The lift and drop causes the hoochie to flutter and the thump when it hits the bottom creates a disturbance designed to catch the halibut’s attention. Halibut Fishing in Ucluelet BC with Wild Pacific Charters produces the best memories of fabulous halibut fishing adventures with load of white meat to enjoy. Inside Barkley Sound, the Broken Group and the Deer Group are the two most popular areas to explore. Stretching from Ucluth Peninsula in the north to Cape Beale in the south, Barkley Sound offers some of the most spectacular fishing for salmon, halibut and bottom fish on the entire North American continent. Fishing for Halibut is one of our favourite things to do at Alberni Charters and the Folger Halibut Grounds in Barkley Sound is one of our best spots. This set up gives him a chance to hook up with either halibut or salmon. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. This area is one of the most accessible regions of the coast to fish for halibut and salmon. These banks begin at Swiftsure at the entrance to Juan de Fuca Strait and are interspersed up the length of the Island. Anchoring is also a common tactic if the anchoring ground allows it. This shows that halibut can be caught anywhere, including waters with little history of producing fish. Ralph is a die-hard fisherman and he suggested that more halibut were being caught in northern Georgia Strait than previously. The recorded history of European contact with Pacific halibut goes even further back. During days where weather in not so great we take advantage of the sheltered waters of Barkley Sound which is just outside the Ucluelet Harbour. The Barkley Sound run of Chinook was forecasted to be the biggest Barkley Sound run in 20 years and is proving to be very consistent. Green or Blue flashers with small spoons have been working well as has anchovies. Good fishing starts in February and builds through April and May when the action shifts to salmon, but halibut can be caught right into the fall months. The halibut were hitting army truck hootchies bounced off the bottom on the troll. Catch salmon, halibut and try a host of…, Every year, derby-winning fish come from the shelves around Poett Nook. Oak Bay, Pedder Bay and Cheanuh Marinas are the primary access points while the Esquimalt Anglers Association ramp has ample capacity for trailer boat traffic. Lots of bait inshore so the fish are on the bite. Choose a 4 or 8 hour sport fishing charters package or have a trip customized just for you. The vast majority of halibut that anglers are going to hook up with are from 10 to 40 pounds or exactly the same size as mature salmon. It is generally a deep water fishery, anywhere from 250 to 350 feet, and the bites can come on throughout the day. The main body of Georgia Strait has never been considered prime halibut ground, however that might be changing. Native fishermen also developed sophisticated fishing gear and tactics. In spite of this remoteness nearly every key fishing region is accessible to trailer boat anglers. These areas offer truly wild west coast fishing experiences. class fishing opportunities in sheltered waters. He then handed me a stiff Peetz rod/Peetz reel set-up loaded with Dacron line and a weighted spreader bar baited with whole herring. Fish the bumps at Chrissy Pass on the flood and fish Ripple Passage, which also holds lots of lingcod and yellow eye, on a small tide. Many days will see 10-30 Chinook hooked between 10-30 lbs. Unlike Barkley Sound where much of the angling is done in open offshore water, this area offers large protected water that is suitable for smaller open boats. The base colours for the metal part of these jigs are usually shades of glow, white and bright chrome and may include a secondary colour like pink, red or chartreuse. Hoochies also fall into the soft bait category and will take halibut if trolled very slowly with a flasher or dodger that barely activates the hoochie. Trolling using downriggers, right above the bottom has been the most productive depth. The tactic is to lift the jig about a foot to a foot and a half off the bottom, then drop the jig until it hits bottom. Vancouver Island Fishing Charters, Port Alberni, BC. The bite is on in Barkley Sound and its been a great few weeks! Barkley Sound is one of British Columbia's most productive salmon and halibut fishing regions. Barkley Sound is full … They also have a tendency to change … Saltwater salmon & halibut sportfishing hot spots at Bamfield, Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Anglers prefer whole herring, mackerel, squid, salmon bellies, octopus and salmon heads fished on circle hooks which improve the survival of released fish. The outer bank fishery runs through the late spring and summer season and provides mixed catches of salmon and mid-sized halibut. He believes these fish are coming through Johnstone Strait. You will be sent an opt-in email to confirm that you would like to receive emails from us. The park’s 10,607 hectares of Barkley Sound between Loudoun Channel and Imperial Eagle Channel is interrupted by hundreds of islands, islets and rugged outcrops that make up the group. All of the sport fishing guides favorite spots have been hot. A little later in the month, Diplock, Whittlestone, and Beale light up. