Port Hardy!

[Red Monster]

Well, as I was telling Mr. D on another thread, like him I'm also going to Port Hardy (for the first time) but in August.

If folks have any ideas about how to fish the area or things to see, I'm interested to hear suggestions.

I do have gps but not radar; I figured the salmon fishing would be good from what I've heard; and even if the hali fishing is not great, I'm thinking/hoping the bottom fishing would be good for lingcod and snapper. I found what looks like a good a b&b at a great price called Kris' Cottage http://www.kriscottage.com/ where I plan to drink a few cold ones in the hottub after a hard day of netting big fish. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

I booked moorage today at the Quaterdeck. At 4pm, the gal who took my reservation said I was the fist Canadian she had book that day lol.

I've also learned that Hard Buoys http://www.hardybuoys.com/index.html is a local fish smoking and processing outfit for looking after your catch if you want your catch frozen and ready to go when it's time to leave.



Remember, it's called "fishing," not "catching."

 

[Dogbreath]

Locally Duval Point has lots of Coho-Pinks this year too.
Springs a bit deeper.
Castle Rock is the the</u> place for Springs sometimes a run through the fog.
Lots of bottomfish over on that side too if you know where to look.
Hardy Buoys are Newfies-I've had mixups with them in the past be we settled all fair.They really do a tasty job on Chums-Natural & Cracked Peppercorn as I recall.

 

[Mr. Dean]

Red Monster!.

Duval Pt has an excellent all species salmon fishery. As the day gets on the boat traffic really starts to heat up though. Nothing like the Cap mouth but it does get busy especially if the weather is somewhat foul, Cowards Corner (nicknamed) can become a hair puller!. Also, this is where Duval lodge is located.

Set yourself up w/ the tide and fish a large plug cut herring on one side and a HUGE spoon on the other. Get out before the sun comes up (charter boats start up (4:30/5:00) and focus on structure w/ say 40ft of water over it. There are several outcrops/reefs around the 'point' that are like this...Doesn't hurt to go out the first day just scouting and sounding to get a feel for the area (having your nose stuck in the charts now is also good). Then set one rigger @ 30 and the other @ 38 and work the sh** out of the reef before the other warriors get out there. if your out early you can also have a chance to hog the reef and troll along the entire drop, instead of just scraping the top. Almost on a daily basis at least one tyee class Chinook comes from there. This is just an outline of what it takes to get it.

The Coho fishery doesn't seem to have any set rules. We catch them all over the place in all depths of water. One day when everyone was limited out on em, we fished deep, looking for one more spring. Had one hit at 180ft and this was in the month of August. Definitely not what you're likely used to around here. Using the bigger baits help somewhat but them Hoe's will be around the 20lb mark when your there.

After the sun comes up and the traffic starts to build I'll usually move out and work land structure/eddy's to get away from the crowds or....Hali hunt!.

Straight across from Duval on the opposite side of Hardy Bay is an island called Masterman. It's mixed in w/ several smaller islands/rocks around and beyond. Be very careful if you venture in-between Masterman and the mainland. Huge rock piles there that can have as little as 6 inches of water over them. Again study your charts!. Beyond this there are several deep underwater humps and 'plateau's that I have had good success with Hali's and Snapper. Never pulled a Ling from here though. But I don't usually target them. Father in law likes em and if he's w/ us I'll stop in at the Gordon's on my way back from Castle to pick one up. Again , BIG rocks that just lie beneath the surface...Be careful. Great Salmon fishing here as well.

Depending on your boat and skills, there is a ton of different places to fish. These are some of the better ones that will keep you fairly close to home.

Honorable mentions:

When the fog rolls in it's not uncommon to have near, or 0 visibility. Sound also seems to come from all around you during these times. Good idea to cross w/ a buddy w/ radar and share a working channel on the radio.

Calm morning sea's usually turn to a 3ft chop early in the afternoon and can be compounded by wind and ocean swell depending on the tide. Check weather forecasts regularly, even while out fishing...Not just before you go.

A number of the local hotspots have a 'courtesy tack' practiced be the locals and charters. Talk to IV at the marina or Ken At your B&B for more info on where, when ect. It works pretty good when practiced by all and makes for getting to know people on the docks easier.

Tis one is the best of all...
As you approach the marina be very aware of where you're at. There is a HUGE reef that extends all the way out from the shoreline to the entrance from starboard. It's well marked but it grabs more than just a few boats every year. Everyone that knows the area checks it out all the time to see who's the 'unlucky idiot that got hung up on it now'.

