Vancouver Area: Cold to Warmer fishing...

[fishin_magician]

Well..locally there is something to talk about....for the Vancouver locals....there have been some VERY positive reports over the last few days. I think people need to lighten up as it's almost the end of January and we're just weeks away from the start of another new season.

It's time to get a case of brew, stop whining about the weather and other..ahem..less sporting species.., charter a local guide who specializes in winter spring fishing... if your boat is winterized, no worries, get together a group of buddies, head out F-I-S-H-I-N-G for some good value. I'm not a local operator..but local operators are the best way to enjoy this fishery...value, expertise..and comeradie...that's what it's about...not to mention loads of prawns and large dungeness crab!!

Details of the fish are posted on this thread:
http://www.bcfishingreports.com/forum/index.php?topic=11389.0

 

[Charter Tofino]

How have you made out the last few times?

 

[Brisco]

F.M.,

Would you know if the prawns have all spawned out or are they still holding eggs?

 

[fishin_magician]

quote:Originally posted by kelly

How have you made out the last few times?

Hey Kelly. I haven't been out in quite a while unfortunately...work..work..more work...and family....etc etc.

There hasn't been a whole lot of local effort..but I know the guides who produced these...

 

[fishin_magician]

quote:Originally posted by Brisco

F.M.,

Would you know if the prawns have all spawned out or are they still holding eggs?

Many are still holding eggs but the overall percentage is way down from what it was over recent weeks.

I've seen some awesome hauls this winter..5 hour soak...400 medium to large prawns out of 4 traps--- if you're in the spot. GPS coordinates haven't been forthcoming from that area..unfortunately....I may have to withhold information...ahem...from that individual in exchange for those coordinates! [}]

 

[fishin_magician]

Another report confirming the recent "heating" up in the winter fishery...

http://www.bcfishingreports.com/forum/index.php?topic=11404.0

I'd expect this to turn into a consistency which will only build as we get into late February, March and April.

Looking forward...

 

[fishin_magician]

Still many good results from the last 3 days. Backside of Bowen coughed up another good one this morning in the high teens--just one fish...and a few undersize before they packed it in from the cold and wind. English Bay produced a couple of good ones Saturday morning.

Here's Bon Chovy's Blog detailing his recent outings....from Thursday and Friday.

Git yer game on and go fishing!

http://www.bonchovy.com/blog/

 

[spring time]

what would bon covie be using mostly bait or spoons

 

[fishin_magician]

quote:Originally posted by spring time

what would bon covie be using mostly bait or spoons

The staple for the Vancouver area in the winter is SPOONS. Bait works better into the latter half of April and early May.

Spoons are all you need, bait is working well too...4.5 inch 'Chovies are good too..but spoons are best. Bait is unnecessary at this time of year--waste of time and money.

2.5 Gypsy in cop car, green glow, flamin' hans, Korsch's Killer.

4.0 Coyote in Green/glo, Half Green/Nickel, Half Blue/Nickel, Army Truck, Midnight Rider, Nasty Boy, Kitchen Sink, Cop Car, Mongoose, and Dolphin. The new made in China Coyotes SUCK in terms of hook quality. Change those hooks out first thing before fishing..add a 3/0 or 4/0 stainless Mustad Hook before fishing.

Smaller Tom Macks also work well. Lite Brite Spoons, Diamond Lance, and small Apexes (similar to the Coyotes) in the 3-4 inch size also produce well at this time of year...fish these as per the directions on the package.

Hootchies are not commonly used, small plugs used occasionally when fishing deep deep deep.

Tight lines!!!

 

[fishin_magician]

I'll pass on Predator Charter's latest Vancouver area report.

If this report doesn't get you fired up about fishing...you should take up the 4 letter word...G-O-L-F ! [8D]

The PREDATOR'S PEN Date: February 2/2009.

