Fishing report ending December 9, 2012
OVERVIEW – Fishing was FAIR TO GOOD over the last week when the weather cooperated. The main focus is now winter springs (feeder Chinooks).
Sooke – Winter spring fishing has been FAIR in the area. There are winter springs to 10 lbs in the area, but most of the salmon are much smaller. The most action seems to be in front of the bluffs in about 150 to 220 feet of water with the baits down from 80 ft to 130 ft. Otter Point has also been good. Anchovies are catching the most springs and Bloody Nose and Purple Haze teaser heads are the most popular when fishing bait for winter springs. Since the winters are very active feeders, just about any gear will catch them. One very good combination recently has been the Purple Haze squirt behind a Purple Glow flasher
Becher Bay – Fishing was GOOD for winter springs. They have now moved into the bay, from just outside the marina and out between Lamb Island and Frazer Island. There have been some larger fish caught this past week, with a 13 lb spring the biggest. The hot spot has been in the trough out from the Flag Pole. Spoons have been really effective this past week, with Green/Silver and solid White Glow Coyote spoons the best. Many anglers are still fishing for springs with bait, with anchovies being most popular choice. The best teaser heads for anchovies were the Purple Haze and the Bloody Nose. Like usual, the fish are close to the bottom and glow in the dark flashers are a good choice.
Pedder Bay – Salmon fishing was GOOD even though few boats went out this past week. Most of the springs this past week were under 5 lbs in size. Squirts seem to be the most productive bait with UV colors like the Jellyfish, Purple Haze and Electric Chair the best patterns. Anchovies are a productive bait too with Bloody Nose and Purple Haze teaser heads the most popular now. The best flashers have been the Purple Glow and Purple Haze.
Victoria Waterfront – Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week. Constance Bank had winter springs up to 12 lbs on it, with lots in the 2 to 6 lb size range. Action has been pretty good there, especially artificial lures. Good artificial lures are Army Truck, Purple Haze and Glo Below squirts. Many of the boats are having no trouble getting their limit of winter springs. Closer in, there has been some good action too. There have been springs all the way from Clover Point to Albert Head. The bad news is that the seals are back to this area and anglers are losing fish to them, especially around Clover Point. Coho Kill spoons have also been effective with the UV Purple Haze patterns very popular. Good choices in plastic baits are the Army Truck, Purple Haze and the Glo Below. Good flashers have been the Green/Glow and Green/Silver Hot Spots.
Oak Bay – Salmon fishing has been SLOW on the Flats. Anglers were catching mostly small winter springs while fishing close to the bottom. Scott Craven reported catching a 9 lb spring on a glow spoon and flasher in Oak Bay on the weekend. The best bet for springs is trolling right on bottom in 60 to 120 feet of water with squirts, Baitrix tiny strip, small anchovy or Coho Killer spoons. Good squirts were the Electric Chair, Pickle Green, J-79 and Jellyfish. With spoons, 3½” or 4” Gypsy, Titans, and Coyotes in Cop Car or Silver/Green colors and the Gold Star Coho Killer. Glow in the dark flashers would be the best choice for springs now.
Sidney – Salmon fishing was FAIR in the Sidney Channel. There have been lots of undersize springs in the Sidney Channel and a few large enough to keep. We’ve heard of a 12 lb spring from near the Red Can. There has been some action off Moresby Island as well. Coal Island should be a good spot to try now too. Many anglers have been fishing for springs using anchovies in Bloody Nose, Purple Haze and UV Green teaser heads. Squirts have been out producing hootchies recently and the hot patterns for springs now are Purple Haze, Glow Below and Electric Chair. Mongoose Coyote spoons have also been working well.