Fishing in Nanaimo continues to be Stell
June 29, 2020 Nanaimo 1 photo

Trip Summary

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, we’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 we’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 won’t be disappointed.
Andrew Turkstra
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
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Reel Time Fishing Charters offers a range of affordable trip options, a captain with more than 2 decades of experience on the water, a stable fishing platform, convenient moorage, and secure parking. Captain Turk’s friendly personality, extensive kn...

Other reports from this captain

May is the Month for Lingcod
May is the Month for Lingcod
May 1, 2025
May is the Month for Lingcod They may be scary looking, but they sure are tasty. In fact, if I had to choose between halibut or lingcod, I’d pick lingcod any day of the week. Problem is, I have always found them to be a little tricky to catch. So, when I do fish for them, I check tides and tide tables religiously. Once fishing, I work ledges and drop-offs keeping my bait as close to the bottom as possible. The preferred method by many is jigging for lingcod. I like trolling for them using 4 to 8 oz swimbaits. It’s a lot of work and you must be on your toes since you are constantly bringing gear up and/or dropping it back down. But it can be a very effective way of hooking these “bucket heads” as they are sometimes called. On opening day this year, my group of two and I were greeted by a beautiful sunny morning. Knowing I just missed the tide change on an ebb tide, I choose to fish the northwest side of Gabriola. Trolling two of my favorite 4 oz swimbaits, I watched my depth as I began to work an edge. Once alongside of Gabriola Island near the old Cannery, we finally started having some action. Unfortunately, our customers where Quillback, Cooper Rock Fish, and a very nice Yellow Eye and an undersized Lingcod. We still hadn’t found our prize fish. With about an hour left in the trip, I was bringing up the gear as the depth changed from 160 to 90 feet when I noticed a slight bounce on the portside rod. I grabbed the rod yanking the line off the clip. I quickly handed the rod over to my guest and asked, “feel any better this time?” “Oh yes” was the reply. Five minutes later, we had our first nice lingcod aboard. Oh yeah! If you enjoy eating white meat from the ocean, Lingcod is the way to go. And, with salmon closed until the beginning of June, it is all we’ll be fishing for. As I tell my guests, May is the month for Lingcod.
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