pender island?

 

[Governor]

you asked ... Hmm interesting...anything caught by pender island?

Yup

God never did make a more calm, quiet, innocent recreation than angling - Izaak Walton