An update of the local saltwater fishing scene for Vancouver To : Saltwater Angler

By: David Korsch (Predator Charters)
E-mail: davek@dccnet.com Web Site: www.predatorcharters.com
Phone: (604) 329 - 8642 Fax: (604) 886 - 1928


Hello Fellow Anglers

Big things have started to occur with our winter fishery!

We had been seeing a definite increase in the overall number of Chinook over the past couple of weeks as some undersized (45 to 62 cm) and smaller legal fish (7 to 10 lbs) began showing up, and the strong showing of larger than average legal fish (11 to 16 lbs) continued to provide most of the fish anglers were taking home.

In my last newsletter I had been mentioning that it was getting to be time for the odd one over 20 lbs to show up, and they sure did about a week ago! I was out fishing with a buddy off he "waterfall" on Saturday January 24th for a few hours, and within 15 minute we lost a fish, then a second one struck. Fifteen minutes later we had a beautiful 26.5 lb winter fish in the net (and I actually got to play it.....a great first fish of 2009). An hour later we lost another fish that was close to the size of he first one. Seeing two fish in that size class in one day at this time of year was certainly a surprise, but then the action slowed, so we moved to Grace Islands and promptly boated a 14 lb. It was then time to head back to the dock and buy lottery tickets, but I guess we used up all our luck before the $40 Million draw........

Having boated the first big fish of the year was kind of nice, but it only took a day before that fish got bumped off its pedestal by a fish an associate caught. He heard what we caught, so thought he'd give it a try himself, and after getting nothing at the waterfall, he trolled up to Hutt Island and promptly hooked into 3 fish, boating two of them....23 and 29 lbs!!!

A couple days later, the action picked up in Vancouver Harbour as well, and while I didn't hear of any fish over 20 lbs landed, I was getting reports of anglers getting into good numbers of both legal and undersized fish, so it seems we may have good numbers of fish throughout our local waters.

Spoons continue to produce most of the fish, but bait (herring strip or anchovy), hootchies, and 4" Tomic plugs have all produced fish over the past couple of weeks. The best hootchie has been the purple haze, though army truck, green/glow spackle back, and green/white are also good bets at this time of year. With the spoons, there has been a wide assortment of types and colours that have been producing. most anglers are trolling Gypsy or Coyote spoons (the Flamin' Hans and glow Army Truck colours took those 3 big fish), but Tom Mack, Diamond Lance, Diamond King, and P2B spoons are also productive types at this time of year.

Hopefully this kind of action continues during the final couple months of our winter fishery. We have seen these latter couple months be the most productive over the past few winters, and it looks as if the trend is continuing again this winter. While the deep cold spell of the "Holidays" has finally broken, it is always a bit chilly out on the water at this time of year, so I am happy to inform you that my heater is aboard and in fine working order. Having that warm air wafting out of the cabin sure makes a difference.

At this time of year, weather is more of a factor, but when it cooperates it sure is nice to take advantage and get out on the water. Don't be afraid to call even with less than a day's notice, as that can often work out at this time of year.

I am basically available for mid-week charters most days, but I only have every other weekend open. As I have already mentioned in past newsletters I am working on construction projects in the marina mid-week, but I am usually able to get away from that to do charters on short notice. In addition, I will be working the Boat Show during February (4th through 8th), and the Abbotsford Tradex Show in March (6th through 8th), so those weekends are also "booked" already. This only leaves the weekends of February 21st/22nd,and March 21st/22nd open for those of you who would need to do a trip on a weekend, and it looks as if February 21st is already booked (I'm just waiting for.a final confirmation)

Of course, my prawn traps are also out at this time of year so there should be some of them to add to any salmon we catch.

As always, feel free to pass this information along to any associates whom may appreciate the report. If you have any questions, or wish to book a charter, e-mail me davek@dccnet.com), or call me at (604) 329 - 8642.

If you are at the Boat Show, I'll be working in the Scotty booth, so feel free to stop by.

Tight Lines,
David Korsch
Predator Charters
www.predatorcharters.com
davek@dccnet.com
(604) 329 - 8642