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
147
Reviews
58
Fishing Reports
Verified

My Charter Listing

Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours

Excellent
4.8 / 5
(147 reviews)
Angler's choice
Nanaimo
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $398

Fishing Reports

Best Salmon Fishing Vancouver Island
Best Salmon Fishing Vancouver Island
Mar 6, 2021 Nanaimo
The fishing in Nanaimo, located on Vancouver Island, continues to be stellar. This past week, our 4 hour charters have been producing between 6 to 10 fish per trip. With the weather warming up and the snow capped Mountains offering breathtaking backdrop, March trips can often be some of our finest. There is also plenty of sea life (sea birds, river otters, seals and sea-lions) to enjoy as well. Book your next fishing adventure with Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours. The fishing is great. And, until the first of April, catch limit is 2 Chinook salmon per person.
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Chinook Salmon Fishing Heats Up In Nanai
Chinook Salmon Fishing Heats Up In Nanai
Feb 27, 2021 Nanaimo
Winter Spring or Chinook fishing continues to heat up in Nanaimo. This past Saturday (February 28), we hooked into 10 fish in under 3 hours of fishing. All of these fish were early summer run salmon that we either just over or just under the legal limit of 62 cm (24.5 inches) with one large exception. In any case, lots of action and lots of fun. With warmer weather and lots of fish moving into the area, the month of March looks promising. Take advantage of our off-season prices as well as the 2 fish per person limit. The Chinook fishery will close at the end of March and will not open again until July 15. Book your next Chinook fishing adventure with Reel Time Fishing Charters soon.
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Good Coho Salmon Fishing in Nanaimo
Good Coho Salmon Fishing in Nanaimo
Sep 29, 2020 Nanaimo
Over the past few trips, we've been catching a good number of Coho salmon as a fresh run moves into the area. These salmon range from 6 to 8 pounds. However, it hasn't been unusual for us to hook into fish that are over 10 pounds. With the summer weather hanging on for the next week, this might be a good time to book a salmon fishing charter before the long grey days of winter begin to set in. The bite is on.
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Fishing in Nanaimo continues to be Stell
Fishing in Nanaimo continues to be Stell
Jun 29, 2020 Nanaimo
July 2020 Fishing Report by Reel Time Fishing Charters Fishing in Nanaimo continues to be stellar during the month of July, 2020. In the past few days, weโ€™ve hooked several Chinook salmon in the high teens and low twenties. Watching anglers test their nerves and strength against fish that leave them shaking their heads with an ear-to-ear smile on their face never gets old. With the Chinook fishery set to open July 15, we have had to release these magnificent fish for conservation reasons. But that has not stopped us from providing our guest with dinner. Our focus has been Lingcod. The abundance of Chinook has made it tricky to hook these fish. But weโ€™ve managed to put a number of Lings in the boat this past season. If you are looking to experience some of the best fishing and amazing scenery Vancouver Island has to offer, call us about our fishing charters and marine tours. With a convenient location, a safe and comfortable ride and two decades of experience, you wonโ€™t be disappointed.
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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
See details
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
KEN S.
Haines, AK
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Reel Time Fishing - Nanaimo, BC- July 2023

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ In Season - 1:00 PM on July 17, 2023
We had a wonderful and memorable family experience with the chartered fishing trip. Captain Andrew Turkstra was very...
KEN S. recommends Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours
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KEN S. recommends Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours
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Matthias S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

More bites than expected

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ In Season - 1:00 PM on August 21, 2023
I was a bit unsure about fishing a place that is located to close to the city and populated waters. But it worked out prefectly...
Matthias S. recommends Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours
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Jon T.
Harrietta, MI
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

4 hr Fishing trip with Capatain Turk

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ In Season on August 14, 2022
Took my 15 year old daughter for her first ocean fishing trip. I have been on 10 to 12 of these myself and Captain Turk was...
Jon T. recommends Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours
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1 person finds this review helpful
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Jon T. recommends Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours
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Jesse S.
Vancouver, BC
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Time On The Water

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ In Season on August 8, 2022
Had to get to Nanaimo at 12:50 the night before because the last ferry from vancouver was rescheduled, and the earliest one...
Jesse S. recommends Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours
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Jesse S. recommends Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours
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Carsten M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great fishing Trip!

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ Off Season on April 18, 2024
We had a lot of fun with Captain Andrew! We caught some really nice fish and the captain knew exactly where to find them ๐Ÿ˜Š...
Carsten M. recommends Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours
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