Winter saltwater fishing in Sooke is off to a good start with opportunities for salmon, halibut and crab in local waters now.
Last weekend we saw some decent reports of feeder springs at the harbour mouth and Bluffs area. Although a bit on the small side, the salmon are there, taking anchovy, spoons and hootchies. These salmon are right on the bottom as usual in 100 to 160 feet of water.
Halibut fishing has been great with some larger fish in the 40- to 60-pound range, showing up in local waters closer to the harbour mouth.
Herring, octopus, and salmon bellies have been attracting halibut consistently in 150 to 250 feet of water, presented on double J hooks attached to spreader bars so that the bait is spinning in the current.
Some great tide predictions and better weather and wind reports for the rest of November should provide more awesome halibut fishing in our area.
Please remember lingcod and rockfish are both closed in Sooke waters for the winter season, and will reopen in the spring.
Crab fishing in the harbour has been spotty with those fishing from the Rotary Public Pier probably doing better than those dropping from boats, as pier fishers are checking the gear more often.
On the local fishing derby front, we have the Sooke Boxing Day Chinook Derby 2015. This is the last of the Sooke Saltwater Series derbies for the season, tickets available soon at fishing tackle providers.
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Ron Neitsch is the owner of 2 Reel Fishing Adventures, in Sooke.