I could go on and on. Depends on how adventurous you want to get. I'll leave you with this post for now. If you have anymore questions just let me know.

For what it's worth, I live in Langley. If you want to get together and BS its aaaall good!. <img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Some like it rough...
Others just puke!.
Mr. Dean

Edited by - Mr. Dean on 04/27/2005 14:30:34

 

[Red Monster]

Thanks for the great information everyone!

If there's nobody else to do it, I like the idea of quickly getting my fish vacuum packed and frozen at Hardy Buoys. I did that with the fish I caught in Alaska last summer, and out of the deep freeze it's still tastes like the day I caught it!

I think the fog issue may preclude any solo trips outside the Hardy Bay. I do have vhf and may try to hook up with a radar-equiped boat in order to venture to Castle Rock (Point?). I wouldn't want to make the trip across and then get caught in the fog without radar on the way back. The gps I have works great (I used it to navigate through the fog in Port Renfrew last year), but it doesn't tell me when a huge boat is about to take me out.

Mr D. The beers on me!
I'm in Burnaby by the way.

I already have a chart of the area. The "reef" you mention to fish for springers, is this the area approaching Duval Point? As for spoons, I have two 7" chrome Wonder spoons and one 8" brass/chrome Wonder spoon. Are these large enough? I've been waiting for a good place to try these out.

Looking at the chart, I figured Masterman and Gordon looked like likely spots for bottom fishing. I'll keep kissing butt <img src=icon_smile_kisses.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_kisses.gif border=0 align=middle> to get all the best information I can get.

So D, do actually know Ken at the B&B?

Remember, it's called "fishing," not "catching."

 

[Mr. Dean]

Ken is a friend of a friend. He and Kris have good reviews, they'll treat you right.

I sent you a picture of the spot I was talking about. The chart doesn't do it any justice but I'm pretty sure that is where it's at.

The gear you describe sounds perfect. Green, gold, chrome, black & white all seem to work fine...Don't be afraid to change up if one isn't but always keep a plug in the water.

But hey, I live half way to Hope. I could be wrong. Where is the Pacific ocean anyhow?. <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Hardy Bouy's Are Ok. Have had friends use them before. No complaints.
Dean.

Edited by - Mr. Dean on 04/27/2005 23:19:54

 

[Mr. Dean]

One more for ya Red Monster.

When fish'n for them lings I find dressing up the bait w/ a purple and or yellow hootchie works great. Snapper seem to go for white and black or red.

 

[Bravefart]

Seconded

First class information.

Davie

 

[Red Monster]

I have not done a lot of bottom fishing anywhere so I had a few questions about bottom fishing in Hardy.

1. Do folks drift or anchor?
2. How about using bait and a spreader bar?
3. What tides work best?
4. Scent?
5. What size hootchies? Or are we talking large skirts?
6. Mudrakers?
7. Big 8" and 9" chomed/weighted Jig?
8. Weighted hook with curly tail?
9. Various other weighted jigs?
10. Circle Hooks?

I have been collecting lots of gear to go bottom fishing (I have all the above and more) but have had limited opportunity to use it. Port Hardy should be fun, and I hear that lingcod may open in area 17 (Gabriola, here I come) soon.

Remember, it's called "fishing," not "catching."

 

[Eagle Eyes]

not to hijack the thread (all those things will work great bottom fishing in port hardy, used a variety of things there all worked well) but i also was hearing rumors of the lingcod opening in the straight. however if it does open i hope people dont keep the spawners, as we'll end up short just like a few years ago.

 

[Dogbreath]

1. "Do folks drift or anchor?"
Tough to anchor in 300 plus feet of water but not impossible.

2. "How about using bait and a spreader bar?"
That'll do.

3. "What tides work best?"
As little movement as possible.

4. "Scent?"
It helps sometimes Yes.

5. "What size hootchies? Or are we talking large skirts?"
Whatever.

6. "Mudrakers?"
That'll do-pound bottom and keep pounding.

7. "Big 8" and 9" chromed/weighted Jig?"
That'll do.

8. "Weighted hook with curly tail?"
Yippers!

9. "Various other weighted jigs?"
Are you trying to sink the boat?

10. Circle Hooks?"
Not my personal favourite-they work if you leave the rod in the holder and let the Halibut take the bait-remove rod only when the holder is about to break off-retrieve fish.

 

[Mr. Dean]

I just thought of this;

RM, forget the free beer's, why don't you just send us the budget. We could go up there and 'take care of buisnes' and send you the photo's!. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Also, you can try trolling off the airport with a big spoon-- but keep bounching the cannonball on the bottom. Its mainly sand, so you dont have to worry too much about loosing gear.- Concerned Angler

Yup. That works also.

