Biggest Salmon you ever caught???

[pescador]

Since I posted this back in 2012….. I’ve picked up a 32 at the flag pole off Victoria’s waterfront, in 35 feet of water on a hot July day in 2013. Got nice 34 at Nootka off Camel Rock early one morning in July back around 2014….strangely I could hear wolves howling on Bligh Island, it was about 0630, as I’m fighting this fish I look in front on my bow and see a huge buck swimming in front of us. Surreal. Anyway, had to net it solo. The wife was too scared to do it.

Not much the last 10 years. They all seem to be 20-23lb range now. I got a 27 at Bajo around 2017, that’s the biggest the last 10 years.

Gone are the days like 1984 off The Trap Shack where I picked up two 32’s solo one afternoon in my 12 foot aluminum. No radio, no pfd, no paddles, no flares , no sounder. Just a case of beer and two packs of chovies my Peetz reels and a couple of $20 rods……and a Sony transistor radio listening to KJR.

 

[onefish]

Same day, twin 51 lb chromers, pulling plugs in the Kitimat river.

 

[CR Bill]

1970 at Secretary Island 44.5 pounds. Had so much fish that year and had commercial license so sold it to Oakland Industries in Inner Harbour!

 

[kingspring]

51
July 17 2012
Renfrew Purple haze flasher,purple gold teaser head, anchovy fished 30 ft in 70 ft.
11am. Epic battle fishing with my wife!!

 

[Eden Island]

We've had a few - 30# at Beale, 2x30 @ Wells Passage, 34# @ Port Renfrew in the coho derby.

And for 4 years, I worked at the DFO weigh-in at Rivers inlet. We'd get 40's every day, 50's every week, and usually a 60+ about once a month.

 

[Tips Up]

Anyone else find you’ve caught your biggest fish in less than ideal conditions?
All years ago…
Fishing church rock and stuck in tide rip. Kept throttling up trying to break through. Lines getting more and more tension till finally popped out of downrigger. Assuming from too much throttle but nope. 35lber.
Fishing towards the head and blowing so hard we could not get passed. Turned back and fished the wall where I never fish. Bam. My best at 38lb.
Many good fish caught in less than ideal conditions when I figured no way my bait was presenting well.
A few others 30-35lb out of Sooke in my time But nothing over 30 in recent years.

 

[Thunder21]

In 2020 we caught 6 tyees in 3 days in Rivers Inlet. Largest was 48lbs. Been back twice since and it’s been slow both times.

 

[J-GLOBAL]

48 for me, last year, the day after my son got his biggest a 44. Rivers Inlet.

Had one in the 40s in Tofino probably 6 of 7 years ago.

 

[scott craven]

35 lbs was my biggest off Aldridge about 20 years ago, the reel broke in the process but we managed to land it.
I've had 3 or 4 others right around 30 lbs but nothing over in the last 15 years.
Seems a 20 is a big fish these days

 

[cby]

With the Slot of 80cm on for many years and not been able to weigh fish properly could be why around Victoria Area many fish don't get over 30. My biggest is 40 lbs caught at East Point in July 20 / 2008. Had many in the 30's in Sooke, but no weighted. Biggest Weight in Sooke 34 lbs on the scale but many years ago. The over 30's are there but you just can't get them in to weigh them properly. 40's are a unicorn now.

 

[M1SF1T]

All the way back in '04 or '05 for me... 28 lbs. off the Capilano River, with an anchovy at about 80' or 100' or so... I thought it was a dogfish at first until I got it next to the boat and then it went!

I took almost 20 years off salmon fishing unfortunately, started again last year, biggest was 25# out of Tofino... going West again this year looking for a Tyee.

 

[TheHurtLocker]

Up until 4 years ago I’ve never caught an over 30, plenty of 29’s and lost I’d say a 35 ish at Epsom.
I was invited to go to Rivers and was told you have a good chance to get the elusive tyee. Well it did happen, 38. It was very cool, and worth the trip.
Since then, with the same group we go to Bute every year, it’s been a tyee haven for me the last few years. Dozens of fish over 30. It’s truly a special place to fish.

 

[banger17]

33lb spring while fishing coho in Renfrew end of September about 20 years ago. All 4 guys on the boat taking turns chumming the water after a night of booze and riding 15 foot swell past the red can.