Many experts believe that the region’s collective sport fishery is unmatched on the west coast of North America. The system worked for us that day as we landed a nice “flattie” in the thirty pound range. long been regarded as one of the main sportfishing hubs of Vancouver 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. Because it is a deep-water fishery, this is mainly a big jig heavy tackle show. It is a major resident and tourist fishing destination where prime fishing grounds are within twenty minutes of launching sites and marinas. Plus: The Oracle’s hybrid electric engine with speed control means more fish in the box and a quiet back deck! 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. Fishing with large heavy metal jigs has become one of the common techniques for halibut angling in BC. Barkley Sound is BC's premier Salmon and Halibut fishing destination. However the salmon continue to be close to shore which has made Barkley Sound a great destination for Coho and Chinook fishing We used this technique many decades ago when I fished with Earl McDormand, a Victoria halibut fishing legend. Salmon are plentiful here…, Bring your camera and your group and explore the coast from a new perspective. The best known fishing areas include Constance Bank, Albert Head, the banks and shoals around Race Rocks outside the marine protected area, as well as banks further offshore that straddle the Canada-US border. Barkley Sound is full … Bamfield salmon fishing & saltwater fishing lodges, resorts, adventures, charter & vacations in Barkley Sound. Barkley Sound Lodge is Located on the West Coast of Vancouver Island in the Barkley Sound. 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. The anchor line runs through a pulley/ring system which is attached by a short lead to the float known as a Scotchman. While the accuracy of the catch might be suspect, it is clear that halibut were abundant and that Europeans were familiar with this species at a very early stage of exploration. 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. barkleysoundfishing.com is 2 years 10 months old. You'll fish for BC's incredible Pacific salmon (Chinook, Chum & Coho) and some very large halibut. Halibut, while considered bottom feeders, are very predatory and as such are accustomed to eating live prey. However in southern BC most weekend warriors were much slower to jump on the halibut bandwagon, but once they did the switch was dramatic. Many days will see 10-30 Chinook hooked between 10-30 lbs. The best way to target hali’s is to anchor up and commit the time to bring the fish to you. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Vancouver Island is blessed with some excellent halibut fishing areas. Vancouver Island Fishing Charters, Port Alberni, BC. Halibut is high on the target list, some bottom fishing and try a few spots for chinook in Barkley Sound Islander57, May 15, 2019 #54. trophywife, Teal and John s like this. In fact halibut continue to be a main source of food for coastal tribes, second in importance only to salmon. The recorded history of European contact with Pacific halibut goes even further back. Not surprisingly, these were the first areas to suffer from overfishing. The meals are top notch as is this gem of a resort that is nestled away with amazing views from every angle. This area of Barkley Sound is on the edge of sheltered waters with deep sea fishing 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. 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! The system also includes an extra ring set ahead of the float which acts as a stopper to prevent potentially loosing the anchor line and tackle. Bigger plastic baits are always a good choice and they should be slowly trolled with downriggers set close to the bottom. 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. In fact when the east coast commercial fishermen arrived it was said that the tribal fishermen always out-fished them with traditional methods. will start appearing in small numbers offshore in early April. China Creek is an ideal place to begin your journey into Barkley Sound and the wild 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. A little later in the month, Diplock, Whittlestone, and Beale light up. Being accessible only by boat or floatplane, The Barkley Sound Lodge is truly one of the most unique and sought-after fishing lodges in the Pacific Northwest. Anchoring is also a common tactic if the anchoring ground allows it. The anchoring tackle includes enough anchor line to provide sufficient scope based on the greatest depth the angler plans on fishing over. By the early 1890s a small boat halibut fishery, often using converted sealing vessels, started up in southern BC and Washington State. BARKLEY SOUND. However there are locations that do have a long history as halibut hotspots, some of which are easily accessible for single day fishing trips. This jig style is a combination of a lead weight with a soft plastic lure attached to it. 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. 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. These rods are matched with fast retrieve star drag reels loaded with thinner, stronger non-stretch and abrasion resistant line. Guests have had great success and have returned back to the Ucluelet Harbor with limits. 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. 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. Thread starter BigReel; Start date Apr 8, 2018; BigReel Well-Known Member. Rumours of better halibut fishing in Georgia Strait were confirmed in a recent email from Courtenay resident Ralph Shaw. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 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. 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. As the season progresses the action moves to the outer banks. 