Yes, it's on in our local waters around the Vancouver waters. Since mid November, we have been hitting multiple fish days in the usual haunts: Tunstall Bay, Waterfall, Grace Island, Defense Islands, Porteau Cove, Horseshoe Bay and Vancouver Harbour. There has been a lot of bait it these areas. The Bellbuoy off Point Grey and deep into the freighter anchoring areas has been holding bait since mid-November and as of yesterday, conditions haven't change producing multiple Chinook hook ups ranging from undersize to 80+ cm. Fishing this location is what I and other local guides call "fuel efficient" days as it's very close to the marinas and boat launches, however it's also the busiest area and on Sunday Jan 6th, there was in excess of 80 boats along this stretch yet there still a lot of fish boated and released. Yesterday's stomach contents were 2" -3.5" small anchovies. The thick bait balls were mostly along the bottom and up to 80'. I like to drop the cannon balls to the bottom and then up a few feet. Phat-E and little Phat-E spoons by Westcoast Fishing Tackle or Skinny G's and Koho Killers spoons by Gibbs Delta have been money as well as hootchies matched with glow flashers. These winter Chinooks are often referred to as feeders and are aggressively feeding so I like to troll on the faster side so my downrigger lines are slightly more than the usual 45 degree angle. If you're not getting much action going through the bait, try raising and then drop your rigger balls to give your lure so erratic action.
From a salmon conservation view point and promoted in a recent study by Sports Fishing Institute, please do not net any undersize salmon and simply use a gaff release or a pair of pliers to remove the hook while the salmon is still at the side of your boat. Also you should change out your hooks to 3/0 in size to prevent fatal injuries to the smaller salmon.
Tight lines, conserve our resource and "Let's Go Fishing!"
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