Happy New Year and the Chinook are bitin
December 30, 2020 Richmond 1 photo

Trip Summary

As we turn our backs on 2020 and welcome 2021 with anticipation of being vaccinated, we can all look forward to a healthy and prosperous year for our families, friends, communities and our countries. During these past couple months as Covid cases have risen requiring new health orders, many of the local guides have been personally fishing within their own local bubble or by themselves as there has been a expected downturn in our usual winter charters. Well one thing for sure is that the local feeders of Chinook Salmon have not disappointed us. For those with a boat, this is the time to get out and put some Chinook catches on your licenses since we were closed from April 1 to August 31 for Chinook retention. The winter feeders are absolutely the best tasting Chinook. Typically the bait these Chinook are feeding on are small immature herring, anchovy, shiners (perch) or sticklebacks. Each time out we have been most successful by matching the bait by using small 3-3.5" spoons, squirt size hootchies or cut down herring when rolling cut plugs. The main thing is to get down deep on the downrigger. Lower to the bottom and then up a few feet. I run 18 lb balls and typically it takes about 20-30 feet more line of indicated depth on the rigger than the depth showing on the sounder. For those who don't like reeling a smaller salmon from these depths, try running a dummy flasher off the cannon ball then run a naked spoon, anchovy rig or cutplug. The prawning has been phenomenal and the crabbing is just to come on. When the heath restrictions are relaxed, give us a call for your next salt water adventure. Good luck and Lets Go Fishing!
Ivan Chu
Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
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Just minutes away from Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond BC, you’ll find Amazing Fishing Charters. Come and enjoy a fully guided Salmon and/or bottom fish adventure. This area is a well-known spot for a year-round fishery for all 5 types ...

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2023-24 Winter Fishing is Hot!
2023-24 Winter Fishing is Hot!
November 27, 2023
Well after some record setting coho fishery in mid summer to another September to remember for large and feisty Chinook Salmon returning to the Fraser River, it's time to layer up and stay on the fish. The "winter fishery" just rolled over without a lull moving away from the Fraser River arms to the more traditional grounds in Howe Sound, the Vancouver Harbour and over across to the Nanaimo side. We've have changed tactics from fishing shallow on the riggers to going deep just off the bottom of the ocean in depths anywhere from 120 feet down to over 250 feet on the riggers. We have been most successful when we let the cannonballs hit the bottom then bring it up a couple feet. Our go to tackle in the winter is glow hootchies and glow 3-3.5" spoons with glow flashers. Notice the key word "glow" as the gear is deep. There is a vast difference in glow qualities amongst the tackle manufacturers. I believe in the adage of you get what you pay for. Westcoast Fishing Tackle is the premium equipment I recommend. Charge up the glow with a UV flashlight, deck light or your cellphone and change up gear every 20-30 minutes. Using bait at these depths is not "fun" as the bait could blow out as it descends as well as any little bite requires a lot of reeling to check the bait. Troll faster than with bait to cover more distance and watch for bait on your plotter/fish finder. This is good time of the year to consider switching to a 50 lb braid mainline with a 30-60 foot topshot of 30 lb monofilament on your reels. It is much easier on you and your rod when tripping the line off the retention clip. Good luck, stay warm and "Let's Go Fishing!"
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