[Steelie Trav]

Hey guys, I finally have my riggers mounted and picked up some cannon balls and am ready to go hit the chuck for some dinner, only thing is I have no Idea where to start for lures flashers etc...

I have heard of a few staples in the arsenal such as the wonder bread, cyote spoons, hootchies (army truck seems to be the most mentioned) but can someone give me a little advice on flasheres and what I should never leave the dock without?

I am also planning on exploring the sound first, maybe hole in the wall or tunstall bay but if anyone has any pointer in direction I would surely appreciate a PM.

Have people started fishing the mouth of the Fraser yet? I would imagine that there are some springs hanging around in number now down there.

Thanks

 

[dog]

congrats. what kind of boat. Did you get a nice big net or gaff, and paintball supplies or similar sporting goods. sling shot does nothing. I like bright green glo on bright days and dark like army truck on dark days.

 

[firstlight]

I like the lighter green Hot Spot flashers.
Glo white hootchie,green and white,purple haze.

 

[Steelie Trav]

Thanks guys, it looks like I get a tackle box full of salt goodies to search through!!

How about any new chuck tips? Locations? I know I could use some directions for my first outing (not the first time with my boat in the chuck though, just fishing) I was thinking about either around Bowen or the mouth of the Fraser? Thoughts?

 

[Dogbreath]

All you really need is a few spoons, a few hootchies, a few flashers and a hook sharpener to start.

 

[Pippen]

Trav.....

As far as "where to go". If you are relatively new to the salt and depending on what your boat is, I would stay clear from the mouth of the Fraser or at least keep a VERY close eye on the tides etc. With the amount of water coming down there right now, those waters can be tumultuous and pretty dangerous.

I would stick with trying Bowen, maybe Hole in the Wall or the local English Bay/Ambleside area or out by the Bell Buoy. It won't be long until the coho's start showing up.....and for EVERYONE right now I think it is a bit of hit and miss with locations. Hearing good things here and there about Bowen/Tunstall etc.......and the reports are on and off from the local waters.

The old resident "report man"..........fishingmagician may be able to update on what he has heard of late.

 

[Steelie Trav]

I have heard about the dangers of the mouth, but really what are we talking about? No-one has ever actually explained it to me. Can it be any more dangerous than navigating the Fraser around Chilliwack/Hope?

 

[Pippen]

Trav....when you get the water rushing out of the river....mixed with a tide it can be absolute mayhem there. Remember that fishing boat that capsized there a few years back and there was all or close to all of a family that died? That was a probably at least 40' trawler. With the water volumes coming out of the Fraser I would either stay well off the mouth or work the areas to the North and South. Tides can be nasty in areas where they meet other water or are rushing between islands etc. Now a slack tide would not be too bad, but I would just caution you to be VERY careful if you are going to venture over that way.

I have not been on the upper fraser much at all except for with Roscoe one day last year. I am sure in some of the areas it is very rough water judging by what I have heard from the jet boaters. I am just saying "if" you do.....please be careful and watch the tide charts to see when would be your best time.

 

[Steelie Trav]

Thanks for the info pippen. I can see how the riushing water meeting the incoming tide could create some nasty water. Is it the same under bridges? I have heard that the tide can get pretty ugly there too.

When I do get out for my first time I am sure I will hang around Bowen/Tunstall to Anvil or hole in the wall. Maybe even try the harbour.

 

[Teppit1]

mouth of the fraser definitely not pleasant this time of year. Crossing the straight I'm always happy to get past it and into open water or back into the mainstem coming home... Also make sure you don't veer off course in the river channel, you definitely don't want to get stuck on the shallow sandbars out there! you probably already know that... Good luck :thumbup:

 

[Steelie Trav]

Hmm, I just might have to check this out....its the curiosity in me :

Hopefully I can get out before the wedding (this weekend) but I'll definitely get out there soon.

 

[Barba]

Trav,
be very, very careful under the Lions Gate Bridge as well, it can be dangerous when is incoming tide.

Cheers,

Barba

 

[fishortho]

Hey ST........The guys are right......the mouth of the Fraser and offshore is not the place to be this time of the year....The junk in the area is extreme right now and there are plenty of things to catch your rigger lines and drop lines. The water rushes out of the river and hits the ocean that is not moving, then you add a tide and a bit of wind and you can be in deep sh--!........Right now, I would tend to stick with the inside waters.....even now, upper Howe Sound has a lot of floatsam from the Squamish.....Try hole in the wall, Tunstall Bay area, Gambier Island etc..and definitely keep an eye out for the Charter boys....If they are in the area, usually your chances are better...You will need a sounder/fishfinder and try and stay in the 60-100 foot range....Anchovies are best or coyote spoons in the silver or silver with spots.
Hit the library or the internet salmon university.com is a good site to get you started........folllow all the instructions with the lures and hootchies very carefully as leader length for bait and lure is quite different and if you are too long or too short, you will get poor results...............Ortho 8)

 

[Steelie Trav]

Well I got myself some flashers, hootchies and hot spots. Going to the tackle store today to pick up some spoons and anchovies. Hitting Howe Sound tomorrow with the soon-to-be wife. Couple of quick questions, how deep and how fast should I troll, probably going to be around south bowen, tunstall, anvil areas.

 

[Pippen]

Trav.....as for depths lately I can't help ya as I haven't been out in weeks (with the exception of the odd quick crabbing excurion), but I think from what I have read it is down in the 100' +or- range.

You are looking at a fair bit of water to be covering and I don't know if I would try too much up towards Anvil as of yet. "If" you do....let me know if you happen to be looking for prawns if you're running a depth sounder and have a trap to toss.

Good luck!! Hope to hear good things!!