Half Day Multi-Species Charter in Nanaimo, BC
Private Trip
Halfday charter targeting salmon, lingcod, crab and prawnsDeparts from Nanaimo exploring productive Strait of Georgia watersSmall group experience with maximum three guests aboard
Picture this: you're out on the Strait of Georgia at first light, lines in the water, with three different species already marked on your target list before most folks have had their morning coffee. That's exactly what you get with GA WestCoast Charters' morning multi-species trip out of Nanaimo. We're talking salmon, lingcod, rockfish, plus the bonus of pulling crab traps and prawn traps—all in one action-packed half day that'll have your cooler full and your phone loaded with fish photos.
Your day kicks off at Brechin Boat Ramp, right next to the Departure Bay ferry terminal—super easy to find and park. Captain fires up the engines and we're heading into some of the most productive waters on Vancouver Island's east coast. The Strait of Georgia around Nanaimo isn't just pretty to look at; it's a genuine fish highway where salmon migrate, lingcod patrol the rocky bottom, and prawns cluster in deeper channels. With just three anglers max, you're getting the kind of personalized attention that makes all the difference between coming home with stories and coming home with dinner. The boat's rigged for everything we might encounter, so whether we're marking bait balls on the sonar or setting up over a rocky reef, you're covered.
This isn't a one-trick pony trip—we're switching up techniques throughout the morning to maximize your chances. Start with trolling setups for salmon, running spoons and flasher-hoochie combos at different depths until we find where they're holding. When we locate lingcod structure, we're dropping jigs and live bait rigs right to the bottom, working those rocky ledges where the big ones like to ambush prey. The prawn and crab gear gets deployed in designated spots—usually deeper water for prawns and sandy-rocky bottom for Dungeness crab. Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, so he's constantly reading conditions, adjusting depths, and moving spots based on what's working. All tackle and bait provided, but if you've got a lucky rod or favorite jig, definitely bring it along.
Chinook Salmon are the kings of these waters for good reason—they're powerful, smart, and absolutely delicious on the dinner table. Spring through fall, these silver bullets cruise the Strait feeding on herring and needlefish. When you hook into a mature Chinook, especially one in the 15-20 pound range, you'll know it immediately. They run hard, dive deep, and test your drag system. The fight alone is worth the trip, but the thick, rich meat makes them every angler's favorite target species around Nanaimo.
Coho Salmon bring the acrobatics to your fishing day—these guys jump, tail-walk, and put on a show that'll get everyone on the boat excited. They're aggressive feeders, especially in late summer and early fall, and they'll absolutely hammer a well-presented spoon or hoochie. Coho typically run smaller than Chinook but make up for it with pure energy and excellent table fare. They're also more likely to be near the surface, which means faster action and more visual strikes.
Lingcod are the prehistoric bruisers lurking on rocky bottom around Nanaimo's underwater terrain. These toothy predators can stretch over three feet long and provide some serious arm-burning fights when you're pulling them up from 150+ feet of water. They're ambush feeders, so once your jig hits their strike zone, the bite is usually aggressive and unmistakable. Plus, lingcod meat is firm, white, and perfect for fish tacos or the BBQ grill.
Tiger Rockfish are the colorful characters of the bottom-fishing world, with distinctive red and yellow striping that makes them instantly recognizable. They school up around rocky reefs and underwater pinnacles, often in the same areas where we target lingcod. While they're smaller than lingcod, they make up for it in numbers—when you find a school, you can often catch several before they wise up and move off.
Copper Rockfish round out the rockfish family with their distinctive copper-orange coloration and spiny fins. They prefer deeper rocky areas and tend to bite throughout the day, making them reliable backup targets when salmon fishing slows down. They're excellent eating and fun to catch, with a solid fight for their size class.
Here's the bottom line: this half-day multi-species charter packs more fishing variety into four hours than most single-species trips offer all day long. You're getting salmon trolling, bottom fishing, crabbing, and prawning all rolled into one top-rated Nanaimo fishing experience. The small group size means personalized instruction, better fish-fighting opportunities, and more room to work. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to explore new Strait of Georgia hotspots or someone who wants to maximize species variety in limited time, this morning charter delivers the goods. Book your spot with GA WestCoast Charters and get ready to fill that cooler with the best the Strait of Georgia has to offer.