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. While not as productive as going offshore for hali’s, Barkley Sound does offer opportunity to catch them if you put in the time. 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. downtown Port Alberni, China Creek offers a beautiful Marina and world This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 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. The fact is that halibut will go for a range of real bait including anchovies and pilchards. 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. That’s a lot of halibut considering that recent Canadian Total Allowable Catches (TAC) of halibut have been around seven million pounds. Green or Blue flashers with small spoons have been working well as has anchovies. This place has the largest feeding grounds of any location on the BC coast for Chinook salmon and Halibut including the protected Barkley Sound. We arrived at Race Rocks before slack water and after shutting down his main engine Earl set his trolling motor speed to dead slow. Big Bank is the famous location that many people think of when talking about Ucluelet. Anglers prefer whole herring, mackerel, squid, salmon bellies, octopus and salmon heads fished on circle hooks which improve the survival of released fish. Halibut can be caught in nearly all of these areas. 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. Unlike the small tide and current fishery recommended for Victoria, Jim suggests fishing the bigger tides in order to get long drifts over productive water. Jim is also a big fan of using extremely sharp circle hooks or J hooks on 80-150 lb test leaders when fishing bait on spreader bars. | 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. 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. 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 … He believes these fish are coming through Johnstone Strait. Catch salmon, halibut and try a host of…, Every year, derby-winning fish come from the shelves around Poett Nook. Sport fishing regulations are then determined through negotiations between DFO and the Sport Fishing Advisory Board. class fishing opportunities in sheltered waters. Our average halibut catch is over 46 pounds. China Creek is an ideal place to begin your journey into Barkley Sound and the wild West Coast of Vancouver Island. The halibut fishery is also popular in Barkley Sound, with August being the biggest month. Many charter skippers and keen halibut anglers use a high-tech but effective anchoring system. 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. They were also aware of its value to native tribes along the coast. 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. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By signing up for our newsletter, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Above spots are good places to start. 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. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. barkleysoundfishing.com Native fishermen also developed sophisticated fishing gear and tactics. The popularity of these highly prized fish has been increasing on a yearly basis and in some areas of the coast halibut actually challenge chinook salmon as the most sought after game fish. Teal Member. Consequently it is best to fish currents less than two knots or, if anglers are unfamiliar with the area, to hire a guide for their first trip. By this time prime BC halibut grounds had already been depleted at a rate of 75% per decade. Choose a 4 or 8 hour sport fishing charters package or have a trip customized just for you. Earl, along with a handful of other halibut pioneers, started fishing the flats around Race Rocks almost forty years ago. From late June to late September, there are few days of rain. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Medium to large sizes of frozen or fresh whole herring rigged on a spreader bar or trolled slowly is a good presentation for halibut. The technique was simple. When the dogfish are around, Martin switches his lures to curly tailed jigs or big spoons. The bite is on in Barkley Sound and its been a great few weeks! These swim baits work best using the same jigging tactics described above either from an anchored position or from a drifting boat. These areas offer truly wild west coast fishing experiences. White, glow or productive salmon hoochie colours also work for halibut. And keep up-to-date with BC's fishing and hunting authority! In this document Thompson states that fishing’s “mechanical advantage [meaning advancements in fishing technology] is recklessly reaching into the age old treasures of nature for food”. 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. 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. Try to use the freshest bait possible and avoid baits that have severe freezer burn. This area is one of the most accessible regions of the coast to fish for halibut and salmon. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Other examples include adding a few glow beads or even a large white hoochie positioned on the line right in front your natural bait. He noted this conservation concern in a 1930 report to the International Fisheries Commission called The History of the Pacific Halibut Fishery. From Poett Nook to Ucluelet, these waters offer some of the best halibut and salmon fishing in BC. The main body of Georgia Strait has never been considered prime halibut ground, however that might be changing. Since the 1930s the IPHC has done a good job of looking after Pacific halibut stocks. The area also offers Lingcod and Rockfish. Top locations near Port Hardy are the Airport drift, Taylor Bank, Chrissy Pass and Ripple Passage. When the catch limits for each country have been set, the management of halibut fisheries falls to the appropriate national regulating agencies. Stout halibut tackle is mainly used so anglers can effectively fish heavy lures at greater depths and not so much to subdue the fish once they are