The Herring Spawn has Started

Spring has started on the West Coast with the arrival of good weather and the annual herring spawn. We are mid spawn right now with a large one off Qualicum over the last couple days. We should see them work South over the weekend. We have sabiki jigs in stock if you want to give herring jigging a try from your boat or from shore.

This has effected the salmon fishing with many smaller Chinook appearing with the herring. The bigger fish are still around. but most fishermen are having trouble targeting them. The more successful fishermen are using larger green plugs, anchovies in Purple UV Teasers and herring brined in UV cures. 

There are also many Coho moving around so shallow fishing for Chinook is not as easy as you may not be able to get through the Coho. All these Coho and smaller Chinook are actually a great thing for later in the year, but if you are getting into them you may need to change tactics.

In local lakes things are really heating up with the warmer weather. Wicked lures in pink, orange and black have been cleaning in in Long, Fuller and even Westwood lake. It's surprising Westwood has taken off so fast with the previous cold weather, but it is very hot right now. If you want to get some trout head up there this weekend with one of the Wicked lures mentioned.

Bass fishing is just about to kick off hard with the best lures for early season being Berkley crankbaits like Money Badger and Frittsides. Best colours are red, orange and gold.

If you have never tried fishing for Bass, this is the best time as crankbaits are easy to use, and the fish are very aggressive. They are also pound for pound the hardest fighting fish around. There is a reason why this is the fastest growing fishery on Vancouver Island.

Big thanks to Brett and both Peters for the reports. If anyone else gets out on the water please submit reports and photos to my email below. All reports are helpful even if fishing was slow. Thanks again to those who helped out.

Tips up,

Steve@harbourchandler.ca