Cleanline Sportfishing

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I’m sure all of our guests over the first two weeks of April we pleasantly surprised with Tofino’s early season fishing opportunities, not too mention everything else there is to do in Tofino during the early season. Spring time in Tofino offers a surprising amount of activities and with fewer crowds and affordable accommodation options, Spring is the ideal time for local Vancouver Island or B.C. residents to have Tofino all to them selves! A combined salmon, halibut and crab charter on Cleanline’s Offshore Fishing Experience one day, a Tofino surfing lesson the next and with a hotsprings, whale watch and wildlife tour on the final day, this completes an ideal recreation package, so call us today for customized activity ideas for families, couples or the single adventurer!

 

On the fishing front, the offshore fishing waters such as Portland Point and Three Humps have been producing both reliable Chinook fishing and halibut on the troll and a mere 35 minute run from the dock and is a great early season option. Recent catches have revealed a fish diet of krill, needle fish (Pacific Sand Lance) and a small amount of herring. The sign of krill moving in and presenting Chinook salmon with a variety of prey options gives a sportfisher a few more options in terms of lure choice and trolling technique. Small anchovies trolled a good distance behind a flasher and a variety of needle fish options are still a reliable standby for early season. One may also find success on smaller chrome or green/chrome coyote spoons especially during those clear water  conditions. Fishing deep is still the key at this time of year, but with sunshine and clear waters try 10 to 30 feet above the bottom as fish will have very reliable visibility. Schools of Chinook are smaller at this time of year, so staying on a found school is paramount on having the chance at multiple fish hook ups.

 

On the halibut front, we’ve experienced some of our most productive trips this season bouncing spreader bars along the bottom with a variety of whole herring, octopus and Power Bait grubs. Not having to go too far offshore allows for a more comfortable ride and more time spent with lines in the water! We’ve been fishing south off Lennard Light House 3 to 5 miles using our halibut drift fishing and jigging techniques, producing some nice halibut in the 20 to 50 pound range–the ideal eating size!

 

Moving into May, having more available sunlight triggers some exponential ocean productivity, hence an increase in abundance of available food for salmon and halibut! So we expect the fishing bite to really heat up through the end of April and into May and with sea conditions gradually improving, we’re setting up for some fantastic pre-summer fishing!

 

Tight lines,

Blake Klopfenstein

Owner/ Operator, Cleanline Sportfishing in Tofino, B.C

 

To book your “Ultimate Sportfishing Experience” in Tofino please email blake@cleanlinesportfishing.com or call directly at 2507263828. Visit our website at cleanlinesportfishing.com or ‘Like Us’ on our Facebook Page for recent fishing reports, photos and promotions. We’re on Twitter as well!