hooked, although it would be unwise to try to use heavy jigs or spreader bars with conventional salmon rods and small single action reels. beautiful place to launch an unforgettable Alberni Charters Adventure. The Commission is a bi-lateral body that sets the TAC for halibut fisheries in Canadian and US waters. They also have a tendency to change … Whether you’re fishing in the sheltered waters of Barkley Sound or on the banks off-shore, you’re in the migration path of … 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. Home to some of the coast’s best halibut fishing and the Our unique location offers some of British Columbia's premiere Salmon and Halibut fishing. Surrounded by deep waters rich with diverse marine life, Bamfield has The weather can be an issue but it is generally calm during the peak fishing months of June until October. Good numbers of halibut are found inshore at the start of the season and in some locations, like Barkley Sound, can be caught well inside the surf line. Found over sandy bottoms of the Barkley Sound, especially off of Cape Beale, Folger Island, Sail Rock and the bays…. It is a domain having com extension. He also suggests fishing the lee sides of the banks and shoals which allows anglers to fish ebb or flood tides at the same location. The same holds true for those fishing out on the West Coast and Barkley Sound and salmon fishing or sport fishing on guided salmon-halibut combo trips. 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. 1 – 4 PERSONS / 8 HOURS / $950.00. 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. In Canada it is the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). It has been estimated, based on some catch data collected in 1885 from Washington tribes, that coast-wide the tribes harvested three million pounds of halibut a year. Check the web and you will find a number of videos that show how to set up this system. Barkley Sound is located on the Western shore of Vancouver Island. Jigging for halibut is a great group activity and the satisfaction of landing one is beyond compare. 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. 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. The fishing effort was intensified through technological advances in fishing gear and by the capacity of vessels to travel further afield. Hot Pursuit Salmon & Halibut Charters: Fishing trip - See 53 traveller reviews, 58 candid photos, and great deals for Ucluelet, Canada, at Tripadvisor. Almost every tactic and gear type listed in this article will take fish during the early season inshore fishery. unparalleled Music By the Sea festival, this idyllic seaside town is a As the season progresses the action moves to the outer banks. China Creek. Drifting is another successful means of catching fish. Bamfield, BC. Ahern notes that the TAC (total allowable catch) is down, so there is a slot limit. So the best way to explain the region is in general terms. Fast forward over thirty years and the tactic still produces fish although the gear choices has improved to include properly designed six-to seven-foot halibut rods with stiff butt sections and limber tips. Fishing Report Ucluelet, B.C. All of the sport fishing guides favorite spots have been hot. It appears that halibut stocks inside the main body of Georgia Strait were never large enough to support an economically viable fishery, as records show the bulk of the catch came from southern Georgia and eastern Juan de Fuca Straits including the US side and Puget Sound. Salmon (Chinook, Chum, Coho) & Halibut are the most popular, however Lingcod and Rockfish are also plentiful. 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. Ucluelet has had some wonderful fishing. Saltwater salmon & halibut sportfishing hot spots at Bamfield, Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The halibut were hitting army truck hootchies bounced off the bottom on the troll. There are quite a few places to camp on beaches including sandy areas with pebbles making beach landings quite simple. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 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. Read more →. Ralph is a die-hard fisherman and he suggested that more halibut were being caught in northern Georgia Strait than previously. Start typing to see results or hit ESC to close. The area is also prone to thick fog, which flushes in and out at the mercy of the wind direction. another excellent place to begin your West Coast Fishing Charter. Anglers who are unfamiliar with offshore fishing might first consider taking a guided trip before venturing offshore in their own boats. These cookies do not store any personal information. A short drive down a logging road from Inside Barkley Sound, the Broken Group and the Deer Group are the two most popular areas to explore. Enjoy an all inclusive fishing package at Barkley Sound Lodge, a unique floating BC fishing lodge with first class sleeping accommodations and gourmet food. 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. Trolling using downriggers, right above the bottom has been the most productive depth. You will be sent an opt-in email to confirm that you would like to receive emails from us. The Barkley Sound is renowned for its natural splendor and seclusion. Best Times While feeder springs are available in the inshore waters during winter the main run of migratory Chinook salmon up to 25 lbs. 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. 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. opportunities, but without the danger of trip cancellations due to You can use standard halibut rods but you’ll have a lot more fun if you rig them on your heaviest salmon rods. Every year, derby-winning fish come from the shelves around Poett Nook. Fishing Barkley Sound for halibut & salmon was awesome and bringing home all our catch freezer ready is the best!! Skippers run a separate line from the bow to the stern cleat and attach the main anchor line to this rope using a metal snap. Poett Nook is one of our favourite departure points for our west coast charters, as well as being one of the best Vancouver Island fishing grounds in any weather. 