Tofino / Ucluelet Fishing Report:
May, 2007
Salmon and Halibut combo trips start to really heat up
May 24th, 2007
With the last month of Saltwater fishing in the Tofino and Ucluelet B.C. areas not really up to normally good standards, the last few days on the water
have finally given us reason to talk it up.
Chinook Salmon have been feeding almost exclusively on offshore masses of krill suspended mid to top water in the areas that average 150 ft deep. Along
with a series of tides that made for some tough fishing last week, it was pretty hard to mimic this tiny food source that has been the focus of most local
and transient stocks of Chinook Salmon. Sporadic action was had between tides on Anchovies some hoochies and small spoons, and Halibut were also fussy,
with most being enticed by Salmon bellies or Herring fished on a spreader bar.
The last two days have been pretty favorable tides, and great offshore conditions to fish a combo trip for Chinook Salmon and Halibut. Most Chinook Salmon
caught have been in the 16-26 lb range, preferring needlefish hoochies with some pink and green trolled behind a flasher at 110-120 feet deep. Some spoons
have been working, but with all fish having empty bellies aside from a few krill, we are better off to stay focused on rubber baits until the Salmon shift
back to Needlefish and Sardines.
This goes true for Halibut as well. After the large tides, most Pacific Halibut that have been settled in the Gravel for the last week have empty bellies
as well. Sardines, Herring and Needlefish normally make a good portion of their diet, and are usually good baits to consider. The last couple days the
bite is on again for our local Pacific Halibut, with Salmon bellies by far the best. The new Gulp Squid from Berkely has been fishing well, which it should
considering the price....
Highlights from today include a 28 lb Chrome Chinook Salmon caught on a needlefish Hoochie and a 54 lb. Halibut caught on Salmon belly, by the same angler,
within the same hour. The group enjoyed a great day with limits of both species for their efforts. Clayoquot Ventures Guides Blake and Derek seemed to
be top vessels for the Tofino area again today.
|
Clayoquot Ventures