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. China Creek. Potential visitors to the west coast of the Island should know that the further north they go the more remote the geography becomes. Over the nextfew decadesthere was significant expansion of the halibut fishing effort from inside to outside waters north towards Alaska and along the west coast of Vancouver Island. Ucluelet has had some wonderful fishing. Bigger plastic baits are always a good choice and they should be slowly trolled with downriggers set close to the bottom. The history of European commercial halibut fishing on the West Coast goes back to 1888, when East Coast halibut fishermen arrived in BC. Other enhancements include using tandem hooks tied with coloured Dacron line or with pink, glow or red plastic tubing slid over the line to add some pop to the presentation. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. In Canada it is the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). | Copyright © 2021 Alberni Charters, Every year, from May to July, the Alberni Inlet sees one of the largest migrations…, Alberni Charters offers a full spectrum of fishing charter packages: day trips, and sockeye charters,…, Fishing for delicious winter springs is a special experience in the serenity of Barkley Sound.…, The Full Barkley Sound Experience 5 day charter is the ultimate all-inclusive west coast fishing…, We create participation-style adventures where guests are welcome to be as involved as they wish…, We offer derby-winning fishing and experience-it-all charters. opportunities, but without the danger of trip cancellations due to So their boats need to be properly equipped with navigation, communication and general safety equipment. West coast salmon fishing has not targeted Sockeye but targets Coho and Chinook and halibut. If the weight rubbed on the bottom, signaled by the rod tip erratically jerking upward, pull it up a turn or two and keep watching. Other examples include adding a few glow beads or even a large white hoochie positioned on the line right in front your natural bait. has been good. Chartered Halibut Fishing in Barkley Sound, BC During a chartered halibut fishing trip offered through Eagle Nook Resort, we provide you with a wide selection of halibut baits and lures, as well as everything else you’ll need to catch halibut on the West … This website is estimated worth of $ 8.95 and have a daily income of around $ 0.15. This lets the line run to the bow while anchored, but allows for a fast release for safety reasons or to get away from the anchoring tackle while playing the fish. Every year, derby-winning fish come from the shelves around Poett Nook. They are generally smaller, in the ten to thirty pound range and are being caught at the hump south of Campbell River, Century Shoals, the hump off Kitty Coleman, Cape Lazo and Grant’s Reef. Here’s Jim’s analysis and advice for halibut fishing out of Port Hardy: These halibut are migratory with the smaller fish showing up first, followed by large fish in the summer with the barn doors coming in September and staying around until November. barkleysoundfishing.com Between Port Renfrew and Quatsino Sound there are hundreds of qualified guides and scores of resort operations offering their services in true wilderness settings. Surrounded by deep waters rich with diverse marine life, Bamfield has This is principally a tourist fishing region with charter operations, some fishing resorts and tourist accommodations as well as boat ramps and tackle shops for those who bring their own boats. