GA WestCoast Charters – Parksville 

4.8
(22 reviews)
 French Creek Marina, Nanaimo G, BC V9P 2E1, Canada–

GA WestCoast Charters – Parksville 

Nanaimo G, BC, Canada
–
21 ft
3
4.8
(22 reviews)

Looking for an amazing time and adventure? Along with an action packed charter ?That's what GA WestCoast Charters is here for! Captain Gerald will be your guide, giving you access to years of local experience.

Depending on the season, you might hook into Halibut, Lingcod, Salmon, Crab, and who knows what else! During the trip you might be trolling, jigging, bottom fishing, or maybe something more specialized in this area.

If you're traveling with the family, you will be glad to know that kids are welcome aboard! Be sure to ask if child-sized life vests are available, otherwise you should bring your own. And, you can't go wrong with snacks to keep up those energy levels!

Capt. Gerald runs a 21' Bayliner walkaround with capacity for 3 passengers. It has downriggers, all the essentials no fishing machine can run without. There's a toilet on board for your convenience. Your captain will provide rods and reels, along with lures.

Before coming aboard, you will be required to buy a local fishing license for everyone in your group. This information is usually available online, or you can ask the captain. Some species might be protected or require a tag to keep them, so make sure you know what to expect.

It's never a bad idea to bring sunscreen (non-spray), bottled water, and sunglasses. Alcohol is allowed in moderation, so long as you avoid hard liquor as well as glass bottles.

For more information about fishing with GA WestCoast Charters, feel free to send Capt. Gerald a message down below.

Looking for an amazing time and adventure? Along with an action packed charter ?That's what GA WestCoast Charters is here for! Captain Gerald will be your guide, giving you access to years of local experience.

Depending on the season, you might hook into Halibut, Lingcod, Salmon, Crab, and who knows what else! During the trip you might be trolling, jigging, bottom fishing, or maybe something more specialized in this area.

If you're traveling with the family, you will be glad to know that kids are welcome aboard! Be sure to ask if child-sized life vests are available, otherwise you should bring your own. And, you can't go wrong with snacks to keep up those energy levels!

Capt. Gerald runs a 21' Bayliner walkaround with capacity for 3 passengers. It has downriggers, all the essentials no fishing machine can run without. There's a toilet on board for your convenience. Your captain will provide rods and reels, along with lures.

Before coming aboard, you will be required to buy a local fishing license for everyone in your group. This information is usually available online, or you can ask the captain. Some species might be protected or require a tag to keep them, so make sure you know what to expect.

It's never a bad idea to bring sunscreen (non-spray), bottled water, and sunglasses. Alcohol is allowed in moderation, so long as you avoid hard liquor as well as glass bottles.

For more information about fishing with GA WestCoast Charters, feel free to send Capt. Gerald a message down below.

Gerald Arkell
Captain
Gerald Arkell
26 years of experience
ID & credentials verified
responds within an hour

Select date to see availability

Trip date:
Group Size:
November 2026
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
Change
French creek, BC (5 hour) am
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
5 hour trip starts at 6:00 AM
Lingcod
Crab
Salmon (Chinook)
Salmon (Coho)
US $421
Entire boat: up to 3 people
5 hrs French creek, pm
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
5 hour trip starts at 3:00 PM
Lingcod
Crab
Salmon (Chinook)
Salmon (Coho)
US $421
Entire boat: up to 3 people

Customer reviews

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Rating

4.8
22 reviews
4.6
Boat & equipment
5.0
Captain & crew
4.8
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (22)

Reviews (22)

  • Michael Gras
    Michael Gras
    Repeat angler
    ca
    Alberta, Canada
    Member since 2026
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    unreal guide and captain

    Full Day Trip French creek on June 8, 2026 • 3 adults

    Had a 10/10 experience with Gerald. Professional, quick, action packed and skilled. Nothing but a great time. Highly recommended...

  • Camilla D'errico
    Camilla D'errico
    Repeat angler
    ca
    British Columbia, Canada
    Member since 2024
    5 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    What a day!

    Half day (PM) French creek on September 13, 2024 • 3 adults

    We had to reschedule our initial day due to bad weather, dang storms!, but Gerald was very accommodating and we went out a couple of days later. Winds were strong but the captain made sure that we were always fishing with the winds and not against them. We caught absolutely gorgeous coho and a huge spring and a sea bass! When the fishing slowed down, the captain changed gear, reeled up and every time we’d have a fish on! Gerald is very kind and communicative. He is calm and an expert at what he does. We had a wonderful time and I can’t wait to book again next year!

  • Peter Robinson
    Peter Robinson
    gb
    United Kingdom
    Member since 2025
    4.7
    Verified

    The Canada cup.

