Crazy first week out at Nootka. Torrential downpours, big off shore fog, incredibly hot sunny days and now for the last three days gale force winds and huge swells. In between the storms the fishing has been slow {like watching paint dry) to spells of ***** and giggles. During the monsoons it was a little tough finding the fish, once the rains stopped 4 days ago the fishing was quite decent. Fished Escalante for a few days, lots of little coho but picked up some nice springs, biggest was 28 but lots of teenagers and low 20s. Anchovies and spoons seemed to be the ticket outside, fished horse collar herring for one day but no love just yet. 20 to 40 feet was the best, going deeper as the day progressed. With the big winds now most are hiding around the monument and wash rock area, was an early bite for a few days but this morning was a lot slower. Some folks are pounding their way out to Beano and doing well early until the winds really pick up. Not much Hali fishing going on but a few folks are picking up Hali while trolling between Wash and Maquinna, just watch out for those pinnacles, they love cannon balls.
Still have another week here at Critter, looks like the weather will start getting better as the week progresses so more people will be venturing farther out. It is a little quiet our here for boats, hopefully more folks come out in July and try their luck. Will try and post later in the week if the signal permits.
Tips up!
Oh, the fish at the start of the week were filled with squid but after the rain most had empty bellies or a few needle fish or a squid or two. Not a lot of bait around but the storm should push some more our way. Hope this info helps, been away from this forum for a few years but it looks like admin is doing a good job keeping the foolishness to a minimum, enjoy and play safe.
joking aside we have caught halibut while trolling our salmon gear at Beeno Creek in last years. I am not personally set up to anchor on my boat up there but lots of times we will find flats 90-130 ft and will troll a hootchie and flasher on the bottom and do well picking up smaller halibut.