Some like it rough...
Others just puke!.
Mr. Dean

 

[Red Monster]

Well, Eagle, let's hope people will be reasonable about the lingcod. I can't see the need to catch more than a few a year if I'm that lucky, but that's just me. What do mean by spawner; how can you tell?

Thanks for the feedback, Dog. As I suspected, with bottom fishing it's not always high art: if you drop it on the bottom, they will come.

Mr D, don't be too hasty: You don't know what the beer budget is, lol!

Angler, thanks for the idea! Where is the airport (it's not on my chart)? And what else might you suggest about technique for trolling for bottom fish? Is trolling less dependent upon slack tides? How far back from the clip and how far up from the ball would you suggest? And I've heard that a flasher (or dodger?)with a hook attached can also be used? I assume that a flasher is not used along with a spoon? I'm keen to give trolling a try, especially if tidal current becomes less of an issue. I ran into two old boys in Oak Bay last year who preferred trolling for halibut (and salmon at the same time).

Thanks guys

Remember, it's called "fishing," not "catching."

 

[Mr. Dean]

The airport is located at the head of Beaver Harbour. You can see it easily from the strait if you travel ESE from the Mastermans.

 

[Eagle Eyes]

hey mr dean, a spawner is usually a lingcod over 20 pounds(females usually, males are smaller most of the time). Besides they dont taste as good anyway (grainy can have worms). I'd also conisder using a pink salmon head off the airport as a river mouth is in the area(cant remember name) and there will be a lot of pinks in the area... if theres any barn doors down they are sure to be eating pinks.

 

[Eagle Eyes]

also on the topic of pinks for bait... try a whole filleted carcass that works well too. usually they are too big for little buggers or hake that kinda thing, so in theory leaving you to the halis lings or any really ambitious dogfish<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

 

[the runt]

I was out cod fishing yesterday.This is what works for me I fish for lings starting in 15 ft. of water.raise your out drive so it dont get wacked find a tide so it slowly it drifts you out. if the tides moving in you will get hung up i use lead jigs with a curly tale worm bounce bottom but dont drag.sharp hooks are a must or you cant penetrate the mouth drift out to 125ft and start over .good luck

thanks the runt

 

[Mr. Dean]

Red Monster;

When you do find a fish, don't forget to punch the gps. There is a reason as to why that fish was lying on that particular spot. Remember, we're going to them when drifting. They are not neccasarily hunting down our baits. After the landing, go back to the exact location and hit it again to see if big sister moved in. If not, try it again later on. Some holes hold one or two while others seem to have a steady line up.

I don't know how much this holds water but I find that hali's seem to herd in groups depending on their size. Chickens hang out w/ chickens. Bruisers hang out w/ bruisers, ect...And the monsters seem to be more solo. I have never caught a monster (100 pounds plus) in an area that spit up chickens on a regular basis but have nailed them in a spot that held a 40-65 pounder earlier. Then nothing at all after the fact. My thinking is that the big ***** bullied everyone else off and that spot needs to 'rest' for a day or so before it starts producing again. My advice to you would be that if you get a decent one on, go to the larger baits for the next drift and only hit that spot with the big stuff tomorrow, when you are pass'n bye or on your return trip next year!.

Again this is only a thought. Then again' maybe I haven't scratched up the perfect hole ...YET!.

All rebuttals welcomed.

Dean.

 

[Red Monster]

All good advice, guys.

I'll have to remember to mark the spot on the GPS when/if I get a hit. Seeing exactly where the spot lines up on the chart would be interesting, and going back to the exact spot (something that can be quite hard to do) might be something quite worthwhile. <img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle> I also think a chartplotter (on a nice new big boat with radar?) could also make things really interesting. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Remember, it's called "fishing," not "catching."

Edited by - Red Monster on 05/12/2005 19:50:23

 

[Mr. Dean]

Red;

Having a chartplotter makes this type of fishing sssoooo much easier. You'll wonder how you ever did it without.

 

[MyEscape]

I have a hand held with no mapping and even thats great, I at least can follow where I was before the strike and re follow my course or back track my course of my strike which I locked into the gps. Last year that worked, caught one late on the thursday night in port and followed my same course as thursday night and caught one friday at first light in almost the exact same spot. Might I add, different depth, but different time in realationship to the tide. Just an opinion.

Cheers My Escape

Happy Hookin!!!