May was a great month for saltwater fishing in Sooke, spring salmon and halibut were very consistent while lingcod and rock cod which opened at the beginning of the month, provided some extra table fare.
Spring salmon have been good from the harbour mouth to Otter Point and also farther West to Sheringham Point. There have been plenty of short fat hatchery springs in the 7 to 15lb range feeding on herring near the bottom in 100 to 200ft of water.
Some larger returning spring salmon have also been showing up in our waters, with reports of 20 to 27 lb lunkers being landed.
Slot size restrictions on large wild spring salmon are still in place until mid June, make sure to check the DFO website or at your local tackle store for details. Halibut fishing was also very good in May with some nice fish coming from west of Sheringham Point.
Herring, mackerel, octopus, salmon bellies and spines placed near the bottom, have been working well for halibut in anywhere from 80 to 250ft of water.
Best results usually come to those boats which are anchoring near a ledge or drop off, setting fresh baits which are rolling in the current. Final Sooke Halibut Derby Standings from May 23/24th weekend, part of the Sooke Saltwater Derby Series.
Harvey Wood 71.06 lbs, Ryan Chamberland 58 lbs, Matt Waldron 56.1 lbs, Mike Koff 56.1lbs, Mike Thompson 53.24 lbs, James Cool 48.3 lbs, Corey Arnett 46.98 lbs, Jason Johnson 45.66, Rich Lundgren 44.38 and Tyee Tom 43.52 lbs. Congratulations to Harvey who took a cash prize of $1,800 for that really nice hali and all the rest of the fishermen and sponsors who participated in the weekend’s derby.
With your help the derby was able to donate $1300 to the Charter’s Creek Interpretive Centre and about 120 lbs of halibut fillets to the Sooke Food Bank.
Photos are up on the website at www.sookesaltwaterseries.ca/photos
Ron Neitsch 2 Reel Fishing Adventures