[Coventry]

Bigjay, you are probably the guy to answer this,

When is it time to start trying shallower for early bluebacks? I was out twice last weekend for three hours each, (QB) and nuttin'. Came over to the freighters and got two brave little releasers of about ten inches.

Is the winter feeder season over, and if so, when is it a good time to start trying for em back's?

 

[high tide]

Feeder springs will be out in about, through out the Van harbour, off south Bowen, QA, QB etc. etc. April is usually good off the Hump if you get calm enough water to fish the open area 3 to 5 Miles off Bowen. They often start to come higher up this time of year rather than just off the bottom. That's not to say they will be surface fish, still 75 and deeper likely. Find some bait and you'll find the springs. You should be leaving the Blue Backs alone as they will be much larger by summers end, also be reminded that hatchery coho are only open in specific waters.....otherwise....no coho what so ever.

 

[bigjay]

I agree with high tide, that is pretty much what to do for this time of year. And there may be the odd migrating fish shallower then 60ft. but that is more of a hopper then a sure thing.
And blue backs are not worth fishing for as this time of year they will be just reaching 1.5lb. I strongly suggest that if you do incidently catch coho between now and mid-June (when the Cap. starts) that any coho are released and then not targeted. They are not what they once were in the strait and any help we can givem' is good.
Have fun, Jason

 

[5-Salt Fever]

Bluebacks?

 

[fishinmagician]

For all intensive purposes...

Bluebacks should be classified as an endangered species (Coho)..there are NONE to be found at this time of year relative to years ago. Even if there are some numbers around...shame on any fisher that would target them.

 

[coho_killer]

one more month and the o'l ho's will be off the cap mouth let the season begin!

 

[bigjay]

The only coho I have caught at the Cap could be called bluebacks but I caught em' in August. They were big blue backs all of 12".... that is something I have not seen in 20 year of fishing a coho in August only 12! The normal coho thing is 1 1/2 years in the ocean about Feb of the last year they start eating fish, shrimp, squid and anything else going from 1lb to +or - 7lb in less than 7months. And before last year never ever saw a Jack coho probably to busy with chinook shack and real fish to notice I guess.
Leave the Georgia strait coho alone... maybe if everyone tears there house that once stood on all the little creek around the lower mainland and on East Van Is. and Sunshine coast they will come back soon... sorry I am still drunk as you can tell from hopeful view.
Have fun, Jason