2023 Nootka Sound/Esperanza Inlet Reports

[Fishalot]

We filled for the first time in Zeballos last Saturday. Very good service and friendly staff.

 

[pescador]

Wow, its blowing up there.

 

[salmonkiller01]

Wow, its blowing up there.

View attachment 93973

Yikes. Bit too much for offshore

 

[donnie d]

Wow, its blowing up there.

View attachment 93973

34 days for that NW to relent….

 

[codfather]

The fishing is getting way better with lots of fish from Maquinna to offshore at Beano.

We have a great forecast this week.

 

[codfather]

Forecast

 

[Southswell]

Just finished up a few days fishing Esperanza for the first time. Camped out on the boat. Great weather conditions and exceptional fishing. We limited out by 7am with four guys in the boat both days. Springs were averaging 12lbs -15lbs with several over 20lbs. Caught limits on coho inside area 25 which was a nice bonus. Bottom fishing was a bit more difficult for us.

Fish were all stuffed full of tiny little fish, but interestingly brown turd hoochies and flash flies performed the best.

 

[walleyes]

Just finished up a few days fishing Esperanza for the first time. Camped out on the boat. Great weather conditions and exceptional fishing. We limited out by 7am with four guys in the boat both days. Springs were averaging 12lbs -15lbs with several over 20lbs. Caught limits on coho inside area 25 which was a nice bonus. Bottom fishing was a bit more difficult for us.

Fish were all stuffed full of tiny little fish, but interestingly brown turd hoochies and flash flies performed the best.

Couple nice tubs of fish there.

 

[Alison2]

Up at Esperanza and high rock has been the place to go for quick limits of chinook and coho. Getting some halibut and lings off shore when we can. Robert at Port Eliza has been very accommodating and his location is so close to the fishing grounds. Highly recommend this place.

 

[Dan The Man]

Fished jack and jill out of critter . winner was 25 lb. got one 23 1/2.. that is fishing!! I would say it wasn't hot fishing . Hit or miss . Did hit an amazing 5pm bite at beano . 8 fish in hr. anchovies and skinny G.

 

[pescador]

Fished jack and jill out of critter . winner was 25 lb. got one 23 1/2.. that is fishing!! I would say it wasn't hot fishing . Hit or miss . Did hit an amazing 5pm bite at beano . 8 fish in hr. anchovies and skinny G.

Was all the action at Beano? Any other spots producing yet?

 

[Denny Dolittle]

On the way from GR to Critter, which side of Gore Island should I take? Thanks.

 

[Dan The Man]

Was all the action at Beano? Any other spots producing yet?

All my fish came out of beano. Heard of some fish out of Wash

 

[Dan The Man]

On the way from GR to Critter, which side of Gore Island should I take? Thanks.

Right side.

 

[TomicTime]

thanks ! for the reports ;-) be there in 5 daze…… counting down…..

 

[jcon12]

We are going on our 3rd year in nootka. Had a few questions as we are taking the larger boat this year and will be venturing further offshore.

1. How are you getting daily/accurate weather forecasts? Critter cove displays the 3? day forecast but i've never found it to be accurate

2. Any tips on fishing for black cod/sablefish? We are also happy to catch smaller ones in shallower water

 

[tubber]

Windy, Wind alert, Buoyweather if there is a signal like at Moutcha or Port Eliza.
VHF weather channel on a loop paying extra attention when they talk about lightstation reports.

 

[Nasty017]

We are going on our 3rd year in nootka. Had a few questions as we are taking the larger boat this year and will be venturing further offshore.

1. How are you getting daily/accurate weather forecasts? Critter cove displays the 3? day forecast but i've never found it to be accurate

2. Any tips on fishing for black cod/sablefish? We are also happy to catch smaller ones in shallower water

Drop to the bottom in 500+ ft of water

 

[Port Eliza Fishing]

Fishing in Esperanza continues to be good, it has slowed down from the easy limits we were experiencing at high rocks the last little while. Some of those fish seem to have moved on. There are still consistent catches from Tatchu down to Low Rock on small spoons or anchovies, both coho and Chinook. Have to work a little harder now though. We have seen a few squid in stomachs, but still mostly small herring.

 

[pescador]

I’m up at Nootka starting Sunday for a week. Will try to post a report mid week. Weather looks spectacular as far as sun goes. Not sure about offshore winds.