Sculpin
Well-Known Member
One of the scariest experiences I have had on the water was in my early twenties. It was my first time fishing out of Tofino with a buddy in his 15.5' K&C runabout. Weather wasn't that bad on the way out but they were calling for some Southerly winds etc. This boat had two life jackets, no paddle, no flares, a compass, a handheld gps that ate batteries for breakfast, a depth sounder that barely worked, no life ring or throw rope, an old two stroke Yammy that made funny sounds (found out afterwards had barely ever been serviced), and a floor that seemed quite spongy under my feet.
I knew this wasn't the greatest set up from the get go but I'm pretty adventureous. Well we got out fishing off of Portland Point and my buddy almost falls in setting the gear because of the waves we are taking over the bow. First fish hits before we can get the second line down and it's a nice 20 lber. so we keep fishing of course. Well it got so bad that the water was rushing through the canvas top now and we decided to head in. We got to the entrance to the harbour and it was quite flat there and we both looked at each other and said " bigger boat". We hit the Method Marine fuel dock and both fell on the ramp going up from being punch drunk from the weather (neither of us had anything to drink).
That was probably the best life lesson I learned about fishing the WCVI. Number one have a big enough and intact enough hull to float you. Number two have a motor that can get you there but more importantly get you home. Number three have the proper electronics and safety equipment on board.
I knew this wasn't the greatest set up from the get go but I'm pretty adventureous. Well we got out fishing off of Portland Point and my buddy almost falls in setting the gear because of the waves we are taking over the bow. First fish hits before we can get the second line down and it's a nice 20 lber. so we keep fishing of course. Well it got so bad that the water was rushing through the canvas top now and we decided to head in. We got to the entrance to the harbour and it was quite flat there and we both looked at each other and said " bigger boat". We hit the Method Marine fuel dock and both fell on the ramp going up from being punch drunk from the weather (neither of us had anything to drink).
That was probably the best life lesson I learned about fishing the WCVI. Number one have a big enough and intact enough hull to float you. Number two have a motor that can get you there but more importantly get you home. Number three have the proper electronics and safety equipment on board.