Chinook fishing keeps chooglin’ along. The Grande through Whalebone section has become a bit more sporadic, but we did catch boat limits of Chinook three times last week in this area. The best approach is bottom bouncing in 160 to 200 feet of water, with Mongoose spoons, or T-Rex hoochies as bait. There has been very little bait in the area, but it is somehow still producing fish. Entrance is fickle, too, but sometimes very frenetic. Clyde, Dane, and Steve have smoked it jigging a couple of times this week, fishing the bait schools shallow on Entrance Reef. It was hugely amusing, as we were catching fish trolling, when I radioed Clyde, and he said jigging was “epic”. I pulled the gear, ran over, and the fish immediately went off the bite. I really want to hit this when it is happening, as it is my favourite way to fish. Trolling is sometimes good off Entrance Reef, fishing 200 to 220 in 220 to 350 feet of water.
There are lots of Pinks at Entrance. I am not fishing purposely for them, but landed 5 out of 8 hooked on Saturday while targeting Chinook. If you do want to target the Pinks, fish small pink hoochies on 24 inch leaders, and stack the gear.
There are some Coho at Entrance, 90% of which are wild, and must be released. The bulk of these are being jigged at 30 to 40 feet.
Ling and rockfish are good in 50 to 60 feet of water at Gabriola and Entrance Reef. Try medium herring fished with sliders and 6 to 8 ounce weights.
Prawning is better! Expect around 100 jumbos in two traps. 350 feet, with tuna cat food as bait is the best approach.
Good fishing!