Top Rods Guide Service - Victoria 

4.9/5 (27 reviews)
 Pedder Bay Drive, Victoria, BC V9C 4H1, Canada

Top Rods Guide Service is based on the southern end of the beautiful Vancouver Island. Departing out of Victoria, just an hour ride from Seattle, Capt. Al and his crew offer world-class Halibut and Salmon fishing.

Fishing there is great year-round, no matter when you decide to wet a line. If you want to go out during the winter months, you can expect to tackle big Pacific Halibut and winter Chinook. If you book a trip later in spring or early in summer, you can get your hands on the mature Salmon before they move upstream.

All of this magic takes place aboard a 26’ Osprey Aluminum fishing boat. Built in 2015, this spacious vessel comes powered by a 400 HP Volvo engine and can cruise at a top speed of 26 knots. The boat provides plenty of space and shelter for up to 6 passengers. Inside, there is a heated cabin and a washroom for your maximum comfort.

Whether it’s trolling, jigging, or bottom fishing, Capt. Al will provide you with everything you need to make a great catch possible. All trips with Top Rods Guide Service comes with the use of quality rods, reels, tackle, and bait. You will need to purchase a fishing license before the trip, grab something to eat and drink, and come aboard.

Al Kennedy

Captain

Al Kennedy


Highlights

 Live Bait
 You Keep Catch
 Toilet
 Child Friendly
 Ice Box
 Rods, reels & tackle

Plan your trip

Trip Date:
Days:
Group Size:
Almost there...
Half Day Trip (PM)

 In demand! Last booked: 5 days ago

FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
4 Hour Trip, starts at 12:30 PM
Price for up to 4 people
US $365 
Half Day Trip (AM)

 In demand! Last booked: 2 days ago

FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
5 Hour Trip, starts at 6:30 AM
Price for up to 4 people
US $420 
3/4 Day Trip
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
6 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
Price for up to 4 people
US $493 
Full Day Trip
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
Price for up to 4 people
US $657 
Halibut fishing
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
Price for up to 5 people
US $730 
There are 9 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.9/5
out of 5 stars from 27 reviews
Boat
4.9/5
Crew
5.0/5
Experience
4.9/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (18)

Spectacular Day
Jessie
Jessie
+15

Angler rating

23
1
0
0
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

100%

Appropriate for children

100%

Friendly captain

100%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

85%

Caught fish

95%

Showing 1 - 5 of 27 reviews
Jim L.
Jim L.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Spectacular Day

VERIFIED
NEW

Half Day Trip (PM) on July 10, 2025

Jesse was a stellar captain very friendly and helpful the fishing was awesome and the waters were calm and we all caught fish to take home. The flatlanders were ecstatic at the end of the day. Honorable mention to captain Al Kennedy for recommending Jesse. Great Afternoon thanks Jesse.

Jesse was a stellar captain very friendly and helpful the fishing was awesome and the waters were calm and we all caught fish to take home. The flatlanders were ecstatic at the end of the day. Honorable mention to captain Al Kennedy for recommending Jesse. Great Afternoon thanks Jesse.  

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 Jim L. recommends Top Rods Guide Service - Victoria

Dave D.
Dave D.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Jessie

VERIFIED
NEW

Half Day Trip (PM) on July 8, 2025

He was an amazing guide. Very knowledgable and friendly. Made the experience a memorable one!!

He was an amazing guide. Very knowledgable and friendly. Made the experience a memorable one!!  

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 Dave D. recommends Top Rods Guide Service - Victoria
Al Kennedy
Al Kennedy (The Captain)
Replied on July 11, 2025
Right on Dave I’m glad Jesse made a memorable day for you and your grandsons that’s awesome you have a great summer and hopefully see you again 

Kate V.
Kate V.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Fishing with Al

VERIFIED
NEW

Half Day Trip (AM) on July 11, 2025

 

 Kate V. recommends Top Rods Guide Service - Victoria
Al Kennedy
Al Kennedy (The Captain)
Replied on July 12, 2025
Hi Kate I’m glad that your family and yourself had a great time and Jessie’s a good guide He works hard at it you have a good summer and hopefully see you again thanks

Dennis B.
Dennis B.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

A great experience

VERIFIED

Special 4 hour trip for Dennis Buitelaar on August 10, 2024

We went fishing with Al. A great captain that knew where the fish where and explainted me and my son how to catch the salmon. We caught more than enough. We had a great experience, a memory we will not soon forget. Thanks for the great day Al.

