4.9(8 Reviews)Full Day Salmon Fishing Charter Vancouver Island
4.9(8 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Top Rated
Full-day salmon trolling charter targeting Chinook and Coho offshoreExpert guide provides gear and techniques for all skill levelsSmall group experience with maximum three guests per trip
Captain Wayne Sarak knows these waters like the back of his hand, and when you step aboard his Full Melt Charters vessel, you're getting decades of local knowledge packed into one hell of a fishing day. Vancouver Island's offshore waters are legendary among salmon anglers, and for good reason – the combination of deep channels, nutrient-rich currents, and protected coastal areas creates the perfect storm for consistent salmon action. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to fill the freezer or a seasoned angler chasing that trophy Chinook, this full-day charter puts you right where the fish are feeding.
Your day starts early, but trust me, it's worth every minute of lost sleep. Wayne runs a tight ship – literally and figuratively. His vessel is perfectly rigged for salmon trolling, with all the downriggers, rod holders, and electronics you need for a productive day. The beauty of this charter is that it works for everyone. Got kids who've never held a fishing rod? Wayne's got the patience of a saint and knows how to get them hooked on their first fish. Bringing along your fishing buddy who thinks they know everything? Wayne will probably teach them a few new tricks too. The boat handles up to three guests, so you're not fighting for space or dealing with a crowded deck. It's your crew, your day, and your fish.
Salmon trolling isn't just dragging lures behind the boat and hoping for the best – there's real science and skill involved. Wayne sets up multiple downriggers at different depths, reading the sonar to find where the baitfish are stacked up. That's where the salmon will be. He's constantly adjusting speed, changing lures, and moving between his proven hot spots based on what the fish are telling him. The "knuckle buster" reels he uses might look intimidating at first, but once a big Chinook slams your gear, you'll understand why they're built like tanks. Don't worry about bringing tackle – everything's provided, from the heavy-duty rods down to the flashers and spoons that have been putting fish in the boat for years. Your job is simple: hang on tight when that rod tip goes down and listen to Wayne's coaching.
"Great trip out salmon fishing with Wayne at Full Melt Charters. He carefully explained everything at the beginning including how to manage the 'knuckle buster' reels when a big chinook hits. Which they did, often! We reached our limit of 4 in less than hour. Wayne had a good, calm attitude, even when things got a bit crazy. After the chinook limit was reached it was on to pinks, coho AND sockeye (very short surprise opening) and with some luck, we scored them all! Wayne definitely knew the right spots, what lures/bait to use and how to read the water. We even saw humpback whales as an added bonus. It was a great day of fishing and fun. Afterwards, Wayne skillfully and quickly filleted the salmon for us." - Howard
"My family and I had a great experience with Wayne. He did such a great job explaining everything and what to expect. Very professional, fun, and got us in lots of fish. The action was non-stop. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a great day of fishing, I can't wait to get back." - Caleb
"Fantastic day. Hooked 11, landed 10, kept 5, and will have lots of salmon to share with friends and family back home. Wayne and Victoria were great guides, knowledgeable, friendly, informative, and super helpful. We had so much fun. I'm gonna bring our kids back for a family outing." - Daniel
Chinook salmon are the kings of the Pacific for a reason. These bruisers can push 30 pounds or more in Vancouver Island waters, and when one hits your downrigger, you'll know it immediately. The rod doubles over, the reel screams, and your guide starts barking instructions about keeping the tip up and letting the fish run. Chinooks are most active during the summer months, typically feeding in 80 to 200 feet of water along the continental shelf. They're notorious for their powerful runs and head-shaking fights that can last 15 minutes or more. What makes them special isn't just the fight – the meat is absolutely premium, with that rich, deep red color that makes for perfect steaks on the grill. These fish are why serious anglers plan their entire vacations around Vancouver Island.
