Small Mouth and Sea Bass

 Georgia Straight has been hit and miss this last week. There are plenty of Chinook but they are moving around with the bait. There is tons of small bait, so find the bait and find the fish. If you don't get hits or mark big bait balls move to a different location.  Entrance Island, East Gabriola and Thrasher Rock have been the best locations. Chrome Green spoons like Killy Magee and Chrome Kitchen Sink are working well, as are small plugs in the same colours.

Interestingly there are large schools of Yellowtail Rockfish (AKA Yellowtail Sea Bass) around entrance Island. These mid-water Rockfish are similar to the Black Bass of the West Coast. They are active fishers and are a blast to fish for with light gear. Try casting Mustad Addicted Setback Hoochies or small Mac Deeps.

 Barkley Sound and the West Coast has been on a slow build up as the fish move into the inshore waters. It is forecasted to be a record year for Chinook numbers so the next few weeks should be epic on the West side. Hoochies seem to be working the best with Pearl/Olive/Black and Pink UV being the most productive.

Mid-Island lakes have great Bass fishing right now. This is an underutilized fishery and Island Smallmouth are pound-for-pound some of the best fighting fish on the West Coast. Z-Man, VMC, Owner Ned rig heads paired with 6 Sense NedFry And Z-Man big TRDs in Drew's Craw and The Deal. Check out Chips nice Bass in the photo above, caught Aug 3 in Nanaimo.

Tips up,

Steve@harbourchandler.ca