5.0(1 Reviews)6 Hour Salmon Fishing Charter in Sooke
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
6hour offshore salmon fishing adventure departing at 6:00 AMAll tackle and equipment provided for hasslefree experienceKids 12 and under fish free on small group charters
Ready to get your lines in the water at first light? This top-rated 6-hour salmon charter out of Sooke starts at 6:00 AM sharp and has you back at the dock by noon with coolers full of fish. We're talking about hitting the prime feeding hours when the salmon are most active, and trust me, that early start pays off big time. The crew at Fijian Son Fishing Charter knows these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish from the get-go. Perfect for families too – kids 12 and under fish for free, which makes this one of the best deals on Vancouver Island.
You'll be fishing the productive waters off Sooke, where the Pacific meets some of the richest salmon runs on the West Coast. The boat comes fully rigged with downriggers, quality rods and reels, and all the tackle you'll need – no need to haul your own gear unless you want to. Your captain will read the fish finder and adjust depths based on what the salmon are doing that day. We're usually working depths between 40 and 120 feet, depending on the tide and bait movement. The beauty of this charter is the variety – one minute you might be battling a screaming Chinook, the next you could be into a school of feisty Coho. Bring your fishing licenses (mandatory), pack some snacks and drinks, and dress in layers because mornings on the water can be chilly even in summer.
This is classic Pacific Northwest trolling at its finest. We're running multiple lines with downriggers to get your bait down to where the salmon are cruising. The boat's equipped with automatic downriggers that make it easy for anyone to operate – even if you've never used them before. You'll be pulling everything from spoons and flasher-hoochie combos to herring in teaser heads, depending on what's working that day. The electronics on board include quality fish finders and GPS to mark productive spots and track bait schools. When a rod goes off, you'll know it – these downrigger releases create that distinctive "pop" that gets every angler's heart racing. The crew handles all the rigging and re-baiting, so you can focus on fighting fish instead of retying leaders.
"What an awesome trip. We started the day meeting a great guy and by the end of the charter we had made a new friend, that we plan on calling on each time were in Vancouver. His knowledge of the area put us on fish immediately and his electronics honed in on the proper depth. To enhance the experience, we were able to use all the gear as if it was our own and the automatic retrieving down riggers were a joy operate. One of the highlights of the charter was the fresh crab boil on board the boat. After the charter, Will hauled the crab traps we dropped that morning and then fired up the boil pot and we had the freshest, sweetest Dungeness crab I have ever tasted. I would highly recommend this charter and can guarantee you will get your money's worth." - Glen
Coho Salmon are the acrobats of the salmon world, and Sooke waters hold some beautiful silvers. These fish typically run 6 to 12 pounds and are famous for their aerial displays once hooked. Coho love structure and will often be found near kelp beds and rocky drop-offs. They're aggressive feeders and will hit spoons, hoochies, and bait with equal enthusiasm. Summer and early fall are prime time for Coho, when they're bright chrome and full of fight. What makes them special is their unpredictability – they might stay deep one day and be surface feeding the next.
Chinook Salmon are the kings for good reason. These monsters can push 30 pounds or more in Sooke waters, with fish in the 15 to 25 pound range being common during peak season. Spring through early summer offers the best Chinook action, though you can find them year-round. They're deep fighters that use their weight and power rather than jumping like Coho. Chinooks prefer larger baits and lures, and they often hold in deeper water along migration routes. Landing a big Chinook is a bucket-list experience that'll have you coming back for more.
Pacific Jack Mackerel might surprise you with their speed and numbers. These smaller fish are fantastic for kids and beginners because they're aggressive and plentiful when they show up. They typically run 1 to 3 pounds but make up for size with sheer energy. Mackerel often travel in schools, so when you find one, you'll usually find more. They're excellent table fare and perfect for smoking or grilling whole.
Pacific Halibut are the bottom-dwelling giants that can turn any fishing trip into an adventure. Sooke's rocky reefs and sandy flats hold halibut from "chicken" size (under 10 pounds) up to barn doors exceeding 100 pounds. These flatfish are ambush predators that lie camouflaged on the bottom waiting for bait to drift by. When you hook into a big halibut, it's like being connected to a submarine – they use their flat profile to plane in the current, creating incredible resistance.