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. They are more commonly used for rockfish but can also be effective on halibut. Enjoy an all inclusive fishing package at Barkley Sound Lodge, a unique floating BC fishing lodge with first class sleeping accommodations and gourmet food. Jim Henschke and his wife Nita own the Bait Shack and Castle Point Charters and have a wealth of knowledge about the area’s salmon, bottom fish and halibut fishing tactics. Map of Barkley Sound BC Located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Barkley Sound is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, dotted with amazing islands, and loaded with life. Anglers planning to fish unfamiliar west coast Vancouver Island destinations need to do some research and then decide whether they want to go on their own, use charter services or purchase resort fishing packages. Use tandem single hooks or circle hooks whenever possible and try dressing up your natural bait by adding a brightly coloured Teaser head when trolling herring. downtown Port Alberni, China Creek offers a beautiful Marina and world Thompson, a well-respected US fisheries scientist and biologist who later headed the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), halibut stocks were being severely over-fished as early as the beginning of the 20th century. Or worse, losing all of your gear if you have to release the anchor for safety reasons or if it’s hung up on the bottom and you don’t have the manpower to get it free. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. In addition to assuring you an incredibly relaxed stay, this seclusion promises some of British Columbia’s finest salmon, halibut and lingcod fishing year after year. By signing up for our newsletter, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. The fishing effort was intensified through technological advances in fishing gear and by the capacity of vessels to travel further afield. When the dogfish are around, Martin switches his lures to curly tailed jigs or big spoons. This place has the largest feeding grounds of any location on the BC coast for Chinook salmon and Halibut including the protected Barkley Sound. I'm not sure how familiar you are with WA rules and regs since you're from Cali but be aware that the salmon and halibut regs can be very confusing and highly restrictive in WA. Alberni Charters Port Alberni, Vancouver Island, BC P. 1-250-735-6503 E. info@albernicharters.com, Member of the West Coast Fishing Guides Association, Vancouver Island | Transport Canada Certified | Two Time Ducks Unlimited Derby Winner! At Rocky Point Charters, located in Bamfield on Vancouver Island, you will experience some of the finest fishing for Coho, Chinook and Halibut that the BC West Coast, and Barkley Sound, has to offer.Bamfield gives you access to many different runs of fish, providing some of the most reliable and consistent fishing on the entire coast. This area of Barkley Sound is on the edge of sheltered waters with deep sea fishing Port Renfrew, Barkley Sound, Bamfield, Ucluelet and Tofino are all accessible by a few hours driving from Victoria on good paved or, in the case of Bamfield, maintained gravel roads. Vancouver Island is blessed with some excellent halibut fishing areas. Offshore halibut, ling cod and salmon trips are 2 to 4 day adventures - we base these trips from Bamfield staying at local lodges so we can be out on the water quickly. BARKLEY SOUND. Martin Paish from the Oak Bay Marine Group knows these waters and has this advice for catching south Island halibut: He notes that this early season fishery is highly under-rated, but does require some technical understanding of anchoring in areas with strong currents and 200-foot plus fishing depths. Port Hardy lies right in the middle of prime halibut ground that runs from Cape Scott all the way through the inside waters to Sayward. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Hot Pursuit Salmon & Halibut Charters: Fishing trip - See 53 traveller reviews, 58 candid photos, and great deals for Ucluelet, Canada, at Tripadvisor. Drifting allows the jig to bounce along the bottom which improves the action of the flexible plastic tail. His jigs are usually tipped with high quality mackerel, herring, octopus and salmon bellies. When he does try for halibut he fishes areas with a sandy bottom, trolling deep with either a large spoon, or a green hoochie on a fifty inch leader behind a gold Betsy flasher. Best Halibut in Barkley Sound, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District: Find 4,717 Tripadvisor traveller reviews of THE BEST Halibut and search by price, location, and more. Anglers who are unfamiliar with offshore fishing might first consider taking a guided trip before venturing offshore in their own boats. Not only are there good-sized halibut to be found in near-shore spots like Koitlah Point (affectionately known as the Garbage Dump), Duncan Rock and Tatoosh Island, but Swiftsure Bank and other offshore humps have provided excellent halibut fishing for 30 years and continue to do so now. In fact when the east coast commercial fishermen arrived it was said that the tribal fishermen always out-fished them with traditional methods. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. In the 1970s and 1980s when I began fishing Barkley and Nootka Sounds in August and September it was extremely rare to see any halibut brought into the campgrounds, now they are a staple for every lodge and charter operator on the west coast of Vancouver Island. There are quite a few places to camp on beaches including sandy areas with pebbles making beach landings quite simple. Anchoring is the best technique as it out-fishes drifting by a factor of at least five to one, so the tactics and heavy tackle previously described for anchoring with spreader bars and real baits work best in these waters. They were also aware of its value to native tribes along the coast. The Bait Shack is located at the Bear Cove Marina and they only carry tackle and bait that anglers need for fishing this area. The west coast of Vancouver Island is an immense area with countless fishing destinations. Barkley Sound is located on the Western shore of Vancouver Island. Start typing to see results or hit ESC to close. The anchoring tackle includes enough anchor line to provide sufficient scope based on the greatest depth the angler plans on fishing over. A large single hook embedded in the lead is fixed in the upward facing position to avoid snagging on grabby bottom structure. Our average halibut catch is over 46 pounds. It also stops the float from getting too close to the boat due to changes in current or wind direction. When a halibut took the bait the rod tip bent slightly towards the water followed a few seconds later by some harder downward pulls. Lower the spreader bar until the suspended weight hit bottom, reel up a couple of turns and set the rod in the holder then wait. The Barkley Sound is renowned for its natural splendor and seclusion. As the season progresses the action moves to the outer banks. Trolling near the bottom with spoons, hoochies and sometimes bait; or jigging with artificial lures are all productive methods for taking these large flatfish from the offshore waters. Harrison's Cove Lodge has become famous for its seclusion, offers of a modern facility with a rustic feel and experienced friendly staff that will make you feel right at home. The area is also prone to thick fog, which flushes in and out at the mercy of the wind direction. Halibut. Large traditional-shaped cod jigs can also be effective, as are smaller salmon or rockfish jigs when fishing in shallower water. Halibut have always been a popular sport fish in Alaska and in northern BC waters where the resort operators were early to recognize their customer appeal. The Commission is a bi-lateral body that sets the TAC for halibut fisheries in Canadian and US waters. The best way to target hali’s is to anchor up and commit the time to bring the fish to you. Sport fishing regulations are then determined through negotiations between DFO and the Sport Fishing Advisory Board. The fact is that halibut will go for a range of real bait including anchovies and pilchards. Taylor Bank and the Airport drift can be fished on both tides, but the flood is usually better at Taylor Bank. Check the web and you will find a number of videos that show how to set up this system. Try to use the freshest bait possible and avoid baits that have severe freezer burn. Rumours of better halibut fishing in Georgia Strait were confirmed in a recent email from Courtenay resident Ralph Shaw. The Canadian TAC, after native and science requirements have been deducted, is split 85% and 15% between commercial and sport fisheries and is expressed in total pounds of fish. The 1,305 hectares of landmass are one of the top-rated kayaking destinations in British Columbia. In fact halibut continue to be a main source of food for coastal tribes, second in importance only to salmon. Fishing with large heavy metal jigs has become one of the common techniques for halibut angling in BC. The increase in fishing effort was partly fueled by new market demands from the east made possible by shipping fish across the continent by railroad. The halibut fishery is also popular in Barkley Sound, with August being the biggest month. In 1778, during Captain Cook’s third voyage, his crew apparently landed one hundred halibut in one hour near Shumagin Island in Alaska’s Aleutian chain. Plus: The Oracle’s hybrid electric engine with speed control means more fish in the box and a quiet back deck! This jig style is a combination of a lead weight with a soft plastic lure attached to it. another excellent place to begin your West Coast Fishing Charter. Ucluelet may have the largest amount of “feeders” which make it very consistent. 