Wild coho salmon season is now open in Sooke waters and the fishing up to opening day was great.
Another period of rain moved the fish and resulted in disappointment for many coming out for the Oct. 1 wild coho salmon opening. But not all is lost, the fish are already regrouping and we will again have some good coho fishing.
Secretary Island, straight out front of the harbour, and Otter Point have been the best spots to look for coho salmon. Best downrigger depths from 60 to 150 feet in anywhere from 100 to 600 feet of water. Best bait-anchovies in glow or chrome series bait heads.
Good lures include green and glow white hootchies, pink or red squirts, green and white Coho Killers, and Gibbs No Bananas, Bon Chovy, and Irish Cream spoons.
Crabbing in the harbour is steadily becoming better with more large male Dungeness crabs coming into the harbour to feed on the spawning salmon. Try fishing the incoming tide for action on crabs.
Port Renfrew Marina reported Mark Perkins from Colwood winning its “winner take all” coho fishing derby last weekend.
Perkins took home $12,540 in cash for a 19.14-pound coho caught on a small trout rod the crew used as the “middle rod.”
The Sooke Coho Derby is this Saturday (Oct. 8).
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Ron Neitsch is the owner of 2 Reel Fishing Adventures, based in Sooke.
