just picked up my first boat in Victoria very excited to finally be boating and fishing on my born and raised island. I have my boater licence and have taken the power squadron course so know a some on navigation and boating ect. I have lake fished for years but saltwater is pretty new. I was thinking I would like some calmer water for my first trip out tomorrow afterwork 5ish. Not sure where wind kicks up in the evening etc. and was thinking some calm waters mabey Brentwood Bay? And ramp not to hard to manage? Im close to Esq and Beecher bay might be ok but thought I can get out to far so mabey somewhere a bit more shelterd? I heard Sidney is calmer? Any thoughts for a newbie? Thankyou!!
It really depends on the wind direction.
last couple of weeks , the wind has been from the WSW
so the east side of the island is protected.
Keep an eye on Big Wave Dave http://www.bigwavedave.ca/forecasts.php
and you will have a good idea where the sheltered area's are.
Congrats on the new to you boat. Lets see some photos!Originally Posted by fish stalker
just picked up my first boat in Victoria very excited to finally be boating and fishing on my born and raised island. I have my boater licence and have taken the power squadron course so know a some on navigation and boating ect. I have lake fished for years but saltwater is pretty new. I was thinking I would like some calmer water for my first trip out tomorrow afterwork 5ish. Not sure where wind kicks up in the evening etc. and was thinking some calm waters mabey Brentwood Bay? And ramp not to hard to manage? Im close to Esq and Beecher bay might be ok but thought I can get out to far so mabey somewhere a bit more shelterd? I heard Sidney is calmer? Any thoughts for a newbie? Thankyou!!
As far as sheltered waters and easy launching for a newbie, Esquimalt launch and fish odgen to clover point. Beecher Bay and fish aldridge to church.
Brentwood is nice a protected but no fish opportunities. If you've got prawn traps, game on! Sidney can be a zoo at the ramp, but there is good crabbing close by, and it's always nice to pull up to the beach at James Island or Sidney spit. I've never had great luck out there for salmon, but I'm sure some are around.
I would stay away from the busy launch times until you get things dialed. It can get crazy with a lot of impatient kooks.
cheers
"Ocean survival" is gobblydegook double speak for "we don't know and we won't or can't address the real reasons for the decline for economic/political reasons so we will hope for the best next year". - Englishman
I would suggest take someone who knows the area if you are in Sooke/Vic or any area. Many guys learn the hard way. There is great times with fog and the waves weather especially in JDF ....can be nasty if you don't know what you are doing. Make sure your boat is fully equipped with safety gear and at least GPS and depth sounder and especially a VHF radio....
I really suggest in the fall you take the 1st year power squadron course, and also the VHF radio course it is worth the money. The boat certification they have online is a joke in you will likely not learn anything...
As with wind direction. Always watch out for wind blowing and an opposing current. On full moons and new moons when tides are strongest you can get big ass seas....
Forgive me if I mis-understood your request, but as I read your post, I assumed it was the launching etc. that had you concerned.
From Esquimalt Pedder Bay would probably be my choice - I think it's an easier ramp than Cheanuh, and still relatively close to your home. Ramp is in good shape (or at least used to be), and not too steep. Protected from the winds too.
If it's not busy, tell the fellow in the office you're new to this launching and retrieving business and do the launch, put it in the water, and retrieve it several times. This includes sliding it off the trailer and moving the vehicle and trailer. (It's a slightly different proposition backing an empty trailer down a ramp than one with a boat on it because you do not have the visual contact with your boat, have to rely on side mirrors.)
A bit of practice and you won't be intimidated by the launch-ramp pros when you hit a busy time.
Get that down, then do some motoring about the bay, get a feel for the boat from how tight a turn you can make at low speed to how it handles in reverse. Practice docking too.
Then put your poles in the boat and go fishing confidently knowing you can handle the launch/retrieve/docking parts.
Hope this helps.
Good fishing.
Hey FS,
Time nailed it in terms of pratice docking. easy way to do this is to drop a couple bouys / bumpers tied to the bottom (crab traps) and practice parallel parking and learning how it handles at slow speeds. Preferably on a calm, no wind day. Might even get a meal outta the deal
Hey Stalker,
Great to hear you've got the boat and will be getting out on the water. As someone who has also just picked-up my first boat this year, I've been gaining the same experience for the last few months, and it certainly is necessary to simply put the time in - get out and experience different areas, ramps etc. I agree with TIME, Pedder is probably the easiest to launch from, although Esquimalt and Cheanuah are alright too - it's actually the getting back onto the trailer that is the hardest, and then the steep ramp at Pedder has the others beat, especially at low tide (ideally stick to the right side looking towards the land when coming in, though, there is a hole on the left side that can trip you up if out for the first time). I was grateful for the patience and assistance provided by the staff at Pedder the first few launches, but there are helpful people at all of those areas (I haven't been to any others yet - although Cattle Point, Goldstream, and Sidney are in the plans). Oh, and get yourself some good gum boots, or better yet, full waders cause you will have to go into the water/on the trailer - learned that from experience.
In terms of location during windy days, as we have been experiencing most afternoons, do pay attention to bigwavedave, my experience is that a max of 10 knots is launchable, from 15 up it's a bad day to head out. But if it's a windy day in Sooke/Victoria, it is usually calmer in Sidney or Brentwood/Saanich inlet. Pedder offers some protection and I understand you can stay within the mouth of the harbour there and catch fish. The trip in and out of Pedder is good to get to know your boat well.
Good luck, have fun!
Awesome advise everyone thank you!!
No pics unless theres bloody decks in the background. Shes no beauty queen more like a rocker chick. But I have a good fishy feeling about her or him lol.
I woulndt have thought of crabtrap 'dock'. Some practice is defiently going to be needed! And a bit more safety gear.
Good advise on the waders Cornflake I wouldnt have thought of that!
Thanks again everyone! I will give you a trip report tomorrow!
Well did the first test run out at the lake and she went fine! I know I have been spoiled by fishing in a 100g grady white and its turned me into a bit of a boat snob which I will have to get over. My whole boat package cost less then his kicker. My biggest issue is the 2 stroke smell. I was reading last night bike guys say theres actually a difference between oil brands? and theres strawberry scent you put in which sounds a little weird and its expensive. Any thoughts?
The steering is also a little tight so Ill have to read up on hydrolic line and rams etc.
Its feels alot smaller in the water with the waterskiers wake everywhere I can imagine its going to be like that in the ocean which makes be a bit worried.
How do electronics work? The more shit you have on your boat the more chance of bad vibes being giving off? hence the blackbox. It only has a little fishfinder and electric scottys w/braid now. I want to upgrade to a gps/finder unit and a vhf and sound system. Do I have to make note on how much these things draw when choosing?
Going fishing tomorrow hopefully! oh what size cannon balls for around here 15's?
"How do electronics work? The more shit you have on your boat the more chance of bad vibes being giving off? hence the blackbox. It only has a little fishfinder and electric scottys w/braid now."
If you're using braid, there's no need to worry as it does not transmit voltage.
I went from using 12 lbs to 15lb balls this year and suggest they are the way to go.
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