Finally some winter Chinook salmon were caught later this last weekend in Sooke. Charter salmon fishing guides reported landing winter Springs on Sunday Nov.16 and Monday Nov.17.
The boats were fishing the area from the Sooke harbour mouth to Otter Point, trolling bait anchovy/herring close to the bottom in 115 to 125ft of water. The operators reported 1 or 2 fish each rangeing from 6 to 18lbs. These are some of the first winter Chinook salmon to be reported. Halibut fishing has been good with most boats anchoring or drifting in 190 to 240ft of water reporting good action.
Successful baits have been herring, octopus and salmon bellies rigged on a spreader bar system using sharp, barbed size #8 to 10 “J” hooks. There are some great halibut fishing spots close to the Sooke harbour mouth accessible to smaller sport fishing boats.
Check out the “Neah Bay” fishing map available at your local bait and tackle supplier. For best results, look for slower moving tides and at least one tide change to fish through, if possible, when choosing a halibut fishing day.
Crab fishing has been getting alot better in the Sooke Harbour with catches of 2 to 4 good Dungeness crabs per outing for our boats. Setting crab traps during an incoming tide using freshly frozen fish or chicken as bait works well for us. If you don’t have a boat the Rotary peer at the foot of Murray Rd. can be a great place to fish for crabs. Good fishing!
Ron Neitch
2-Reel Adventures Fishing