Captain
Andrew Turkstra

Member since January 2017 Nanaimo, Canada
Background
I have been fishing all my life. Many had suggested I become a fishing guide, so I took their advice and after working for a number of different fishing charters on the west coast of Vancouver Island, I started my own business called Reel Time Fishing Charters. With a passion for boating, fishing and the enjoyment of helping people catch fish, there has been no looking back!
Techniques
Trolling and jigging

Hey, I'm Captain Andrew Turkstra

Nanaimo, Canada
Background
I have been fishing all my life. Many had suggested I become a fishing guide, so I took their advice and after working for a number of different fishing charters on the west coast of Vancouver Island, I started my own business called Reel Time Fishing Charters. With a passion for boating, fishing and the enjoyment of helping people catch fish, there has been no looking back!
Techniques
Trolling and jigging
Anglers Choice
Verified

My Charter Listing

Excellent
4.8 / 5
(147 reviews)
Angler's choice
Nanaimo
 3 bookings in the past week.
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $404

Fishing Reports

The Coho have Arrived!
The Coho have Arrived!
Jun 12, 2020 Nanaimo
This morning, I took a group of anglers out to one of my favorite places for Coho fishing in Nanaimo. We were not disappointed. In addition to some very fine Chinook salmon that we caught and released, we also hooked into eight Coho salmon. Fortunately, three of the eight were clipped fish meaning keepers. Another great adventure aboard Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours. Book with us today while the fishing is good. Chances are, you won't be disappointed. Our Covid Commitment: At Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours, our commitment to you is a service that is safe and enjoyable. As such, our Fishing Charters and Marine Scenic and Wildlife tours will include the following: โ€ข Private Charters (groups no larger than six consisting of family members & close friends only) โ€ข Face Masks (face masks will be provided for our guests and worn by our captain) โ€ข A sanitized boat (all touch points to be disinfected before each trip). โ€ข A handwashing station (our boat offers running water, a sink and soap for our guests to wash their hands after handling fishing or sight-seeing gear). โ€ข A COVID Questionnaire (all guests who book with Reel Time will be asked whether they have experienced or been exposed to COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat or headache). โ€ข A no-hassle reimbursement of deposit (if for some reason the trip has to be canceled, we will reissue your deposit). The summer of 2020 will be forever remembered as different. At Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours, our desire is to replace the fear factor with the fun factor by ensuring a safe environment. If you have any other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. Yours Truly Captain Turk Owner and operator of Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours
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Best Winter Fishing in Years
Best Winter Fishing in Years
Mar 5, 2020 Nanaimo
Best Winter Fishing in Years! It may be cold out there. It may even be windy and wavy like it was this morning. Yet, the fishing remains excellent for this time of year. This morning, in the midst of some big wind and waves, a brave crew weathered the conditions! They were not disappointed! Within seconds of dropping the first line, the rod went off and it was fish on. After a great fight in some pretty tricky conditions, the fish was in the boat, a beautiful winter Chinook. Wind and waves made it hard to hold a position but we kept at it. With no more hits, we moved around a little making our way to a place anglers call the โ€œfirst green lawn.โ€ It was there we hooked into our second fish. Another good fight but the fish was just under and we released it beside the boat. With the main runs of salmon swimming by in late April and May, March is often a challenging month to find quality and quantity. However, 2020 so far is shaping up to be some of the best Nanaimo fishing Iโ€™ve seen in years. Though it can be like trying to find a needle in a hay stack, we have been putting fish into the cooler every time, sometimes coming home with 2 or 3 fish of quality size. And, with no word yet about the new 2020 regulations, March still provides anglers with the opportunity to keep fish (if nothing changes from last year, Chinook fishing will be closed to retention beginning April). So, if a little cold or even some wavy water does not bother you, consider a fishing charter with Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours before the end of the month. Our boat is ready to go at a momentโ€™s notice and the bit is on!
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.8 / 5
out of 5 stars from 147 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (96)
Outstanding!
Outstanding!
Outstanding!
+93
Angler rating
122
18
0
0
2
Anglers claimed
Good experience
96%
Friendly captain
99%
Recommend this charter
93%
Appropriate for children
92%
Satisfied with the boat
99%
Caught fish
87%
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Showing:
5 of 147 reviews
Robert W.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall
Captain Turk: gave us a great fishing experience which he can tune to the level of the fishing guests on board, novice to experienced....
Robert W. recommends Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours
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Robert W. recommends Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours
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Alicia O.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Outstanding!

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ In Season - 1:00 PM on August 27, 2025
Our family of four (dad 45, mom 41, daughter 16, and son 12) visiting from Ontario had an absolutely epic experience with Reel...
Alicia O. recommends Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours
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You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Alicia O. recommends Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Robert S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Amazing atmosphere!

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ In Season - 1:00 PM on September 13, 2025
Incredible time! Always swapping it up, we constantly had fish on the lines, and if there was ever a moment weโ€™re we werenโ€™t...
Robert S. recommends Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours
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Robert S. recommends Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours
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Mekaila B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Everyone reeled in a fish!

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ In Season - 1:00 PM on June 15, 2025
When you go fishing all you can do is hope to reel one in! We are a family of 4 and everyone reeled in 3+ fish each in a four...
Mekaila B. recommends Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Mekaila B. recommends Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Adam R.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Coho stood no chance!

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ In Season - 1:00 PM on July 10, 2025
My girlfriend and I had a great time fishing with Captain Turk. Iโ€™ve been fishing my whole life but it was her first time....
Adam R. recommends Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours
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Adam R. recommends Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours
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