Vancouver Saltwater Salmon Fishing Report
The final report of March! That went by fast, probably because it was another awesome winter chinook season. If you are regular reader of the report, you know it has been great winter chinook fishing in our area since November and we are going on about 6 years of good winter seasons.
Here is where we found our fish this week. The first spot was out at the Bell Buoy. It has been good in that area in 120-180 feet of water as it drops off towards the QA. Find the bait and find the fish. For depths, we have been getting some fish on the bottom but also 10-20% off the bottom. Move around to find the bait balls and you will have good success.
A nice chinook from the Harbour on Monday!
We are also getting some chinook off South Bowen from Cowan to Roger Curtis in 150-350 feet of water, so pretty close to shore. Productive depths have been 90-150 on the riggers.
Nice to see some South Bowen spots producing!
In both areas the brighter chartreuse and green glow flashers have been doing well with the same colours in spoons and hootchies. You can’t go wrong with these flashers, Salty Dawg, STS, Lemon Lime, Green Onion Glow. For spoons, a Skinny G in Irish Cream, Trailhead, No Bananas, and Yes Bananas have all been deadly.
Crabbing and prawning has also been excellent. So, get out there this weekend as this is your last chance at chinook retention in local waters and the traps have been doing well as a bonus!
The Fisheries Notices are out and as per last year, there will be no fishing for chinook regulations in our local waters effective April 1. Your next opportunity to retain chinook will be July 15 in certain portions of Area 17. Coho will open up in Area 29 on June 1, as per last year. Bottom fish will open in Area 17 on May 1 as per last year.
See you in the shop or on the water,
Jason Tonelli