    Half day (PM) French creek on May 22, 2025 • 2 adults

    We spent 3.5 hours fishing with the very knowledgeable Captain Gérard. As we boarded he made it clear we should be ready to catch fish! This was no boast, we had 20 coho salmon in 3 hrs fishing, almost non stop action with only 2 people fishing. In addition the Captain is good company and creates a relaxed atmosphere on his boat. I will book this trip again as soon as I return to Nanaimo despite losing this round of the Canada cup. Thank you captain:)

  • Miles Felker
    Miles Felker
    Repeat angler
    us
    Pennsylvania, US
    Member since 2024
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Action Packed Day

    Half day (AM) French creek on September 10, 2024 • 1 adult

    Gerald is a phenomenal captain with a ton of knowledge about the area and how to fish it. He was able to navigate through some choppy conditions making it seem like the water was calm while trolling and we ended up having a fish on most of the day! Anyone looking to get a quality trip out of the area will have a great time with Captain Gerald!

  • Linda Crawford
    Linda Crawford
    ca
    British Columbia, Canada
    Member since 2025
    5.0
    Verified

    Best Ever Captain!

    Half day (PM) French creek on August 20, 2025 • 3 adults

    Captain Gerald was so good with my two little grandchildren and daughter in law! It was a very special experience for them. Thank you Captain!!!

  • Glenn Edmonds
    Glenn Edmonds
    ca
    Manitoba, Canada
    Member since 2024
    5.0
    Verified

    Great evening on the water

    Half day (PM) French creek on September 27, 2024 • 2 adults

    Gerald is well versed on fishing salmon off the coast, it wasn’t even 5 minutes before we hooked into our first fish and had a steady bite threw out the evening. All well having great conversation in between the catches. Would recommend him to anyone of any skill level.

  • Sandra Myhre
    Sandra Myhre
    ca
    Alberta, Canada
    Member since 2024
    5.0
    Verified

    A fantastic morning fishing at French Creek!

    Half day (AM) French creek on July 5, 2024 • 2 adults

    Gerald is the best of the best. My daughter and I caught our limit of fish and it was the highlight of our vacation. Our guide was knowledgeable, patient and kind. We are looking forward to our next trip to Vancouver Island and another charter with him. Thank you Gerald!

  • Greg Bobicki
    Greg Bobicki
    Repeat angler
    ca
    British Columbia, Canada
    Member since 2025
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Great Charter!

    Half day (AM) French creek on June 20, 2025 • 2 adults

    We had a great time with Gerald! A very knowlegeable and professional guide and just a great guy!

  • Brett Gass
    Brett Gass
    Repeat angler
    ca
    Saskatchewan, Canada
    Member since 2025
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Capitan knows how to catch fish!

    Half day (AM) French creek on August 20, 2025 • 2 adults

    Great trip. Caught our limit and had a blast!

  • Lee Mcdermott
    Lee Mcdermott
    ca
    British Columbia, Canada
    Member since 2024
    5.0
    Verified

    Good times, lots of fish caught with cool guide.

    Half day (AM) French creek on August 1, 2024 • 2 adults

    We had a great day, caught lots of fish. Guide was professional and fun. Would recommend to anyone looking for a successful day fishing. Can’t put a price on local knowledge!

FAQs about GA WestCoast Charters – Parksville

GA WestCoast Charters – Parksville offers the following trips to customers:
  • CA $600 per group - 5 hrs French creek, pm (5 hours)
  • CA $600 per group - French creek, BC (5 hour) am (5 hours)
When you book a trip with GA WestCoast Charters – Parksville, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet Portapotty
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Bed
  • Wireless trolling motor
  • Ice box
  • Radar
Trips booked with GA WestCoast Charters – Parksville include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting (All processing of your catch is included in the cost. Im legally just not allowed to package. I do half to follow fishries and oceans transportation rules and regulations )
GA WestCoast Charters – Parksville offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore fishing
  • Offshore fishing (1-2 miles)
GA WestCoast Charters – Parksville offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Bottom fishing
  • Trolling
  • Jigging
Top targeted fish species with GA WestCoast Charters – Parksville include:
  • Crab
  • Lingcod
  • Salmon (Chinook)
  • Salmon (Coho)

Your captain

Gerald Arkell
Gerald Arkell
Nanaimo G, British Columbia, Canada
29 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
29 Customer reviews
Typical response within an hour
Member since June 2024
I started fishing with my dad when I was able to fit in his backpack basically I stand out among 90% of the other anglers My goal is productivity. Fish fish more fish I have a huge love for the water and am constantly reading charts. Paying attention to what is going on around me on the water. If the bites not happening time to make it happen i decided to make a dream a reality a few years back to be a owner operator. since then ive done nothing but excel. Honestly i do this because i love it im here to show, and give the best experience to all my clients that they deserve and more im known for my dedication and abilities to non stop get fish on the line even while others aren't doing as well. i fish hard while allways creating a very chill environment whether we are fishing salmon or bottom fish. you wont be disappointed i provide over 30 years of experience fishing in both Bamfield,bc and French creek/parksville, bc. born and raised on Vancouver Island thank you for showing interest in me hope to meet you soon and show you the Gerald experience
Gerald Arkell
Gerald Arkell
Fully verified
29
reports
29
reviews
2024
member since
~1h
response
I started fishing with my dad when I was able to fit in his backpack basically I stand out among 90% of the other anglers My goal is productivity. Fish fish more fish I have a huge love for the water and am constantly reading charts. Paying attention to what is going on around me on the water. If the bites not happening time to make it happen i decided to make a dream a reality a few years back to be a owner operator. since then ive done nothing but excel. Honestly i do this because i love it im here to show, and give the best experience to all my clients that they deserve and more im known for my dedication and abilities to non stop get fish on the line even while others aren't doing as well. i fish hard while allways creating a very chill environment whether we are fishing salmon or bottom fish. you wont be disappointed i provide over 30 years of experience fishing in both Bamfield,bc and French creek/parksville, bc. born and raised on Vancouver Island thank you for showing interest in me hope to meet you soon and show you the Gerald experience

