Fishing in Sooke ocean waters continues for coho and winter chinook salmon.
This time of year anglers are shortening trolling leaders and tend to run the gear closer to the boat to increase action for the winter chinook salmon swimming closer to the bottom.
These smaller winter or “feeder” chinook salmon are known for their high omega oil content, dark red flesh and, of coarse, great eating.
Winter trollers usually find these salmon close to the bottom in 120 to 160 feet of water.
Sooke harbour mouth, Trailer Park and Otter Point are traditionally great spots to find these fish, trolling glow, or glow green anchovy teaser heads, hootchies or your favorite erratic spoons on three or four-foot leaders.
Halibut fishing in our area has been very good. Those venturing out are reporting one to four halibut per trip, from 15 to 60 pounds, coming from spots close to the Sooke harbour mouth.
Anchoring in more than 200 feet of water, setting down herring, octopus or salmon bellies on spreader bar systems has been productive.
There are some good tides in November where the current will be slower to allow longer periods for fishers to keep their bait on the bottom where the halibut are feeding.
Crab fishing in Sooke harbour remains consistant. We have been picking up two or three keeper-sized male Dungeness crabs while out on our fishing excursions. Those fishing off the Rotary pier pulling traps are probably doing better.
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Ron Neitsch owns and operates 2 Reel Fishing Adventures in Sooke.