May is the Month for Lingcod They may be scary looking, but they sure are tasty. In fact, if I had to choose between halibut or lingcod, I’d pick lingcod any day of the week. Problem is, I have always found them to be a little tricky to catch. So, when I do fish for them, I check tides and tide tables religiously. Once fishing, I work ledges and drop-offs keeping my bait as close to the bottom as possible. The preferred method by many is jigging for lingcod. I like trolling for them using 4 to 8 oz swimbaits. It’s a lot of work and you must be on your toes since you are constantly bringing gear up and/or dropping it back down. But it can be a very effective way of hooking these “bucket heads” as they are sometimes called. On opening day this year, my group of two and I were greeted by a beautiful sunny morning. Knowing I just missed the tide change on an ebb tide, I choose to fish the northwest side of Gabriola. Trolling two of my favorite 4 oz swimbaits, I watched my depth as I began to work an edge. Once alongside of Gabriola Island near the old Cannery, we finally started having some action. Unfortunately, our customers where Quillback, Cooper Rock Fish, and a very nice Yellow Eye and an undersized Lingcod. We still hadn’t found our prize fish. With about an hour left in the trip, I was bringing up the gear as the depth changed from 160 to 90 feet when I noticed a slight bounce on the portside rod. I grabbed the rod yanking the line off the clip. I quickly handed the rod over to my guest and asked, “feel any better this time?” “Oh yes” was the reply. Five minutes later, we had our first nice lingcod aboard. Oh yeah! If you enjoy eating white meat from the ocean, Lingcod is the way to go. And, with salmon closed until the beginning of June, it is all we’ll be fishing for. As I tell my guests, May is the month for Lingcod.

It doesn't happen every trip but this morning it did. Great weather, superb fishing and whale sightings. Fishing for Chinook salmon has been surprisingly good considering all of the herring (bait fish) that are currently in the area. In fact, it may be the best I've seen in years. The fish are also larger than average for this time of year. Of the 5 fish we hooked in less than three hours, 4 were close to the mid teens (12/13 lbs or 5 kgs ). Crabbing also remains fair to good as well. With just over a week to go before the Chinook salmon season closes (April 1st), now is the time to get out there and enjoy the amazing scenery, awesome fishing and hopefully..., some warmer weather :).

March is the month for Spring Break. March is also the month to discover and enjoy the amazing fishing, nature and history offered around the Harbor City of Nanaimo. Hi, my name is Captain Turk, owner and operator of Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours. For almost two decades I have had the privilege of showcasing the beauty of BC’s west coast. Believe me when I say, the opportunity never gets old. If you are visiting or living locally here in BC, I’d like to invite you on a Fishing Charter or Scenic & Wildlife tour. The experience is something you may never forget. When it comes to Chinook Salmon fishing, Nanaimo is well known. And over the past few months, fishing for “Kings” has been exceptional. They look good, fight good and taste good. Crabbing is also something worth trying. If fishing isn’t your thing, book one of our unique scenic and wildlife tours. There is so much to see and discover. Nanaimo and surrounding islands are rich in wildlife and full of history and folklore. You’ll be amazed at all sights as well as their historical and cultural significance. Make Spring Break 2025 a spring to remember. Take in the breath-taking beauty of the land from the wonder of its waters. Chances are good, you won’t be disappointed.

Adrenaline Rush, Salmon Fishing, Nanaimo B.C. The adrenaline rush for me usually starts the night before. After all these years, sleep still comes slowly as I lay awake contemplating where I’ll be going and what I’ll be using. Awakened by my alarm the next morning, I am greeted by a bright orange sunrise. Oh ya, another day in paradise! Dressing in my winter woollies, I grabbed a coffee and drove down to the docks where my trusted steed awaited. Thirty minutes later, I was on my way with four enthusiastic quests eager to embark on a new adventure in life. After dropping a crab pot, we motored out to the fishing grounds. Ten minutes in, we had our first fish to the boat. Just shy of the legal limit, we released it and doubled back. When the rod went off this time, I knew we were into a better fish. Handing the rod over to an experienced angler, it was all smiles all the way in. A beautiful 75 cm Chinook. “Largest fish so far this season” I said to my group. What I didn’t know…, it was about to get better. A little over an hour later, the port side rod went off. I knew it was something big when it hit, popped the clip, and was off on a tear. “Fish on” I cried! With the rod doubled over, it was the usual deep down head shaking madness followed by a short run halfway to the boat and then another short run right beside the boat. Finally, she was in the net. Wow, a beauty measuring 76 cm’s. “My heart was beating like crazy” said the women once the fish was aboard. Yep, I thought to myself. Its something I have often heard my guests say after fighting one of these incredible fish. They truly can be an adrenaline rush. We boxed one more fish that morning before heading back to retrieve the crab pot full of Dungeness. What a day! What a gift! As their first Westcoast salmon adventure, it was an exhilarating experience. I am sure it will not be their last.

A Pot of Gold and A Cooler of Fish More and more, I hear my guests talk about the beauty of British Columbia when they see it from the water. This past Sunday, January 12, it was the stunning skyscapes that captivated us. The forecast had been for a sunny day with light winds. A favorable combo for my 4 guests who hailed from Saskatchewan. Instead, it was windy with a unique mixture of storm clouds above us while to the east snow-covered mountains gleamed in the clear skies of the morning sun. Unsettling yet stunning at the same time! We even managed to see a rainbow (you can just make it out in the first photo). And you know what they say about rainbows, there is always a pot of gold on the other side. We were not disappointed! The action that morning started off slow. Nothing for the first 45 minutes. And then, almost as if someone turned on a switch, the bite came on. And what a bite! Winter chinook fishing in January typically means weeding through several fish before hooking a good one. Not this time. Most of the fish were well over the legal size limit. We even landed two that topped the tapes at 70 cm. Astonishingly, only two and a half hours into the trip, we had a cooler full of fish. Then, as abruptly as the bite turned on, it turned off again. No matter. A good time was had by all! It's been said that nothing lasts forever. But that morning, we left with amazing memories. Much needed medicine in a world of change and challenge. My guests assured me they’d be back for more.

It’s a new year which means a new season for Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours. And for the first time, our first charter was New Year’s Day. With recent reports of good Chinook fishing and favourable conditions for the afternoon (windy and overcast), we set for a few of my favorite hotspots, Horsewell Channel and Neck Point. Eager to drop the first line, I forgot to set the tension on the starboard side reel. Result? A major bird’s nest…aargh!!! After a few unsuccessful attempts at untangling it, I went over and dropped the port side line before returning to the mess. To my astonishment, it didn’t take more than 60 seconds before my guests were excitingly pointing at a bouncing port side rod. Fish on! The action was consistent for the remainder of the afternoon. Unfortunately, the fish coming to the boat were all between 59 and 61 cm, just shy of the legal limit. Finally, just past Neck Point, we hit a good one that measured 65 cm. Later that afternoon, in front of Clark Rock, we lost the best fish of the day…, the big one that got away! All in all, a great afternoon on the water with lots of action. Driving home that afternoon, I was reminded again of how fortunate we are to enjoy such an amazing resource. The beauty of the rocks, beaches, islands, forests, snow capped mountains as well as the rich variety of marine life just never gets old for me. I love this place. And I relish the opportunity of revealing the wild wonder and beauty of BC’s west coast to our guests for another year. As another season begins, I invite you to join us on one of our fishing adventures or marine tours. Or simply follow us on Facebook for regular updates on fishing conditions. Captain Turk (Andrew Turkstra) Owner and operator of Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours