Fishing Canada from Neah Bay

Capt Bob · 03-07-2006, 04:57 PM

I am getting ready for my annual Neah Bay Halibut trip. With only three days per week to fish in Washington, I am getting a Canadian fishing license to fill out the trip. I have not fished the Canadian side before and looking for some suggestions for a couple of starting points. Maybe some numbers to study on my maps. Anything helps.
Thank you

tomictime · 03-07-2006, 06:04 PM

Tracker..all roads lead to Tracker

tracker · 03-07-2006, 06:51 PM

When you get your license, take a look in there and find the closed area for area 121. Make a route out of it on your chartplotter so that it shows up and you know where it is. Then fish inside it and catch a lot.

Well that is true but the best way is to fish just outside the closed area in the shallowest ares. It is on swiftsure. I can get you some numbers when it gets closer. There is Canadian Blue dot also and it is really good. But it is 40 to 50 out. The bite is instantaneous once you get there. They are not big but there are lots of them and some good lings and such. Anyway the only way to fish Neah bay is to have a canadian license. On your map if you look out beypond swiftsure you will see a bank called Plaluse or something like that. I have done really good there also. Caught the heck out of the black cod a few times. Hope to see you up there that is till the real fish "tuna" show up and then we really get to fish.

tomictime · 03-07-2006, 07:36 PM

La Perouse Bank

What Tracker said.

A few of us will be doing this. As things get closer, stay in touch.

JD

OuterLimits · 03-07-2006, 07:50 PM

Swiftsure Information:

I fish both the US and Canadian. The Canadian side is open 11 months of the year, where as the US side is only open several days (7-10) until the catch quota is reached. Easy run from Neah Bay, but you will need to watch the convergence of heavy tidal movements where the Pacific ocean meets the Straights of San Juan de Fuca. A good strategy is to fish Neah Bay for salmon which typically has been Tuesdays-Saturday, then fish Canadian Swiftsure for Halibut on Sunday. Last year, Washington did allow you to bring back Canadian salmon but there was some restrictions in place to land those Canadian fish in US waters.

Canadian Limit:
2 Halibut per day with 3 in possession.

OFFSHORE (Swiftsure Bank) Canadian Area 121
The waters of Swiftsure Bank, inside a line from 48�34.00'N and 125�06.00'W, thence to 48�34.00'N and 124�54.20'W, thence to 48�29.62'N and 124�43.40'W, thence following the International Boundary between Canada and the U.S. to 48�29.55'N and 124�56.20'W, thence in a straight line to the point of commencement, are closed to all finfish, all year.

swiftsure closure map

Paddler · 03-07-2006, 08:21 PM

Remember that in order to fish Canadian Swiftsure, you must buy your license in Canada. A rather silly rule, as the other areas are open to internet license purchasers. Which is why I'll be fishing Canadian waters other than 121.

Capt Bob · 03-07-2006, 08:58 PM

Thank you Tracker. I was just on your home page looking at the videos of your 05 Tuna season. What a great site. Looks like good times had by all. I didn�t see a link to book a trip.. not sure about the beating heart thing though. Mabe.First things first. Can�t get the License online until April 1. New fishing season. WE will not be fishing area 121 . Thanks for the helpful hint. We are going to wait for the shad to come in and go up for the June fish. Only get two days on the US side, but two fish a day is better than one any ole day of the week. Thanks to all for the input, and hope to see you there

tracker · 03-07-2006, 09:19 PM

I am not a charter boat thence no link to such. I do post an open seat now and then but with the tournament my team thinks we need to practice some. Anyway I would not want to buy the license online if you are going to fish out of Neah bay or maybe will fish out of neah bay. Go to Canada! Do not lock yourself out of an oportunity. Its a few hours on a sunday morning. No traffic if you leave early. Sail through. You can be in and out of canada in the time it takes to get the license.

pnwcoast · 03-07-2006, 09:27 PM

Um, tracker, I got gas money if you are needing to fill a seat on "the Just Keep Fishing"

Keep me in mind!

5 Salt · 03-07-2006, 09:35 PM

Avoid running across in the area where ocean and straight waters meet - like a river bar she tends to be sportier there than on either side.

Bamfield/Ucluelet are bit further to run - 40-50miles but there is some good haibut fishing to be had around W48 39.826 N125 42.232. Could be a good excuse for an over nighter in Barkley sound area. Earlier season (Apr/May) halibut fishing can be quite good inside Barkley Sound as they move into shallows to spawn.

Also, follow the Ucluelet Chaters out to La Prouse Bank. Canadian Chart #3602 is an excellent resource for planning. As well log on to http://www.sportfishingbc.com/forum/...asp?FORUM_ID=2 seems to be a lot of locals who fish Victoria to Barkley Sound on this board. Just besure to play down the fact you are a yankee and you will find most are quite cooperative.

Eagle-day · 03-08-2006, 08:45 AM

FYI, Don't have a gun on board in Canadain waters they frown on that big time.