Halibut Fishing Around Vancouver Island

What You Need to Know About Fishing for Halibut

If you enjoy fishing, chances are you have dreamed about heading out onto the ocean to try your hand at Pacific Halibut fishing. The waters around Vancouver Island are home to halibut all year round, with abundance during the spring and summer months, making the area a great choice for halibut fishing in B.C.

Fishing for halibut requires a slightly different approach than for other fish species, but once you know the tricks, tips, and equipment required, you’ll be all set for a successful catch.

Where and When to Fish for Pacific Halibut

Pacific Halibut are the largest species of flatfish on the West Coast of Canada. They have a distinctive diamond shape with a white underbelly that makes them easily recognisable.

While the most commonly caught halibut tend to be in the 10 to 50 pound range, they can grow up to 400 pounds and 8 feet long – that would take some hauling in!

Pacific Halibut live mainly on the deep ocean floor, or on shelves at the edge of underwater plateaus. They are bottom feeders, so anglers must target these areas to be successful.

Good locations to fish for halibut around Vancouver Island include:

  • Victoria and the southern Juan de Fuca Strait
  • The entire West Coast, from Port Renfrew to Quatsino Sound, especially the Clayoquot Sound and Tofino area
  • The northern tip of the island from Cape Scott to Port Hardy

Pacific Halibut do not have a migratory cycle, which means they are around throughout the year; however, spring and summer are the best times to fish for them as the weather conditions and temperatures make for a more enjoyable experience.

What Equipment Do I Need for Halibut Fishing?

Where Pacific Halibut live and how they prefer to eat means anglers need some specific equipment. Follow this checklist to make sure you have all the right equipment to make your next halibut fishing trip in B.C. a successful one.

  • Rod and Reel: If you will be regularly fishing for halibut, invest in a halibut rod. These are 6 to 7 feet in length, strong, balanced and lightweight, enabling them to withstand the heavy weight and powerful pull of the halibut. A reel with a large handle will make the long reel-in easier and more comfortable.
  • Line: Because Pacific Halibut can live 200 to 300 feet underwater, a long and strong line such as an 800 foot long, 60 to 80 pound braided nylon, is essential.
  • Hooks and weights: A common halibut rig setup includes a large hook with a hoochie or other attractor, tied to one end of a spreader with strong line. A circular weight is attached to the other end of the spreader to ensure the bait stays on the ocean floor.
  • Bait: Halibut use sight and scent to find their food, so aim to create a strong scent trail with live bait. Fresh octopus, herring, crab or cod are good bait options that halibut are attracted to.
  • Halibut Spear: Not essential, but a spear will help to bring the halibut in at the surface of the water, before it is able to wriggle off the hook.

Consult your local fishing equipment expert for more information and advice on setting up your halibut fishing rig.

Tips and Tricks for Successful Halibut Fishing

Consider these additional tips and tricks to help you have a successful halibut fishing trip:

  • Check your marine charts and depth finder to locate plateaus where halibut are likely to be found.
  • Review catch limits and closure notices for the area you are fishing in. Current catch limits on the British Columbia coast for halibut are either one measuring 90 cm to 133 cm in length (head on), or two each measuring under 90 cm in length (head on).
  • To attract halibut to your bait, lift and drop the weight regularly to distribute the scent and send out seafloor vibrations.
  • Bright teasers or beads will attract halibut to your bait.

Caught a Halibut? Here’s a Tasty Recipe to Try.

Congratulations, your halibut fishing trip was a success and now you have a beautiful fresh fish to serve up for dinner. If you know how to fillet a halibut, you will be able to get the maximum meat from your fish and cook and eat it fresh, or flash freeze it for another day.

 

The quickest and simplest way to enjoy fresh halibut is pan-fried. This method is easy enough to do right in your yacht’s galley so you can enjoy your haul the same day you caught it.

Pan Seared Pacific Halibut with Lemon Butter Sauce

  • 4-6 Halibut fillets
  • 2tbsp Olive Oil
  • ½ cup butter
  • 1 lemon
  • Salt and pepper
  • Garlic (fresh or powdered), paprika, fresh herbs – optional and to taste

Method:

  1. Pat halibut fillets with paper towel to dry them off
  2. Season with salt and pepper and other seasonings of your choice
  3. Heat olive oil in a skillet, once hot lay halibut fillets in pan
  4. Allow filets to sear without moving or turning for 3-4 minutes (this prevents the fish from falling apart when you turn it)
  5. Flip fillets and cook for additional 2-3 minutes
  6. Remove fish from pan and keep warm
  7. Reduce the pan to medium heat. Add butter, allow to melt and cook until light brown
  8. Add juice of 1 lemon and simmer until liquid is reduced by half
  9. Serve halibut fillets drizzled with lemon butter sauce sprinkled with your choice of fresh herbs
  10. Serve with steamed veggies or a crisp salad

Prefer something different? Choose from this list of 10 quick and delicious halibut recipes.

Go Halibut Fishing in a New Yacht from Van Isle Marina

Van Isle Marina is ideally placed to be your base for a halibut fishing trip. Located in Sidney, B.C. on the southeastern corner of Vancouver Island, many halibut fishing grounds are within easy reach of our full-service marina for a single or multi-day trip.

