Stay completely away from March, unless you have “days” to choose around the weather. I have actually been there in March and caught in nothing short of a blizzard. Check and watch your weather. You can still have lots of snow on the road and in the passes even in April. There are and you should find inside sheltered waters in late April-mid May to fish.
You won’t have any problems with Tahsis Inlet, depending on weather it should be flat as glass, that is unless you get a good hard southerly blow. It will get some wind chop in the afternoons. Esperanza inlet is usually about the same. You can get some wind white caps in the afternoons, but it is usually quite flat. Just west of Centre Island you start picking up the ocean swells. The tide certainly moves through the Narrows; however, when you say “rip”? I guess the best way to answer that is; I have never had any problems going through the Narrows, during any tide, with any boat, at any time!
Not so sure about the crabbing in and around Tahsis comment? Good luck on that one! You might catch a crab or two, but that whole area would be a very hit and miss proposition, and most miss! You will find some in Tahsis Inlet farther south, but unless you know those areas or see pots - Good luck! BTW... There is better crabbing in Espinosa Inlet.
McBride Bay is and will be the best prawning. It should actually be very good in April and May, just look for the prawn traps. If none is there, both north and south sides of McBride in about 300 feet. I personally prefer the south side. Use lots of bait, put some weight in the pots. Most traps are lost from tides and currents, so watch those.
At that time of year – and if you don’t want to make the run out, I would definitely fish Tahsis Narrows! I have caught salmon on both north and south sides of Tahsis Narrows and it can be productive. Think about that… All salmon returning via the north of Nootka have to pass through Tahsis Narrows! That just might be way DFO shuts the Narrows down every July 15! I prefer trolling the north side, close to shore (and it will be close), in about 90 ft of water. Look for the white starboard hand beacon and troll between that and the starboard hand light. On the south side, look for the port hand light and troll in about 90 feet. I wouldn’t fish and would stay out of the north bay (known as Daffodil Bay, you will see the cottage), as I have never caught any salmon in the bay. There is a little bay on the south side also, where the center comes up to about 30 feet. Troll around the shallow water areas, NOT in or through them. Staying on the edges and in the deeper waters in that 80-100 foot range. You will see those areas on the charts. BTW… the largest red snapper I have ever caught was in the Daffodil Bay in 400 feet of water, right on bottom.
Unless it is really windy, the waters from Tahsis all the way to Centre Island should be and will be flat, until that afternoon wind chop. You will start picking up ocean swells just west of Centre Island. The best salmon fishing in Esperanza Inlet, is “Rosa,” “Double Island” and “Black Rock.” I would also probably fish them in that order, unless you are after Coho, then I would head for Black Rock first. Rosa and Double Island have produced some nice Chinook. The whole Black Rock area, is one of my favorites for Coho. I have had very good luck at those area, at that time of year.
From Westview Marina gas dock, it is 17 nautical miles to Rosa Island (can be good fishing), 20 nautical miles to Pin Rock (that is on the outside and can be good fishing), 23 nautical miles to Ferrer Point (My favorite and has always been good fishing). If you do go outside, get out your charts, as that area is rocks, rocks, and more rocks! But, it could very well be worth the trip and that IS where I would be going – very early in the morning on the incoming tide!
Halibut can be really good that early in the year at slack tide, in the areas just south the Whistle Buoy to the north side of the channel, especially between and around the areas of N49 46.662 W12702.547 and N49 48.063 W127 06.107. Notice I said between and around the areas – still have to find the fish? And if you have a strong tide – forget it, just go salmon fishing!
If you do go outside (and I don’t care what kind of boat it is), watch that weather close and I would suggest, find someone to run with! The winds will normally start picking up sometime after 11:00 AM. I would highly suggest one in a 16-foot boat be back in protected waters, prior to those winds picking up! Also, trust me on this one… Once you leave Tahsis, it could be, can be, and probably will be a long time before you can get any help, from anyone! That time of year, that is NOT the area to venture far by one’s self - A float plan would be highly recommended!
Hope this helps.
