Newbie heading to Nootka for first time..

[rlovin]

Hello all,
I am new to the forum and heading to Nootka for the first time on Friday, and was hoping to find out a couple of things.
1: Hardware- I will be heading up there with a full assortment of gear that has been successful in the Puget Sound but expect that I will need to upsize my offerings to target larger fish.

Is there an adequate supply of gear sold either at Moutcha Bay or Critter Cove or should I look to get a few things before I head up?

3: Bait- How is the bait availability up there? Is it readily caught with herring jig? Do most brine/cure their bait?

2: Terminology- When does a "Spring" become something else? I am seeing many references to the current run of Chinook being "springs", at what point do they become something else (summers? falls?)?

This forum has been very informative and thank you all in advance for the help!

Ron

 

[directmule]

Hello all,
I am new to the forum and heading to Nootka for the first time on Friday, and was hoping to find out a couple of things.
1: Hardware- I will be heading up there with a full assortment of gear that has been successful in the Puget Sound but expect that I will need to upsize my offerings to target larger fish.

Is there an adequate supply of gear sold either at Moutcha Bay or Critter Cove or should I look to get a few things before I head up?

3: Bait- How is the bait availability up there? Is it readily caught with herring jig? Do most brine/cure their bait?

2: Terminology- When does a "Spring" become something else? I am seeing many references to the current run of Chinook being "springs", at what point do they become something else (summers? falls?)?

This forum has been very informative and thank you all in advance for the help!

Ron

Critters has a fairly good supply of gear, Moutcha has a small amount. As far as bait, Moutcha has frozen bait and I'm sure Critters has also
Terminology - a chinook is called a spring..........also slabs, smileys, hog and many more terms, also called "Kings" mostly by Americans just as coho are called "Silvers" by Americans, has nothing to do with the seasons.

Check out the following threads:

http://www.sportfishingbc.com/forum...ound-Esperanza-Reports-Spring-and-Summer-2011

http://www.sportfishingbc.com/forum/showthread.php?16527-Nootka

Might see you up there, we're heading up tomorrow morning for two weeks, staying at Site #12 at Moutcha Bay Resort, white Hewescraft 200 Searunner

Dennis

 

[rlovin]

Dennis- Thanks for the info, I can't wait to get up there! I'll be staying in the lodge and will be sure to stop by site 12 to say hello.

I look forward to meeting some Nootka veterans when I am up there as I am considering making this an annual trip and want to hear about other's experiences.



Arima SR17 freshly re-powered with 90 Honda.

 

[SeaWolf]

When you head into Campbell River and make the left turn for Gold River off Highway 19 there is a pretty decent tackle shop, River Sportsman on the right behind the Car Wash backing onto the Campbell River. If you want ice, continue straight past the Gold River turnoff over the bridge 1 mile towards Port Hardy, Boatland will be on the right past the Chrysler Dealer. Fill up your coolers. Another good tackle shop is Tyee Marine on the Old Island Highway accross from Discovery Pier. Marine Gas (cheaper) is available at the Shell next lights after the Airport on the left.

 

[Shepnoir]

Seawolf,

Any idea if they have sea ice at Boatland?

 

[Derby]

You'll have to hang a left turn at the lights just before the Campbell river bridge to go to Gold river....River Sportsman is on the right hand side with plently of parking for you and your boat....they have everything you require with good staff

 

[SeaWolf]

Just called, fresh ice no salt. Better than buying it in bags at the gas station. Campbell River Seafoods has Salt Ice, I assume they opened in July, not sure. They are closed around lunch hour, hard to park there with a boat on trailer.

 

[Charlie]

It has been a few years, but if Campbell River Seafoods is closed give them a call. Someone is usually there if it's not way to early or late. If someone is there, they will usually meet you at the side door. The side street is usually not that busy (when I've been there) and I have parked right in front of the large side door. You will be able to get most of the rig off on that side street.

 

[directmule]

Up at 2:30am this morning, at ferry by 4:40am and at Moutcha Bay Resort by 11:50am, boat in the water by 12:30pm and the unloading started & setting up our site, after a (few beer) and knowing we have two weeks, we just sat there and relaxed, finally got the gumption to at least go out and put the prawn traps in and back in by 6:00pm. If water/weather co-operates tomorrow, it will be the outside.

Lots of fish coming in.........hot spots.......according to Moutcha Bay are Camel Rock, Strange Isl., Hoiss Pt. and Outer Banjo. Anchovies for the inside 40 - 50 ft., outside anything works.

Don't know where this ice question came from but Moutcha has salt ice if anyone wants to know.

It's 9:18pm that makes it an almost 19hr day..............way too much for two old farts like us, so will continue tomorrow.

Dennis

 

[rlovin]

Thanks for the up to the minute report!

Are there any fishing etiquette unique to Nootka that I should be aware of?

For instance- What is common practice for when you get a fish while trolling with a mass of boats, stop everything and fight the fish? Try to motor out of the group? Keep trolling in the same direction?

Thanks for helping me not look like an arse!

 

[easywater]

Usually you will motor out of the group.

Not too likely that a bunch of boats will want to get out of your way when they are on the troll and you aren't paying attention.

 

[directmule]

Thanks for the up to the minute report!

Are there any fishing etiquette unique to Nootka that I should be aware of?

For instance- What is common practice for when you get a fish while trolling with a mass of boats, stop everything and fight the fish? Try to motor out of the group? Keep trolling in the same direction?

Thanks for helping me not look like an arse!

Hey! we were all fist timers once, no special etiquette that I know of for this area or others. I have found in the Nootka area most boats will give you room if they know you have a fish on, keeping in mind I said most...............there has to be 1 in every crowd that I've found over the years. Usually "Right Rod Rules" ............meaning if your boats right rod is against the shore line, and there isn't much room to get an oncoming boat through, it should give you the right a way, usually has worked for me until you meet a guides boat, then at times they become B.C. Hydro or the Government, GODS in other words and simply do as they please, even though they know better but can get away with it. I have been known to yank the line out of the down rigger clip, drop the balls & hit the throttle, a few choice words fly over the water...............but when you meet them again, their boat gives you room................lesson taught.

Left at 6:00am this morning for the outside, weather was good, water was very snotty out past "Wash Rock" fished about 2 miles out from the rock and then back and around the rock. Released around 10 - 12 coho voluntarily and another 6 -7 un-voluntarily. Released 3 small springs and came back in with 2 hatchery coho & 1 teenager spring.........all on a white & light green hoochie.......between 47 & 80ft
Wind picked up around 9:45am and the water became a little on the angry side but we stuck it out. Probably fish the inside this afternoon.

Dennis

 

[KCW]

Sometimes it pays to fish away from the crowd , there's dozen's of points and bays to fish,some guys troll out in the middle of nowere and catch fish. Bait for some , if you get the correct hootchie / flasher combo or the certain colour spoon you don't need bait. If the fish are there in numbers they are easy to catch. Be warned once you go there you will be back , it just stays with you