1. Yes, trust the dock staff for safety. However, the dock staff aren't on the water catching the fish. Talk to the guides..even better. Fish around the guides....like not right close to them, but around them and watch what they're doing, how fast they move, etc. Chances are, if they're fishing there, there are fish to be caught and they're catching fish. If you're wondering how deep they got 'em you can watch how many pulls they put out. Catching fish at Langara isn't rocket science, as a matter of fact it's downright easy provided you're doing the right things.
2. Fish 3-4 rods and space them out on the boat with as much spread between them--change the angles. Fish from 10 to 45 pulls in the stretch of Coho Point. Obviously, you're going to be 100 feet of water at least if you're fishing 45 pulls so you're further off shore. Otherwise, most guides are probably no deeper then 35 pulls at Coho Pt. Coho Point has plenty of trolling from far into Egeria Bay right past the pin. Stay out of the "bass pit" at Andrew's Point. If you get 2 consecutive fish at "20 pulls", then obviously fish a 2nd rod close to "20 pulls". Fish all rods with an 8 ounce weight (maybe a 10 on the deeper)--never mind the 4 to 6 Oz stuff. and use a 6 to 9 foot leader.
3. Bruin Bay isn't going to give you anywhere NEAR the quanity of fish that Coho Point will. Don't spend too long in Bruin unless you're catching fish pretty regularly. It's "early" for Bruin for quantity. Move with your trolling speed---these fish LIKE a good spinning cut plug, they're not lazy, they're fresh and full of fight. Take your boat out of gear every 30-45 seconds, let the lines drop to near vertical then put it back in gear. Find the bait!!! Cover some area though in your "power mooching", if the tide is pushing, and you can maintain your depths....move...you're POWER MOOCHING.
4. Lacy Island can offer some dynamite fishing this time of year. Go there only if it's calm and stay away from mid channel in the big rollers. If there are some guide boats there, chances are, you'll know why.
5. Bait, bait, bait..find the bait. Fish around or in the bait. If it's slow, fish around the bait!!!!!! Eventually some fish will show.
6. Cut your bait on the water--don't go leaving your cut bait in the brine... brine the night before. Ensure your bait has a good presentation. Don't put your bait down unless it's doing what it is supposed to do. Check your cut plugs every 15 minutes if nothing is going on and watch your rod tips. If it didn't come back after a bump, then check it. It's quick and easy to do.
7. Sharp Hooks and good leaders. Reuse leaders if they are fine. Ensure the hooks are sharp.
Tight lines!
Driller,
Best of luck. You are getting really good advice here.
As you seem a little excited and compulsive, let me add a little more advice:
1. Trust the dock staff. They really want you to succeed.
2. Start simple. Having been there many, many, times, we fish four rods most of the time. If you are new to this, fish one rod per person initially.
3. Go to safe and/or populated places. Try Bruin Bay on the flood tide--it is within sight of the Lodge. Spend a lot of time working Coho to Andrews Point. Don't rush from point to point just because others do. Stay away from wind exposed places if you can, because along with the current the wind will challenge your boat management skills when you are learning how to mooch. The results of doing otherwise sometimes are not pretty.
4. Stay away from the West side of the island if it is open. The next stop is Japan.
5. Dress warmly. Although you will have a good padded survival suit, expect 11-12 C weather and you can still get really, really cold if you don't watch it.
6. Think about having a mid day nap (1/2-1 hour) if the fishing is slow. Sunrise is at 5:30 am and they probably will allow you out until 9:00 PM or so. You can get a lot of fishing in, even with a restorative nap.
Norman