May 2008 Fishing Report
Trail Bay Source for Sports

April , 2008 was better fishing than what was reported by local fishers as we do not post third hand reports. Through the grapevine a fair number of springs were taken off the Secret Cove area. Prawning was pretty good for those who made it out, especially because the commercial guys are gearing up to start May 1st. Lets get those emails with in with the catches as more information helps to increase everyones success on the water, especially with the high costs of fuel these days !

May is always a good time to get out and start fishing the spring salmon. We have fish bound for the Pacific Northwest, which make up a fair bit of our winter fish, and the schools of larger white springs moving south to spawn in our local river systems like the Squamish and the Fraser rivers are also migrating through our area. It will be spotty at times but for every bad day you should be rewarded with a good one. Weather will play a big part in your success or failure as the bite turns on when the weather is good, and turns off when the low pressure systems move in. Sometimes those cool clear mornings can shut them down only for them to light it up when the sun heats things up on the afternoon tide. All the areas of the Coast will have fish moving through, find the bait balls and stay close to them as you near the bite times, around the tide changes. Texada, Bargain Harbor, Epson Point, Reception Point, Trail Islands, Davis Bay, Camp Bing to Grower Point and all of Howe Sound will fish well this month.

It will be wise to keep a close eye on the Fishing Diary this time of year as the fish move south fishers will have success at Trail and two days later at Bing, Gower will be the next hot spot on the map. Green will be the hot color for lures, dark if the water is murky and lighten the green as the water clears, mix it up with black and white or a shade of blue, and remember all your glow lures glow green so you can’t go wrong with a glow blood/bones hootchie or the green/white glow coyote spoon. The

Sechelt Inlet has been know to fish well the month of May, the last few years when the outside water hot spots have cooled off, and the Inlet has been the go to spot. Tillicum Bay, Four Mile Point, Snake Bay are all short runs and very protected areas to fish, Nine Mile Point and up to Storm Bay and Narrows Inlet are a bit farther up but give up some great fish this time of year, hootchies are a must if your up the inlet. A few notes on the month that stick out; purple flashers, fish taken in water 60-80ft deep, BIG FISH, May gives up some big ones, look to the last week to be the time to make all your wishes come true.

Prawing should be good but the commercial fishers' are out, and it pays to stay out of their way. They only have a short season and we 'sportys' can fish all year. You will find the best prawning in from 300ft maybe as shallow as 240ft. Crab will be good any where between 20-140ft all depends on the day and they are out there you just got to fine the good depth. Good rule of thumb is if you find small ones move your trap out 20ft deeper until the big guys show up.

Clams - prior to harvesting clams always check to make sure you are not digging when there is a PSP Closure by checking out DFO's Fishery Notice on PSP levels at: DFO Red Tide Closures for area 16 or call (604) 666-2828.

To view DFO Management Area maps in order to ensure you know where the boundaries are for various areas or sub-areas that you are interested in fishing, check out their website at: Management Areas Pacific Region.

You won't get better fishing information for the Sunshine Coast.

We hope to see you soon!!!!

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