Port McNeill fishing slow.

[Clint r]

Been here since Thursday and fishing is slow. Saw a small Halibut an old timer caught. And heard about another guys but never saw it. Havnt seen a single salmon caught since we've been here. In fact, hardly anything showing on the fish finder at all. Fished the spots I know about and the local holes I've been told about and zilch. Looking to you guys for help now. We are catching quite a few Cabezon. Do they like the same type of area halibut hang out in? Or am I in the totally wrong area? Also managed 2 small Pacific Cod and one red rock crab. Pitiful but ive tried everything I can think of.

 

[Aces]

Cabezon won't be in the same areas as Halibut....you need to find more gravel

 

[salmonkiller01]

Try running up toward port hardy and fish off the airport, lizard point, north end of malcolm island. Not that I have ever had much luck up there as I refer to it as the "dead sea". lol

 

[Cuba Libre]

7 in plug at the 200 ft level off the airport. Keep bouncing the downrigger ball into the sand. Cover as much area as you can... The bottom is not so forgiving at Lizard Pt, but given that its dead , its worth a try. Salmon until the slack, switch to hali gear and back to salmon gear two hrs after the slack.

 

[Oly1]

That's too bad you're not having much luck up there Clint. I don't know of any spots up that way, so I can't help you. Sounds like you have some solid leads from some of the other guys. Good luck. How's the new boat doing.

 

[Clint r]

Boats awesome. It's a rocket and very smooth. A little heavy in the back, but I have an aluminum bow tank I'll install when I get home. Should help put some weight forward. Had a small trailer malfunction and dropped my ez steer arm in the drink. Also had to buy a cheap fish finder just for the transducer when mine crapped out. But all in all it's been pretty good. Handled the big seas at Renfrew surprisingly well. Did OK there. Caught 1 halibut 93cm long on salmon gear but no salmon and couple decent Rockfish. Crabbing was pretty good this year. Lots of females and a lot of smalls but still a couple for a crab dinner each day. Lots of boats out there this year. Windy weather finally drove us out of there so we headed north to here and it's been interesting exploring wise, but kind of a dud fish wise. Talked to one old welder who you can't catch them because the fish aren't here yet. Can't catch em if there not there be says. But I'm headed back to Alder Bay tomorrow. Give it another go round. They gotta
Be there some where.

 

[captain_no_fun]

What time are you getting lines in the water? I can remember fishing there when the only bites you would get all day were between 5-7am.

 

[Big Green Machine]

Never had much success there and Telegraph Cove when I went up there, hoe it picks up.

 

[tidal shot]

Try fishing the drop off on black bluff, that place usually produces. Also evening fishing on flood tide at flower can be pretty good.

 

[SpringFever2359]

Hey Clint..
Try back side of Malcom and if not there..trailer over to Coal Harbour and try fishing Cains Island or if weather/wind is good try up off Lippy Pt...pm me for more info
Steve

 

[papalorge]

pm sent clint

 

[Clint r]

Thanks for all the tips everyone. Had some good tips from some people who fish the area regularly and was all primed for our last day. Unfortunately sucked some crap up into my carb and my main motor was flooding bad. Had to load it up and head home. Too bad. Been 10 years since we fished McNeill. Had a good time sightseeing though. Got to see a couple Humpback whales cruise near us as we were drifting. Maybe next time. Just a word for anyone headed that way, bring any parts you might need with you. The guy at the Marine parts store is a pirate. Some of his parts(fish finder) are double what they cost in Naniamo. Just warning you. Don't be shell shocked if you need something from him.

 

[finaddict]

Thanks for all the tips everyone. Had some good tips from some people who fish the area regularly and was all primed for our last day. Unfortunately sucked some crap up into my carb and my main motor was flooding bad. Had to load it up and head home. Too bad. Been 10 years since we fished McNeill. Had a good time sightseeing though. Got to see a couple Humpback whales cruise near us as we were drifting. Maybe next time. Just a word for anyone headed that way, bring any parts you might need with you. The guy at the Marine parts store is a pirate. Some of his parts(fish finder) are double what they cost in Naniamo. Just warning you. Don't be shell shocked if you need something from him.

Clint, do you run a 10 micron fuel/water separator in-line? if not, highly recommend that you invest in one. C/w the filter this will run you about $100 or less and it is the very best fuel insurance you can get.

 

[Clint r]

I have one out in the shop. Will definately be installing it before our next trip out. Also need a new battery and I broke my solar panel so need a new one of those. Never had a flat battery as long as I had mine hooked up. And my kicker motor has been set up for charging but I need to find a wiring diagram for it.