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Salmon fishing slows and halibut season come to a close

Sooke fishing guide takes us to the places where the fish are biting
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Halibut fishing has slowed and come to an end.

Salmon fishing in Sooke is a little slower the last week or two. There are still some great catches coming in, it’s just harder to find them! Depending on the tidal conditions you can expect to get into at least one or two of these winter Springs, maybe more if you hit the right spot. Some boats have been reporting catching salmon in shallower water, from 70 to 100ft with the gear right on the bottom. Best baits still seem to be anchovy,spoons and hootchies trolled on short 3 or 4ft leaders behind bright flashers. The back eddy behind Otter Point (on the west side) and the Tin Shed area seem to be holding some Springs in the long ebbing tides that we have been having. Seems as though the large amount of fresh water coming out of the Sooke River and harbour has been increasing the flow of the ebbing tides, affecting where the salmon have been feeding. The strong ebbing tides coupled with westerly winds have also created some large choppy seas. Check the weather/wind predictions and reports before heading out.

Remember halibut closed on December 31 2014.  Check the regulations on the DFO website or at your local tackle store before heading out. Halibut fishing was good, but fewer decent reports and good days to fish due to poor weather and tide conditions. The sandy spots between Otter and Sheringham Points were still favoured by most of the local halibut fishers. Anchoring in 180ft of water and deeper, dropping herring down on a spreader bar system through the tide change or during a slower ebbing tide was producing good results.

Good Fishing!

Ron Neitsch

2 Reel Fishing Adventures