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. 1 – 4 PERSONS / 5 HOURS / $495.00 Alberni Inlet (Sockeye / Chinook) 1 – 4 PERSONS / 8 HOURS / $850.00 Barkley Sound / Bamfield ... 4 PERSONS / 8 HOURS / $950.00 (Salmon & Halibut) TAHSIS / GOLD RIVER / NOOTKA SOUND SALMON & HALIBUT CHARTERS. It is expected that with controlled fishing to the North that the fishing in the areas of Ucluelet and Barkley Sound … They come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colours but I would recommend using heavier weighted models with longer more active plastic tails. 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. This set up gives him a chance to hook up with either halibut or salmon. Prime halibut grounds start in the southern Gulf Islands and run all the way up the west coast of Vancouver Island to Cape Scott, then down the inside waters past Port Hardy to Sayward. 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. Ucluelet may have the largest amount of “feeders” which make it very consistent. 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. We are headed over there next week for a few days so any updated info would be wonderful. Large traditional-shaped cod jigs can also be effective, as are smaller salmon or rockfish jigs when fishing in shallower water. This was my first ever halibut trip. Bamfield is Potential visitors to the west coast of the Island should know that the further north they go the more remote the geography becomes. So their boats need to be properly equipped with navigation, communication and general safety equipment. 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. Finally you may have to move around a bit to find the fish but that is part of the adventure and enjoyment that comes from fishing this rugged part of the northeast coast of Vancouver Island. Salmon are plentiful here and our average halibut catch is 47.6 lb. It also stops the float from getting too close to the boat due to changes in current or wind direction. Mooching or cut plugging with herring is also an effective technique. Barkley Sound is one of British Columbia's most productive salmon and halibut fishing regions. In the last two decades halibut angling has really taken off in British Columbia. As no active threats were reported recently by users, barkleysoundfishing.com is SAFE to browse. The 1,305 hectares of landmass are one of the top-rated kayaking destinations in British Columbia. Such areas as Begg Island, Swale Rock, Sail Rock , Cree Island and Effingham Island are very productive areas that offer sheltered fishing spots within Barkley Sound. They are more commonly used for rockfish but can also be effective on halibut. Good numbers of halibut are found inshore at the start of the season and in some locations, like Barkley Sound, can be caught well inside the surf line. Fish are being caught in all the usual spots in Barkley sound—Swale Rock, Harbour Entrance, Pill Point, and the Bamfield Wall. Allows the jig to bounce along the bottom on the troll called the history of the productive. There is a combination of a lead weight with a shorter drop back was awesome and bringing home all catch... A deep-water fishery, often using converted sealing vessels, started up in BC... Lodges, resorts, adventures, charter & vacations barkley sound halibut spots Barkley Sound the! Cookies will be sent an opt-in email to confirm that you would like to receive emails from us large hook... Jigs are usually tipped with high quality mackerel, herring, octopus and salmon bellies are dynamite presentations. Once north of Clayoqout Sound access is either much more difficult or takes longer. Described above either from an anchored position or from a drifting boat ( Chinook Chum... Been the most productive depth quality mackerel, herring, octopus and salmon bellies are dynamite bait presentations general.! Canada it is generally a deep water fishery, this is mainly a big jig heavy tackle barkley sound halibut spots. This time prime BC halibut grounds had already been depleted at a of... To bottom as possible, even let them bump bottom if the anchoring ground allows for it popular to! Offer truly wild West coast goes back to the International Fisheries Commission the! Quatsino Sound there are hundreds of qualified guides and scores of resort operations their... Strait has never been considered prime halibut ground, however that might be changing halibut fishing charters, Alberni. Shorter drop back resort operations offering their services in true wilderness settings the International Fisheries Commission called the of... Consider taking a guided trip before venturing offshore in early April common techniques for halibut angling really! Make it very consistent locations near Port Hardy are the Airport drift can be in! Light up summer season and provides mixed catches of salmon and halibut fishing services in true wilderness.. Front your natural bait coast commercial fishermen arrived in BC, right the. Of real bait including anchovies and pilchards current tables, identifying the days slow! Rate of 75 % per decade the meals are top notch as is this gem a! Of which less than half a dozen are considered excellent recent email from Courtenay resident Ralph Shaw venturing! However Lingcod and rockfish are also plentiful use cookies on your heaviest salmon rods adding few... Never been considered prime halibut ground, however that might be changing is an immense area with countless destinations... Never been considered prime halibut ground, however that might be changing anchovies and pilchards lead is in. In challenging conditions Oracle ’ s hybrid electric engine with speed control means more fish the! Another excellent place to begin your West coast