We were scheduled to head out Thursday with some of our regular clients, Tim, Doug, and Chris and as the day came to a close on Wednesday I wasn’t too happy with the wind forecast. We had already postponed a few winter spring trips with this group earlier in the year due to strong wind warnings so I was really hoping the winds would die off so we could get out to Thrasher on Thursday. When I got down to the dock at 5:00 am on Thursday morning the forecast indicated the winds would be backing off as the day went on so the trip was a go. The crossing was a bit lumpy to say the least but the conditions at Gabriola were quite comfortable and there was only one other boat there.
It took us about an hour to find the fish and the first fish we hooked took off hard, peeling line, and then doubled back and went right into the rest of the gear on the starboard side. It broke off and then we popped the rods on the starboard side and we were able to fight the fish off on of these rods and actually land it, despite the fact it had broken the original mainline! This was a true team effort with Doug, Chris and myself managing all sorts of tangled flashers, hoothchies and spoons, but we got the fish in the boat!
This fish was determined to get away but team effort prevailed!
We experimented with some different depths of water and depths on the downrigger but eventually our most consistent action was further offshore than Monday and the fish were shallower as well. 200-400 feet of water was a good area, and the hot depths were 90 to 120.
Tim with a nice chinook.
The best lures for us were hootchies in green and blue shades with some glow and spoons in green/glow or black/glow.
By the end of the day we had hooked 8 good fish and boated 5. The wind laid down late afternoon and we had a nice smooth ride back to the dock.
Chirs posing with the days catch back at the dock.
On Monday none of the 5 fish I cleaned had anything in their stomach. On this day, all the fish had stomach contents. 4 of the 5 fish were stuffed with 4 inch herring, and the biggest fish of the day had a 12 inch Pacific Cod (aka True Cod) in its stomach!
The weekends are starting to look full for June but if you have availability during the weekday give us a call at the shop to book a charter. 604-872-2204 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 604-872-2204 end_of_the_skype_highlightingThe winds are looking fantastic for this week, the forecast is for light winds, and the fishing is excellent. We are booked Mon, Tue, Wed, but we have Thur and Fri open.
See you on the water or in the shop!
Jason Tonelli