East Coast Vancouver Island Fishing Report Overview
Winter Spring fishing has been fantastic over the past month when the opportunity presents itself to get out there. The overall average size of the fish has increased steadily. Several reports of fish in the 12-15 lb range from Shelter Pt off Campbell River to south at Tribune Bay off Hornby, and, including Powell River.
Comox Valley
Fishing winters will be EXCELLENT here until the large schools of Herring show up to spawn around the beginning of March. Kitty Coleman hump is producing good numbers and size as of late. Fish deep and on the contours. Most fish are between 200-250 ft. down on the rigger. Last time out 225 with Gibbs Delta Moon Jelly Flasher in combo with Gibbs Skinny G No Bananas spoon was the ticket. We successfully landed a nice 15 and a 12 with several undersize released. Other reports include 4inch 602 Tomic Glow plugs ran deep with a Dummy Flasher on the Cannon Ball. Troll faster than normal for these winter feeders!
Campbell River fishing
Again Campbell River has also had EXCELLENT winter spring fishing with most being dug up at Shelter Point. Purple Onion flasher seems to be the go to with the anchovy combo. Shorten your leaders on your anchovy tie ups to 4ft instead of the standard 6ft, tighter roll, these guys are active feeders. Recent reports of 20lb fish being caught.
Hornby Area fishing
This area has also been producing nice fish up to 20lbs. Fish the contours extending east of Norris Rocks. Make sure you’rer close to bottom. Best combos that work well are cuddlefish hootchies, mostly with some kinda of green. The Jack Smith, Army Truck, and the UV Hornet being my favorites, in combo with Gibbs Delta Moon Jelly Flasher. Also anchovieshave worked well brined with the UV Green colouring. Weather being the main factor for getting out here, the SE winds make it impossible, so wait for the NW to show up.
Powell River fishing
Dean McLaren of Powell River Sportsfishing reports Winter fishing has been steady around Harwood Island and also along the water front towards the Mill. Anchovy with guide series flashers, 4″ Tomic plugs in 600 glow series and G Force spoons are also producing, usual winter depths of 160 – 200 ft seem to be the ticket. Check out Dean on Instagram.
Good Luck out there! Remember to check weather reports it changes fast this time of year!!