Need a new yacht to access those halibut fishing hotspots? Our knowledgeable yacht sales team can find you the perfect vessel with room to pull in a big fish. Contact us today for more information.

Foghorns – A Historic Navigational Tool

How Foghorns are Used Today and the Signals you Need to Know

We all recognize the iconic sound of a foghorn, the deep resounding note that booms out through the mist to warn boaters of danger or other vessels in the water. But, did you know the foghorn is a Canadian invention?

Foghorns, or fog signals, were historically used on land, from a lighthouse or other building, to warn sailors away from dangers when visibility was poor. In more recent times, they have adapted into an on-board navigation tool, used internationally as a sounding device.

Although their design and purpose may have changed somewhat since they were first used, foghorns remain a vital piece of equipment, and all boaters should be familiar with the signals they may hear or need to use while on the water.

>> Read more: Boat Safety Checklist

The History of Foghorns – a Canadian Invention

Fog and poor visibility are arguably the biggest obstacles a sailor can face. Sound signals have been used for hundreds of years in an effort to prevent tragic outcomes. Originally, bells, gongs and even canons were used to get the point across. These had to be struck continuously by hand by a designated person.

The first automated foghorn was steam powered and was designed by Robert Foulis, a New Brunswick-based inventor. He was said to have realized the benefit of low-frequency sound when he heard his daughter practicing piano scales through the fog. 

Foulis’ design was for a horn which made noise when air was pushed through it using a steam-powered compressor. Another Canadian engineer, TT Vernon Smith installed the first-ever foghorn, from Foulis’ design, at Partridge Island, NB in 1859.

In the early 20th century, a compressed air version of the foghorn, the diaphone, was developed and that device was used in hundreds of lighthouses across the western and eastern coastlines of Canada until the 1970s when an electric-powered air horn replaced it.

These days, lighthouse foghorns are rare as the development of modern navigational tools, like onboard compressed air horns and GPS, has made them redundant. In British Columbia, lighthouse foghorns were shut down in the early 2000’s to save money, although there are a few remaining foghorns on the east coast.

Foghorns Today – an On-Board Navigational Tool

 

These days the foghorn sounds you hear coming through the haze are from vessels that are navigating through restricted visibility. It is a legal requirement for boats to carry sound signaling devices, to be used for both communication with

other vessels when underway and in poor visibility.

According to Transport Canada, any sail or powerboat under 12 meters must carry at least one sound signaling device from:

  • Compressed gas foghorn
  • Whistle 
  • Electric horn

Boats between 12m and 20m must have one of the above devices plus a fitted whistle, while those over 20m must also have a fitted bell.

Some yachts now come with built-in, electronically controlled horns. Large ships and cruise liners also have strict requirements and are

 identifiable as their foghorns are deeper and louder than a pleasure boat.

Sound Signaling – Foghorn Signals You Should Know

 

Imagine being at sail on the ocean and getting caught unexpectedly in thick fog. Ensuring you don’t collide with another vessel, run aground or drift into a shipping path will be of prime concern. 

You will need to make quick decisions about your course of action, begin making the required sound signals, as well as listening out for signals from other vessels.

Read our previous blog to find out more about safe boating in poor visibility and the steps you should take if you find yourself in a low visibility situation. 

Anyone who is in control of a boat should be familiar with the international standard for sound-signaling, not only to be able to make others aware of your own presence, but to understand the signals you hear.

In good visibility, foghorns, or electric horns should be used to notify your intention when passing another vessel.

When approaching head-on:

  • 1 short (1 second) horn blast = I will pass you on my PORT (left) side
  • 2 short horn blasts = I will pass you on my STARBOARD (right) side

When passing from behind

  • 1 short blast = I will pass on your STARBOARD
  • 2 short blasts = I will pass on your PORT

In clear conditions, sound signals should also be used to warn of the following:

  • 1 long (4-6 seconds) blast = I am leaving dock or departing slipShelter from Foggy Conditions at Van Isle Marina
  • 3 short blasts = I am operating in ASTERN (reverse) position
  • Combine 1 long and 3 short blasts to = I am backing out of dock
  • 5 short blasts = danger signal, use as a warning to others

In poor visibility, use the following guidance and signals:

  • Continue on your set course, reducing to a speed that will allow quick adjustments.
  • Turn on your running lights.
  • Allocate a passenger to be lookout.
  • Turn on GPS and radar to establish position and for early warning of landmasses, sandbanks and other vessels.
  • Start making the appropriate sound signals.

Sound signals repeated at 2-minute intervals will make other boats aware of your position and whether you are underway or stopped. Common signals for boats in poor visibility include use of foghorns and bells (each repeated every 2 minutes):

  • Under sail (wind power) = 1 long and 2 short blasts
  • Under motor (engine power) = 1 long blast
  • Underway but stopped = 2 long blasts
  • At anchor = ring bell rapidly for 5 seconds
  • Run aground = 3 bell strokes, 5 seconds of rapid bell ringing, 3 more bell strokes

Shelter from Foggy Conditions at Van Isle Marina

If the marine weather forecast is predicting low visibility, choose to stay safe and moor at Van Isle Marina. 

Located in Sidney, BC, our state-of-the-art marina is fully loaded with facilities such as a business centre, laundromat and shower facilities, so you can make the most of your day at the dock. Why not check out our on-site restaurant too?

Contact us today for more information about mooring with us.