Coho salmon might be smaller than their Chinook cousins, but they make up for it with pure attitude. These silver rockets are acrobatic fighters that love to jump, twist, and generally make your life interesting once they're hooked. They typically range from 6 to 12 pounds in these waters, and they're often found in shallower water than Chinooks, sometimes right up near the surface. Late summer and early fall are prime time for Coho, when they're feeding heavily before their spawning runs. What anglers love about Coho is their willingness to hit lures – they're aggressive, curious, and when they're on the bite, you can have multiple hookups going at once. The meat is excellent too, with a slightly milder flavor than Chinook that's perfect for smoking or grilling.
Vancouver Island's salmon fishing is world-class, but the best guides book up fast, especially during peak season. Wayne's reputation speaks for itself – anglers are already planning return trips before they've even finished cleaning their catch. With only three spots per charter, you're getting personal attention and prime fishing that larger boats simply can't match. Remember to grab your BC tidal waters license before you head out, and don't forget to bring a coo
Step aboard this beautifully restored 1991 Grady-White cabin cruiser for your salmon fishing adventure off Vancouver Island. This 23-footer combines classic fishing boat reliability with modern comfort, featuring a cozy cuddy cabin that keeps you dry between fishing spots. The powerful Yamaha 300HP engine gets you to the salmon grounds quickly, cruising at speeds up to 40 knots to maximize your time on the water. The boat comes fully rigged for serious salmon trolling with an advanced fish finder to locate schools and GPS navigation to hit the productive fishing zones. When weather turns, the radar system keeps you safe in low visibility. Between fishing runs, relax in the comfortable cabin with multimedia entertainment, or grab cold drinks from the icebox. The onboard facilities include a bed for longer trips and a marine toilet for convenience. Perfect for targeting Chinook and Coho salmon in the rich offshore waters around Vancouver Island, this well-equipped vessel handles ocean swells smoothly while providing a stable platform for fighting those big salmon. Whether you're trolling the depths or working the tide lines, this Grady-White delivers the performance and comfort serious anglers expect.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaThe kings of the salmon world, Chinooks are what most anglers dream about when they book a trip. These bruisers typically run 15-30 pounds around Vancouver Island, with the occasional monster pushing 40+ pounds. You'll find them in 80-200 feet of water, hugging the bottom where they feel secure. They're light-sensitive, so early morning and late evening produce the best action. What makes them special? Pure power - once hooked, they'll make long, deep runs that'll test your drag and your patience. The meat is rich and buttery, perfect for the BBQ. My go-to trick: when trolling, add a small flasher about 18 inches ahead of your spoon. The extra flash gets their attention in our deeper waters.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCohos are the acrobats of the salmon family - these silver bullets will jump clean out of the water once hooked, putting on a show that never gets old. Running 8-15 pounds on average, they're smaller than Chinooks but make up for it with pure attitude. We typically find them in 40-120 feet, often suspended mid-column chasing baitfish. Summer through early fall is prime time when they're actively feeding in our coastal waters. What guests love most is their aggressive strikes and aerial displays - they'll cartwheel across the surface like they're auditioning for a circus. The bright orange meat is top-shelf eating too. Pro tip: when you see one jump, immediately drop your rod tip and give it slack, or that hook will come flying back at you.
4.9 out of 5.0Chris was a great captain. He was patient with our boys (8&5) and everyone had giant smiles when they returned! Ended up catching ...
What a great time my son and I had with Captain Wayne . His boat was perfectly fit for the fishing and we had a lot of fun . Thank...
Chris and Wayne made for a great experience.
Fantastic day. Hooked 11, landed 10, kept 5, and will have lots of salmon to share with friends and family back home. Wayne and Vi...
My family and I had a great experience with Wayne. He did such a great job explaining everything and what to expect. Very professi...
Great trip out salmon fishing with Wayne at Full Melt Charters. He carefully explained everything at the beginning including how t...
Had a great trip and picked up some good tips and techniques using downriggers.
Had a great morning with Wayne. My son and 2 grandsons had wonderful time. The 5 beautiful crab we added to our catch was the perf...
Vancouver Island