South Vancouver Island BC Fishing Report

By Island Outfitters Sportfishing Centre | Last updated: September 16th, 2019

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Saltwater

OVERVIEW – Coho fishing has been GOOD and improving over the past week. Most of the coho are being caught in Juan de Fuca Strait. The number of unclipped coho greatly out numbers the amount of clipped fish. Chinook Salmon fishing has been HIT AND MISS. That said, some of the largest salmon of year were caught this past week. Halibut fishing was GOOD in most areas early in the week.

Coho fishing has been GOOD in the Strait. Most anglers are catching them well out in at least 300 feet of water. The number of clipped fish is low regarding the total number of coho. Spring fishing was SLOW. Still, some big springs are being caught. Secretary Island, Possession Point and Otter Point were the most productive locations this past week. Anchovies and herring were the best baits for all salmon this past week. Good choices for teaser head colors are Chartreuse, Purple Haze and Bloody Nose. Spoons such as Gibbs Skinny G’s, Wee G’s, Coho Killers and 4″ Coyote spoons have been good for all salmon. AP Tackleworks spoons have also been good in Lemon Lime. If you are using hootchies or squirts, make sure it has green as one of the colours. Popular flashers have been the Lemon Lime, The Bon Chovy, the Madi and the Super Betsey.

Pedder Bay Marina reported LOTS OF ACTION for those salmon fishing in the Strait. Coho fishing has really picked up and it is worth going out for them. However, only about 1 in 10 are fin clipped. Most of the hatchery coho have been in the 3 – 5 lb size range, with the odd larger one to 10 lbs. The most consistent coho fishing has been out in deep water.  Church Rock to the Bedford Islands have produced most of the chinooks this past week. The springs have been in the mid-teens. Spoons have been very effective for coho with Skinny G’s, Wee G’s and AP Tackleworks spoons catching fish. The smaller spoons have been working the best. Green and glow or green and silver have been the best colour combinations. Anchovies and herring were the best baits for salmon this past week. Good choices for teaser head colors were Glow Chart, UV Green and Bloody Nose. Hootchies and squirts were working with Pink, Purple Haze or UV Green good colour choices.  Flashers that are popular include the Gibbs Guide Series Madi or Bon Chovy and Green/Silver Hot Spots. Halibut fishing was GOOD during the slower currents this past week.

Freshwater

Fishing was GOOD for trout and EXCELLENT for bass.

Dale Whittaker caught a 5 lb 1 oz rainbow trout from Langford Lake on a Rainbow finish Rapala on Sunday to take over the lead on our trout leaderboard. Trout fishing has been FAIR for trout at local lakes. With the summer weather the trout will be found near the thermocline or the bottom where the water is colder with more oxygen. Shore anglers are catching trout on Powerbait, Gulp Eggs, and worms while fishing close to the bottom. Pink, Chartreuse and Fluorescent Yellow have been good choices recently for Powerbait. Fly anglers are mostly fishing Wooly Buggers, Leeches and Chironomid patterns. Trollers are catching trout with worms fished behind Gibbs Gang Trolls and on Gibbs Wedding Bands. Tomic Plugs in 2”-3” sizes have also been working well for trout.

Bass fishing is GREAT on Island lakes as the water temperatures rise and the bass move into the shallows prior to spawning. Bass from 2-5 lbs. are being taken on a regular basis from most lakes. Anglers are having success on a variety of lures. Crankbaits, Spinnerbaits and soft plastics are all producing well now. Black yum dingers have been very effective. Langford Lake, Shawnigan Lake, Prospect Lake and Elk and Beaver Lakes are the best local bass lakes. St. Mary’s Lake on Salt Spring Island is also a great lake for bass fishing.

Fish Tip of the Week

Buy Two! Murphy's Law dictates that if you have a hot lure, you're sure to lose it. If you don't have a back up you're out of luck. So next time you pick up the newest hot lure or fly, consider buying two. And don't miss out on all the bargains at this coming weekend's Fishing and Boat Show at Eagle Ridge Arena in Langford!