By Ron Neitsch
Fishing in the Sooke salt water took a downturn over the last week, mostly due to weather which affects pressure or how many boats we see going out fishing. This in turn diminishes the number of accurate reports coming in.
In other words, the fishing for spring or chinook salmon has been slow, because we are not getting a lot of reports.
Halibut fishing has been much more consistent, with many fish 30 to 50 pounds coming in from local spots. Most of these fish are being taken on a spreader bar system with herring, mackeral, or octopus hooked onto large hooks so that they roll or spin in the current on the ocean floor.
Best depths for Halibut have been 150 to 250 feet of water.
Crab fishing in the harbour has been steady with large male Dungeness crabs taken at the public Rotary Pier.
Most crabbers use chicken as bait to avoid seals or otters harassing their traps, try smearing your crab bait with peanut butter, a paint stir stick works well to spread the tasty bait, and watch your catches increase.
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Ron Neitsch is the owner of 2 Reel Fishing Adventures, based in Sooke.