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Winter fishing for Spring salmon

Ron Neitsch talks about where the big ones are in the Sooke area
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Jason holds up two Springs he caught with his father Brian on January 12.

Fishing for winter Chinook salmon in Sooke has been great.

We have enjoyed many flat calm days with low winds and some sunshine as locals and visitors alike have been getting out on the water more than usual this winter. There has been an abundance of porpoises and even a couple of transient Orca whales in the area feeding last week.

Spring salmon ranging from 5 to 15 lbs have been plentiful in front of Sooke Harbour and west toward the Tin Shed and trailer park areas. Most trollers are fishing deep with the gear from 120 to 160 ft on the downriggers, but we have seen some boats hooking up in 80/90 ft of water as well.

Anchovies, spoons and hootchies will work well for these actively feeding fish. Glow anchovy teaser heads, Coho Killer spoons, and glow hootchies with green, red, and yellow colours have been working on our boats. Bright flashers like those in the “Kinetic” series and those with glow properties are popular. Try running the gear closer to the boat, 8 to 10 ft from the downrigger ball for more action on the lure. There have even been winter Spring salmon spotted in the harbour in and around some of the marinas!

Halibut will be opening February 1, 2015 with a daily limit of one (1) per person per day, and a max. size limit of 133cm. Check the DFO website or visit your favorite local tackle store to read the regulations for yourself before heading out.

Crabbing continues to be spotty, with most successful reports coming from those fishing the Sooke Rotary pier with chicken as bait to keep the seals from harassing the gear. Good fishing,

Ron Neitsch

2 Reel Fishing Adventures