Pacific Cod are the workhorses of the bottom fishing scene around Sooke. These fish typically range from 3 to 15 pounds and are found over rocky structure in 60 to 200 feet of water. Cod are excellent eating with firm white meat that's perfect for fish and chips or grilling. They're not spectacular fighters, but they're reliable and often save the day when salmon fishing is slow. Cod will hit almost any bait, making them perfect targets for novice anglers.
Our 21-foot Seaswirl Cuddy Cabin is your ticket to some serious salmon action off the Sooke waters. This 2009 beauty packs a 200HP Mercury that'll get you to the hot fishing spots fast, cruising at 25 knots when the salmon are running. Built for comfort and fish-finding, she's loaded with everything you need – GPS to navigate the Pacific waters, radar for those foggy mornings, and a fish finder to locate where the chinook are hiding. The icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during those long battles with big fish. VHF radio keeps you connected, while the cuddy cabin offers shelter when the wind picks up. With room for 3 anglers, there's plenty of space to work the rods without getting tangled up. The onboard head means no rushing back to shore, so you can stay out where the action is. Perfect for targeting salmon in the rich waters around Sooke, this boat handles the swells like a champ and gets you back to the dock with a cooler full of fish.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the giants we're after - these bruisers can hit 20-30 pounds in our waters, with some reaching 40+ pounds. They're light-sensitive, so they hang deep during the day, typically 100-250 feet down in the cooler water columns. Early morning and evening are prime time, which is why we start at 6 AM. These fish are serious fighters with incredible stamina, and their rich, red meat is restaurant quality. Unlike coho, kings don't jump much - they just pull hard and steady, testing your drag. Summer months give us the most consistent action as they move through our feeding areas. Here's a local trick: when trolling, vary your speed every few minutes. Kings often hit when the lure changes pace, mimicking injured baitfish.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, or "silvers" as we call them, are what make our early morning trips worth it. These acrobatic fighters average 8-12 pounds and put on a show once hooked - they'll jump clean out of the water up to 6 feet high. You'll find them in the deeper waters off Sooke, usually 60-150 feet down, feeding on herring and small baitfish. Summer through early fall gives us the best action when they're actively feeding before their spawning run. What guests love most is the combination of their incredible fight and that bright orange meat that tastes amazing on the grill. Pro tip from years out here: when you see them following your gear to the surface, slow your retrieve - that's when they usually strike.
Gadus MacrocephalusPacific cod are the workhorses of bottom fishing - reliable, plentiful, and surprisingly strong for their size. Most run 5-15 pounds, though 20+ pounders show up regularly. They hang out in 60-200 feet of water over rocky bottom and structure. While not flashy fighters, they're steady pullers that can bend a rod, and the white, flaky meat is perfect for fish and chips. Spring through fall gives consistent action, and they're often a nice bonus catch while targeting salmon. These fish are opportunistic feeders - they'll hit almost anything that sinks to their level. Here's what works: when bottom fishing for cod, give your bait some action every few minutes. A quick lift and drop triggers their feeding instinct better than dead bait sitting still.
Hippoglossus StenolepisPacific halibut are the barn doors of our waters - these flatfish can reach 100+ pounds, though most range 20-40 pounds. They live on sandy or muddy bottoms in 80-300 feet of water, lying in wait to ambush prey. Summer gives us the best halibut fishing when they move into shallower feeding areas. What makes them special is the challenge - they're strong, stubborn fighters that test your gear, plus the meat is some of the finest eating you'll find. These fish are patient hunters, so you need to be too. They'll often grab your bait and just sit there before making their move. Local secret: bounce your weight off the bottom every few minutes. That cloud of sand mimics a feeding fish and often triggers strikes from halibut lying nearby.
Trachurus SymmetricusPacific jack mackerel might not be your main target, but they're scrappy fighters that show up in good numbers during summer months. These schooling fish average 18-22 inches and have that metallic blue-green back that flashes when they're feeding. You'll typically find them in 30-100 feet of water around bait schools, especially July through September. They hit hard and fast on light tackle, making them great fun for kids and anyone wanting steady action. The meat is actually quite good - similar omega-3 levels to salmon when fresh. They also make excellent live bait for bigger species. Quick tip: when you hook one, keep your line in the water - where there's one jack mackerel, there's usually a whole school nearby ready to bite.
5.0 out of 5.0What an awesome trip. We started the day meeting a great guy and by the end of the charter we had made a new friend, that we plan...
Sooke