Last Chance for Lingcod

 With the continuing nice weather it's a good time to get out and grab some white meat. Lingcod and Rockfish close at the end of the month so get out while you can. Lingcod populations in Georgia Straight have been really good for the last few seasons. These fast growing fish reach spawning age between 3-5 years so unlike Rockfish they are a very sustainable fishery. One of the best ways to target Lingcod it actually to troll for them. This is how commercial fishermen catch them. You rig your Lingcod lure off your downrigger just as with fishing for salmon, and troll parallel to rocky structure. You can use standard swim bait or herring, but there are better options. Using your downrigger means more depth control and less snags so you can utilize several new swimbaits that can get snagged when fished conventionally. All three of these lures have incredible action and catch more Lings than anything I've ever tried. These include Rapala X-Rap Otus, the Savage Gear Burbot and the new Savage Gear 3D Wake Snake. The 3D Snake is ridicules, as it is a top water bass lure that looks like a rattle snake. However it's action drives Lings crazy, and produces strikes. Plus it's hilarious to put up to the dock with a rattle snake lure hanging off your rod.

Salmon fishing is still very good overall. There are lots of small next years Chinook moving into the Entrance Island area. Small Goldstar chartreus with dots spoons are working well for them. There are loads of Coho everywhere. Best lures for this week have been Blue Meanie or Purple Haze Pearl hoochies. There are also opportunities in part of area 14 for wild Coho. Check your regulations prior to bonking one.

For the big Chinook hanging out waiting for the rain fish the bottom with anchovies in purple UV teaser heads. French Creek and Neck Point are your best bet for these big boys.

Tips up, steve@harbourchandler.ca