The fish you can target

Crab
Crab
Lingcod
Lingcod
Chinook Salmon
Chinook Salmon
Coho Salmon
Coho Salmon
Crab
Crab
Lingcod
Lingcod
Chinook Salmon
Chinook Salmon
Coho Salmon
Coho Salmon

Real catches by this captain

  • Angler proudly displaying a large Salmon while fishing on a boat in open waters.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Chinook Salmon
    Had the pleasure of taking out 3 awesome guys yesterday the coho salmon fishing was insane non stop hook ups along with a lot of beautiful Chinook salmon that we released
  • Angler proudly displaying a freshly caught Salmon while fishing on a boat in open waters.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Chinook Salmon
    Michael G.
    Michael G.
    Had a 10/10 experience with Gerald. Professional, quick, action packed and skilled. Nothing but a great time. Highly recommended...
  • Two young anglers proudly displaying a large Lingcod alongside a catch of shrimp at a fishing spot.
    Every year i donate a charter to help give the opportunities for kids. And this year was amazing as well. Another monster ling along with several pounds of tasty bc spot prawns
  • Angler proudly displaying a vibrant Red Snapper while fishing offshore, showcasing the excitement of a successful catch.
    Fish 1
    Red Snapper
    Another amazing morning watching the sun rise as we cross over to my lingcod spots Released several really good ones kept a perfect eating size. The prawning was amazing 3 limits and returned that again
  • Two young girls in life jackets enjoying a scenic boat ride, with a beautiful lake and mountains in the background.
    Linda C.
    Linda C.
    Captain Gerald was so good with my two little grandchildren and daughter in law! It was a very special experience for them. Thank you Captain!!!
  • An angler proudly displaying a large Chinook Salmon while fishing on a boat in open waters.
    Fish 1
    Chinook Salmon
    Brett G.
    Brett G.
    Great trip. Caught our limit and had a blast!
  • Two anglers proudly displaying a catch of multiple salmon on a cleaning table at a marina, showcasing a successful fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Chinook Salmon
    Over the past few weeks the salmon fishing has been nothing but endless action Non stop limits are being filled for all my amazing clients
  • Two anglers proudly posing with their catch of several Salmon displayed on a board at the marina.
    Fish 1
    Coho Salmon
    Took this couple out the other day they had a blast. Tons of fish
  • A family poses with their catch of several Salmon displayed on a board at the marina, showcasing a successful fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Coho Salmon
    There are so many coho its crazy. When the bite turns on its non stop action. Lots of really nice Chinook salmon to be caught as well Dont miss out on the amazing fishery I promise you an unforgettable day on the water
  • Two anglers proudly displaying a large Chinook Salmon while fishing on a boat in a scenic coastal environment.
    Fish 1
    Chinook Salmon
    Greg B.
    Greg B.
    We had a great time with Gerald! A very knowlegeable and professional guide and just a great guy!

What is the boat like?

Boat image
Boat category
Cabin cruisers
Capacity
3 persons
Boat length
21 ft
Year built
1996
Restored in
2026
Boat manufacturer
Bayliner
Boat type
Walkaround
Engine model
Suzuki
Powered by
1 x 150HP
Max cruising speed
30 knots

What kind of fishing will you do?

Inshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Jigging

Which amenities are available onboard

Toilet
Portapotty
GPS
Fishfinder
Bed
Wireless trolling motor
Ice box
Radar
What's included in the trip price
Rods, reels & tackle
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
All processing of your catch is included in the cost. Im legally just not allowed to package. I do half to follow fishries and oceans transportation rules and regulations

How cancellations work

Free cancellation up to 3 days prior to trip
You can cancel or modify your booking up to 3 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.
More details

What the listing policies are

Pickup agreed upon reservation
Transfer to/from departure site may be available and included in price depending on your location and distance from the dock.
Child friendly
Hi everyone kids is welcome. I only ask if under the ages of 14 can you please provide the life jacket
You keep catch
Catch and release allowed

How you can pay

Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain
When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% deposit to guarantee your reservation.
The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:
 Cash
 Bank transfer

Compare similar fishing charters

Current
GA WestCoast Charters – Parksville
GA WestCoast Charters – Parksville
4.8
(22)
21 ft
Group size 1 - 3
1 - 3
Fish 1
Fish 2
+2
5 hour trip • 3 persons
US $421