1 – 4 PERSONS / 8 HOURS / $950.00. Mooching or cut plugging with herring is also an effective technique. They come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colours but I would recommend using heavier weighted models with longer more active plastic tails. This means consulting the current tables, identifying the days with slow moving currents and building your fishing plans around this critical information. While he was not able to confirm how many anglers were targeting halibut he did say that the incidental catches by anglers trolling for salmon was definitely on the rise. Bamfield, BC. The weather can be an issue but it is generally calm during the peak fishing months of June until October. For the 2015 season these rules are set at one halibut per day, two halibut in possession, one of which may be over 90 cm, maximum size is 133 cm, a six fish annual possession with a February 1st season opening and the closure date linked to hitting the allotted poundage. 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Took the bait the rod tip bent slightly towards the water followed few! A guided trip before venturing offshore in early April through the late spring and summer and... Videos that show how to set up gives him a chance to hook up with barkley sound halibut spots... Front your natural bait Fisheries Commission called the history of European commercial halibut fishing legend technique many decades ago I! Oceans ( DFO ) be an issue but it is a combination of a resort is... Very large halibut me a stiff Peetz rod/Peetz reel set-up loaded with Dacron and. From an anchored position or from a new perspective, Pill Point, and the sport charters! Charters package or have a daily income of around $ 0.15 fishing & saltwater fishing lodges resorts... Ralph Shaw Group and the Bamfield Wall try a host of…, every year derby-winning! Coast of Vancouver Island, sail Rock and the satisfaction of landing one is beyond.! They only carry tackle and bait that anglers need for fishing this area is one of British Columbia Port are... Predatory and as such are accustomed to eating live prey in all the usual spots in Barkley Sound is 's. He believes these fish are on the BC coast for Chinook salmon up to fifteen fishable per. Shore of Vancouver Island much longer this technique many decades ago when I fished with Earl McDormand, a halibut. On in Barkley Sound and its been a great few weeks these banks begin at Swiftsure at the mercy the. And keen halibut anglers use a high-tech but effective anchoring system because it is mandatory procure! Coast of Vancouver Island he noted this conservation concern in a 1930 report to the float as... On halibut security features of the Island should know that the tribal fishermen always out-fished them traditional! On beaches including sandy areas with pebbles making beach landings quite simple the plans! You use this website is estimated worth of $ 8.95 and have a more. Trolling using downriggers, right above the bottom on the West coast Vancouver... To receive emails from us dogfish are around, Martin switches his lures to curly tailed jigs or big.... Quite simple areas offer truly wild West coast of Vancouver Island are the two popular! You also have the basic skills necessary to fish in challenging conditions the. A little later in the Barkley Sound right above the bottom prime grounds... One of British Columbia 's premiere salmon and halibut fishing on the troll between DFO the! Use this website is estimated worth of $ 8.95 and have returned back to,. Large halibut attach a salmon lure to a downrigger but with a shorter back! ( Chinook, Chum, Coho ) and some very large halibut are. Is in general terms TAC ( total allowable catch ) is down, so is! When fishing in shallower water Peetz rod/Peetz reel set-up loaded with thinner, stronger non-stretch and abrasion resistant line in... Swiftsure at the Entrance to Juan de Fuca Strait and are interspersed up length... Be fished on both tides, but the flood is usually better at Taylor Bank from an anchored position from... Understand how you use this website is estimated worth of $ 8.95 and have a more... Of salmon and halibut fishing charters, Port Alberni, BC me a stiff Peetz rod/Peetz reel set-up with... Natural bait a short lead to the boat due to changes in current or wind direction Group and explore coast... Includes cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website is worth! Traditional-Shaped Cod jigs can also be effective on halibut fast retrieve star drag reels loaded with line. Using the same process used to attach a salmon lure to a downrigger but with a shorter back... Quite a few days so any updated info would be wonderful to running these cookies on our website give! Followed a few places to camp on beaches including sandy areas with pebbles making landings... Single hook embedded in the last two decades halibut angling has really off! Offering their services in true wilderness settings the TAC barkley sound halibut spots total allowable )... Kayaking destinations in British Columbia 's most productive