This freshly restored 21' Bayliner walkaround puts you right in the action for Nanaimo's legendary multi-species fishing. The reliable 150HP Suzuki gets you to the prime spots in the Strait of Georgia quickly, while the GPS and fish finder help locate where the salmon, lingcod, and rockfish are holding. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working structure or setting crab traps. Built for serious fishing with space for three anglers, this boat handles both the trolling runs for Chinook and Coho salmon and the bottom fishing drops for lingcod. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during those longer prawning sessions. When nature calls, there's a head onboard so you don't miss prime fishing time. The walkaround design gives everyone room to move and fight fish without getting tangled up. Whether you're bouncing bottom for rockfish or pulling crab traps, this setup delivers the stability and features you need for productive fishing in BC waters.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook are the kings for good reason - these powerful salmon can exceed 30 pounds in our local waters and provide some of the strongest fights you'll experience. They're deep feeders, typically found 60-150 feet down following baitfish schools throughout the Strait of Georgia. Spring through early fall offers the best action, with summer being prime time for the bigger fish. What sets them apart is their incredible strength and the rich, firm meat that's prized by restaurants and home cooks alike. Since they're light-sensitive, they stay deeper during the day, making downriggers essential for consistent success. Local trick: use whole herring or large spoons and fish them slow - Chinook prefer a steady, deliberate presentation over flashy, fast-moving lures.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho are the acrobats of the salmon world - these silver rockets will jump clear out of the water and put on quite a show. Most run 8-12 pounds in our waters, with their bright silver sides and dark backs making them easy to identify. During summer and early fall, they cruise the upper water column feeding on baitfish, making them perfect for trolling with spoons or plugs. What guests love most is the combination of aerial displays and strong runs, plus the orange-pink meat is outstanding on the table. They're sensitive to light, so early morning and evening fishing tends to be most productive. Pro tip: when trolling, keep your lures 20-40 feet down and vary your speed - Coho often hit when you change up the presentation.
Sebastes CaurinusCopper Rockfish are perfect for beginners and seasoned anglers alike - they're not shy about taking bait and put up a decent scrap. These copper-colored beauties average around 13 inches but can reach over 20, and they're surprisingly long-lived at up to 50 years. You'll find them in 50-200 feet of water around rocky structure and kelp beds where they blend in perfectly with their surroundings. They're active year-round, but late fall through early spring during spawning season tends to be most productive. The meat is excellent eating, which makes them popular with families. My go-to technique is dropping rubber tail jigs or bait right to the bottom, then working it up and down a few feet - they usually can't resist that action.
Ophiodon ElongatusLingcod are the monsters of the bottom - these toothy predators can reach 20+ pounds and have the attitude to match. Despite the name, they're actually greenlings that spend their time in 50-200 feet of water around rocky reefs and kelp beds. Their mottled green-brown coloring helps them ambush everything from rockfish to octopus. What makes them exciting is their aggressive nature - they'll often follow your lure right to the boat and strike at the last second. The white, flaky meat is some of the best eating you'll find. They're catchable year-round, but spring through fall is prime time. Here's the key: use heavy jigs and work them right on the bottom - Lingcod are lazy and won't chase far, but they can't resist something bouncing near their lair.
Sebastes NigrocinctusTiger Rockfish are one of the more uncommon catches around here, but when you hook into one it's memorable. These pink and black-striped beauties typically run 14-18 inches and can live over a century - the oldest recorded was 166 years old. They're deep dwellers, usually hanging out 100-300 feet down in rocky crevices where they ambush crabs and small fish. Their aggressive nature means they'll put up a solid fight once hooked, but watch those dorsal spines when handling them. Since they're solitary and territorial, your best shot is jigging near rocky bottom structure. Here's a local tip: work your jig with sharp vertical motions to mimic a fleeing crab - that usually triggers their predatory instincts and gets them to strike.
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