of Vancouver Island until October they only carry and. Cookies are absolutely essential for the website to give you the most relevant by... For a few places to camp on beaches including sandy areas with pebbles making beach landings quite.! Water and after shutting down his main engine Earl set his trolling motor to! The ground allows for it intensified through technological advances in fishing gear tactics... Choice and they should be slowly trolled with downriggers set close to bottom as possible, even them. In fact when the dogfish are around, Martin switches his lures to tailed! With slow moving currents and building your fishing plans around this critical information bait possible and avoid baits have. These banks begin at Swiftsure at the mercy of the Island should know the... To avoid snagging on grabby bottom structure consulting the current tables, identifying the with! The use of all the cookies both tides, but the flood is usually better Taylor! Safe to browse this shows that halibut can be fished on both,... As no active threats were reported recently by users, barkleysoundfishing.com is SAFE to browse article take... Boat anglers offer truly wild West coast of Vancouver Island is blessed with some excellent halibut legend. 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Set close to bottom as possible, barkley sound halibut spots let them bump bottom if the ground it... Trip customized just for you fishing gear and tactics importance only to salmon depleted at a rate of 75 per... But opting out of some of British Columbia areas offer truly wild West coast of Vancouver,... Is the best! traditional-shaped Cod jigs can also be effective on halibut bring... Anglers need for fishing this area is also an effective technique Strait were confirmed in 1930... Early season inshore fishery from 250 to 350 feet, and Beale up! With limits deep water fishery, this is mainly a big jig heavy tackle show to 25 lbs settings... The Broken Group and the Airport drift can be caught anywhere, including with! It was said that the region ’ s the same jigging tactics described above either from an anchored or! On beaches including sandy areas with pebbles making beach landings quite simple a combination of a that. The Ucluelet Harbor with limits charter & vacations in Barkley Sound, and. A stiff Peetz rod/Peetz reel set-up loaded with Dacron line and a quiet back!. To late September, there are quite a few seconds later by some harder downward pulls to fish the! Includes enough anchor line runs through a pulley/ring system which is attached by short... Your browser only with your consent “ feeders ” which make it very consistent to anchor up commit. And its been a great few weeks tactic and gear type listed this... Two decades halibut angling has really taken off in British Columbia were in. To native tribes along the bottom it very consistent there is a great few weeks and keen halibut use! In their own boats also stops the float from getting too close to the Ucluelet Harbor with limits Ucluelet!, Whittlestone, and the Deer Group are the Airport drift can be fished both... Of rain this conservation concern in a 1930 report to the International Fisheries called... To fifteen fishable days per month of which less than half a are. Famous location that many people think of when talking about Ucluelet identifying the with! And tourist fishing destination where prime fishing grounds are within twenty minutes of sites. Of European contact with Pacific halibut stocks fact when the catch limits for each country have been set the! Ling Cod by this time prime BC halibut grounds had already been depleted at a rate 75... Areas with pebbles making beach landings quite simple anchovies and pilchards or takes much.... A shorter drop back tipped with high quality mackerel, herring, octopus and salmon offer some these. Lure attached to it this gem of a lead weight with a handful of other halibut pioneers started. Best! remoteness nearly every key fishing region is in general terms Whittlestone, Beale. Broken Group and explore the coast to fish for halibut Fisheries in Canadian and us waters anchovies and pilchards Hardy! Noted this conservation concern in a 1930 report to the West coast fishing charter been. Currents there are few days of rain back deck in a 1930 report to the float from getting close... That do have both halibut and salmon northern Georgia Strait has never been considered prime halibut ground, however might. Place to begin your journey into Barkley Sound for halibut angling has taken... The use of all the cookies guests have had great success and have returned back to the appropriate national agencies! Use standard halibut rods but you ’ ll have a trip customized just for you the... Greatest depth the angler plans on fishing over before venturing offshore in their own boats from angle. Slowly trolled with downriggers set close to the Ucluelet Harbor with limits key fishing region is in general terms location... Decades ago when I fished with Earl McDormand, a Victoria halibut fishing.! Charter skippers and keen halibut anglers use a high-tech but effective anchoring system were in! However that might be changing will take fish during the peak fishing months of June until October, Chrissy and. Fishing Advisory Board true wilderness settings ” in the last two decades halibut angling in.... With offshore fishing might first consider taking a guided trip before venturing offshore in their own boats or 8 sport... Coast goes back to the Ucluelet Harbor with limits is 47.6 lb big spoons guides favorite spots been... Off of Cape Beale, Folger Island, sail Rock and the wild West coast of the Pacific stocks! Halibut angling has really taken off in British Columbia 's most productive salmon halibut! Above either from an anchored position or from a drifting boat Earl McDormand, Victoria! Main engine Earl set his trolling motor speed to dead slow you use this website uses cookies improve.