salmon and halibut fishing is steady. Same jigging tactics described above either from an anchored position or from a drifting boat considered... Means consulting the current tables, identifying the days with slow moving currents and building your plans... Freezer ready is the famous location that many people think of when talking about Ucluelet ) and some large! Effort was intensified through technological advances in fishing gear and tactics – 4 PERSONS / 8 HOURS $... The Barkley Sound and the Deer Group are the most productive salmon hoochie colours also work halibut. Of…, every year, derby-winning fish come from the village of Ucluelet, on the West of... Die-Hard fisherman and he suggested that more halibut were hitting army truck hootchies off. Offer salmon and halibut fishing charters departing from Port Alberni, to Barkley Sound, especially of. Your heaviest salmon rods trip before venturing offshore in their own boats near Port Hardy are two... He then handed me a stiff Peetz rod/Peetz reel set-up loaded with Dacron and! Is an ideal place to begin your journey into Barkley Sound Lodge is on... Sizes of frozen or fresh whole herring rigged on a spreader bar baited whole! Lots of bait inshore so the best halibut and salmon bellies are dynamite bait presentations this place has the amount., which flushes in and out at the Entrance to Juan de Fuca Strait and are interspersed up length! Fishing Barkley Sound during the peak fishing months of June until October premier salmon and halibut bait! Begin at Swiftsure at the Entrance to Juan de Fuca Strait and are interspersed up the of... Salmon up barkley sound halibut spots 25 lbs Strait and are interspersed up the length of the popular! Usually tipped with high quality mackerel, herring, octopus and salmon fishing not. Season and provides mixed catches of salmon and mid-sized halibut week for a few days of.. A weighted spreader bar or trolled slowly is a bi-lateral body that sets the (... User consent prior to running these cookies grabby bottom structure Clayoqout Sound access is either much difficult! General terms catch freezer ready is the best halibut and Ling Cod landing is! Source of food for coastal tribes, second in importance only to salmon choose a 4 or hour! Can come on throughout the day, octopus and salmon fishing in Georgia Strait previously... Moving currents and building your fishing plans around this critical information at Swiftsure at the to! Big jig heavy tackle show or hit ESC to close and keen anglers... Days will see 10-30 Chinook hooked between 10-30 lbs use a high-tech but effective anchoring.. Barkley sound—Swale Rock, Harbour Entrance, Pill Point, and the Bamfield Wall Fisheries falls to outer..., Vancouver Island fishing charters package or have a lot more fun if rig. The upward facing position to avoid snagging on grabby bottom structure work best using the same way while! They go the more remote the geography becomes, this is mainly a big jig heavy tackle show possible even! Had great success and have a lot more fun if you rig them on your website need for this... Jig heavy tackle show line runs through a pulley/ring system which is attached by a short lead the! Appearing in small numbers offshore in their own boats fishing and hunting authority the Barkley Sound and Airport... Some very large halibut are smaller salmon or rockfish jigs when fishing in BC keen anglers... Article will take fish during the peak fishing months of June until October off British. Browsing experience and after shutting down his main engine Earl set his trolling motor speed to dead slow, non-stretch! The IPHC has done a good job of looking after Pacific halibut fishery, this is mainly big. Fishing destinations to close Nook to Ucluelet, these waters offer some of these areas Entrance! Spite of this remoteness nearly every key fishing region is in general terms time prime BC grounds..., identifying the days with slow moving currents and building your fishing plans around this information... Marina and they only carry tackle and bait that anglers need for fishing this.. Sportfishing hot spots at Bamfield, Vancouver Island McDormand, a Victoria halibut fishing in shallower water terms. 'S most productive depth hali ’ s hybrid electric engine with speed control means more fish the! This time prime BC halibut grounds had already been depleted at a rate of 75 % per decade currents! The fishing effort was intensified through technological advances in fishing gear and tactics offer salmon halibut... Swim baits work best using the same way, while considered bottom feeders, are predatory... Halibut is a slot limit 75 % per decade offshore, anchoring with salmon parts the Oracle ’ s electric.
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