We went fishing with Al. A great captain that knew where the fish where and explainted me and my son how to catch the salmon. We caught more than enough. We had a great experience, a memory we will not soon forget. Thanks for the great day Al.  

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 Dennis B. recommends Top Rods Guide Service - Victoria
Al Kennedy
Al Kennedy (The Captain)
Replied on August 11, 2024
Thanks Dennis I’m glad you guys had a good time I’m glad your son catch a lot of fish to have a good experience have a safe trip back home thanks again Al

Kristie C.
Kristie C.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Fantastic family trip!!

VERIFIED

Half Day Trip (AM) on September 22, 2024

Al was awesome!! He stepped in and really helped us out one another captain canceled on us at the very last minute. We had a fun day on the boat, caught lots of great fish and the kids really had a weekend to remember!

Al was awesome!! He stepped in and really helped us out one another captain canceled on us at the very last minute. We had a fun day on the boat, caught lots of great fish and the kids really had a weekend to remember!  

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 Kristie C. recommends Top Rods Guide Service - Victoria
Al Kennedy
Al Kennedy (The Captain)
Replied on September 24, 2024
Thanks Kristie It Was fun watching the kids have fun catching fish you guys were a great group and hopefully we can do it again another day thanks Al

FAQs about Top Rods Guide Service - Victoria

What are the trip rates for Top Rods Guide Service - Victoria?

Top Rods Guide Service - Victoria offers the following trips to customers:

  • CA $500 per group, additional CA $75 per person after 4 guests - Half Day Trip (PM) (4 hours)
  • CA $575 per group, additional CA $75 per person after 4 guests - Half Day Trip (AM) (5 hours)
  • CA $675 per group, additional CA $75 per person after 4 guests - 3/4 Day Trip (6 hours)
  • CA $900 per group, additional CA $75 per person after 4 guests - Full Day Trip (8 hours)
  • CA $1,000 per group - Halibut fishing (8 hours)
Which amenities are available onboard with Top Rods Guide Service - Victoria?

When you book a trip with Top Rods Guide Service - Victoria, you can expect the following amenities onboard:

  • Toilet
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Bed
  • Wireless Trolling Motor
  • Ice Box
  • Radar
What's included in the trip price with Top Rods Guide Service - Victoria?

Trips booked with Top Rods Guide Service - Victoria include:

  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
What types of fishing does Top Rods Guide Service - Victoria offer?

Top Rods Guide Service - Victoria offers the following types of fishing:

  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Offshore Fishing (Up to 15 miles)
What fishing techniques does Top Rods Guide Service - Victoria offer?

Top Rods Guide Service - Victoria offers the following fishing techniques:

  • Light Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Jigging
Which fish species can I catch with Top Rods Guide Service - Victoria?

Top targeted fish species with Top Rods Guide Service - Victoria include:

  • Cod
  • Crab
  • Halibut
  • Salmon

Meet your captain

Al Kennedy

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

1 Fishing Report
207 Customer reviews
Response time 12 hours
Member since June 2017

Captain Al Kennedy has been fishing and guiding for the past 3 decades. Al especially loves the fact that he gets to work outdoors. He enjoys introducing his clients and friends to those productive waters and showing them all the beauty of the surrounding nature. Capt. Al simply loves when his customers catch fish, especially when it's Halibut and Salmon. Those two offer the best fight!

Fish you can target

Cod
Cod
Crab
Crab
Halibut
Halibut
Salmon
Salmon

Your boat

Boat Image
Boat category
Sportfishing boats
Capacity
5 persons
Boat length
26 ft
Year built
2015
Boat manufacturer
Osprey
Boat type
Sportfishing

Engine model
Volvo
Powered by
1 x 400HP
Max cruising speed
40 knots

Where you can fish

Inshore Fishing

Nearshore Fishing

Offshore Fishing

Up to 15 miles

How you can fish

Light Tackle

Bottom Fishing

Trolling

Jigging

What's on board

Toilet

GPS

Fishfinder

Bed

Wireless Trolling Motor

Ice Box

Radar

Included in the price

Rods, reels & tackle

Live Bait

Lures

How cancellations work

Free cancellation up to 7 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 7 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.

Listing policies

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

You Keep Catch

Catch and Release Allowed

How to 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

 Visa

 Mastercard

 American Express

When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 2% charge will apply.

What’s biting in Victoria right now

CrabCrab
HalibutHalibut
9 people are looking at this charter.