Ron Neitsch | Contributed
Saltwater fishing in Sooke is great.
Winter chinook salmon are caught consistently at Sooke harbour mouth, east towards Beechy Head, and west in front of Trailer Park.
This time of year the salmon are usually deep near the bottom in 90 to 140 feet of water.
Fishing glow gear, anchovy, spoons or hootchies trolled behind bright flashers works well in our area.
Halibut have been good at a water depth of 230 to 250 feet, from Sooke harbour mouth to Otter Point and beyond.
Herring and mackeral set down on sharp J hooks work well for these large tasty flat fish. Try looking for a day when the tide or current change is between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Crabbing has also picked up in the harbour with large male Dungeness crabs in the area.
The last fishing derby for 2018 is the Sooke Saltwater Series Boxing Day Derby, which finishes the year-long tournament. Day tickets are $40, which includes a beer at the ceremony at the Prestige Ocean Resort Hotel, and a chance to win $3,500 for the largest chinook salmon weighed in.
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Ron Neitsch is the owner of 2 Reel Fishing Adventures, based in Sooke.