5.0(4 Reviews)Extended Full Day Fishing Trip - Ucluelet
5.0(4 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
10-hour offshore fishing trip targeting salmon and halibutHeated cabin with comfortable seating and spacious deck areaProfessional captain guides groups up to 6 guests
When you're serious about fishing and want to make the most of Ucluelet's legendary waters, Captain Curtis and the Overtime Charters crew have exactly what you're looking for. This 10-hour extended charter gives you the time and space to really work the productive fishing grounds that put this stretch of Vancouver Island on every angler's bucket list. You're not rushed, you're not cramped, and you've got a captain who's been pulling fish out of these waters for years.
Picture this: you and up to five buddies stepping aboard a custom-built vessel that's designed for serious fishing, not just sightseeing. The heated cabin means you can warm up between fishing sessions, and there's plenty of room on deck when the action heats up. Captain Curtis knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's not just going through the motions – he's actively working to put you on fish all day long. The extended 10-hour format means you can hit multiple fishing spots, from the salmon runs closer to shore to the deeper halibut grounds offshore. You'll have time to try different techniques, move locations if one spot isn't producing, and really maximize your chances of filling the cooler. The boat launches from Island West marina, putting you right in the heart of Ucluelet's fishing scene.
This isn't a one-trick pony operation. Depending on what's biting and where the fish are holding, you'll likely start with trolling for salmon using downriggers and proven local lures. Curtis provides all the gear you need, from the rods and reels to the tackle that actually works in these waters. When it's time to target halibut and lingcod, you'll switch to bottom fishing with heavy weights and circle hooks, dropping baits down to where the big flatfish are waiting. The boat carries everything from squid jigs for bait fishing to the heavy tackle needed for Pacific halibut that can easily hit the 20-30 pound range. Don't worry if you're new to any of these techniques – Curtis makes sure everyone on board knows how to work the gear effectively.
"We started from Island West marina in Ucluelet on Capt. Curtis's Overtime charter. The boat is strong, sturdy and feels very safe. The cabin is very warm and dry if it happens to rain. Curtis is a knowledgeable captain who told me he has fished these waters for years. We had our two children aboard. Curtis immediately got them involved by teaching them to catch squid by themselves. Big bonus, they also caught salmon on the same poles they used fishing for squid. We got limits of Salmon and also went halibut fishing. We anchored up and had some lunch. Not much of a wait and we had fish on! We got four nice halibut and a surprise ling cod. We processed 165 pounds of fish for one day of fishing! Curtis said it's not always this good but judging from the boats around us, we were catching while they were fishing. It pays to go with experience. Bravo to Overtime Charters! Kid friendly family fun with a knowledgeable seasoned captain! No regrets. He really works hard to make it as enjoyable, safe and successful as possible. Great job!" - Samuel
"We had a great time with Curtis! He was friendly, funny and was focused on giving us a great experience. There was not a lot of fish being caught on the day we went out so he amazingly offered to take us out again the next day. We got to catch quite a bit more the next day. You can tell that he loves what he is doing and is having fun and it shows. Great experience. He also knows the waters and is persistent in finding the right area so that his customers can catch fish!" - Nathan
"Curtis put us on the fish quickly. We enjoyed the spacious boat and good equipment. He kept us engaged with lively conversation and a good time was had by all. Great experience for sure" - Allen
Chinook Salmon are the kings of these waters, and for good reason. These chrome-bright powerhouses can easily hit 20-30 pounds in Ucluelet's offshore waters, with fish over 40 pounds caught regularly during peak season from July through September. When a big spring salmon hits your gear, you'll know it instantly – they make blistering runs and jump clear out of the water. The fight alone is worth the trip, but the table fare is what keeps people coming back year after year.
Coho Salmon bring a different kind of excitement to your fishing day. These acrobatic fighters are smaller than Chinooks but pound-for-pound they're some of the most fun fish you'll ever hook. They love to jump, and they'll test your drag system with repeated runs toward the surface. Peak coho action typically runs from August through October, and they're often caught in shallower water where you can really watch the battle unfold.
Pacific Halibut are the barn doors of the Pacific Northwest, and Ucluelet's deep waters hold some real monsters. These flatfish can range from "chicken" halibut in the 10-15 pound range all the way up to genuine giants pushing 100+ pounds. The bigger fish are typically found in deeper water, and they fight completely differently than salmon – it's a slow, powerful battle that will test your back muscles. Halibut fishing is productive year-round, but summer months offer the best combination of weather and fish activity.
Lingcod might be the ugliest fish in these waters, but they're also some of the most aggressive predators you'll encounter. These ambush hunters will hit almost any bait or lure that gets near their rocky hiding spots, and they fight with surprising strength for a bottom fish. Lingcod season runs from mid-March through mid-June and again from mid-July through December,
The Overtime is your ticket to serious fishing off Ucluelet's coast. This 32-foot custom Northwest Aluminum Craft from 2018 cuts through Pacific swells with twin 300 HP Suzuki outboards, plus a reliable 30 HP kicker for trolling those productive salmon runs. The 10'6" beam gives you and up to 5 other anglers plenty of room to work the rails without tangling lines. When the fog rolls in or you're navigating back after dark, the radar and GPS keep you on course. The fish finder helps locate those deep halibut holes and baitfish schools. Between fishing sessions, grab a cold drink from the fridge or icebox, use the onboard toilet, or catch a quick rest on the bed. The kitchen lets you fuel up during the long day on the water. Built tough for offshore conditions, she's equipped to handle whatever the Pacific throws at you during those extended 10-hour trips chasing salmon and halibut in Ucluelet's productive fishing grounds.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook are the kings of our waters for good reason - these bruisers regularly hit 15-30 pounds and fight like freight trains. They're built heavy and thick, with that classic silver body and black gums that give them away. Unlike other salmon, kings stay deep and prefer the darker depths, making them a true challenge. You'll find them anywhere from 80-300 feet, following bait schools along our underwater shelves. Summer through early fall is prime time when they're feeding hard before spawning. What sets chinook apart is that sustained, powerful run - no jumping, just pure strength pulling drag. The meat is rich and buttery, perfect for smoking. Key tip: kings are light-sensitive, so fish early morning or use flashers and darker lures in bright conditions. They hit hard but subtle - watch your rod tips carefully.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, or silvers as we call them, are absolute acrobats that'll jump up to 6 feet when hooked. These bright fighters typically run 8-12 pounds and have that distinctive silver body with black-spotted tails. You'll find them in our deeper waters during summer and fall, especially around bait schools. What makes coho special is their aggressive strikes and relentless fight - they're pure energy on the line. The meat is top-notch too, with that bright orange-red flesh that's perfect for the grill. Best fishing happens early morning or evening when they're actively feeding near the surface. Pro tip: when trolling, vary your speed every few minutes - coho love a lure that changes pace and often hit right after you speed up or slow down.
Ophiodon ElongatusLingcod are the bulldogs of our rocky reefs - ugly as sin but built for battle. Despite the name, they're actually giant greenlings with massive heads, wicked teeth, and attitudes to match. Most run 10-20 pounds, but the big females can push 40+. You'll find them lurking in rocky structure from 50-200 feet, perfectly camouflaged and waiting to ambush anything that swims by. They're aggressive predators that'll nail just about any bait or lure you drop down. What guests love is the hard initial strike and bulldogging fight - plus they're fantastic eating. Best fishing is year-round, but spring through fall gives you the most active fish. My go-to trick: bounce a heavy jig right off the bottom near rocky structure. Lingcod can't resist something stirring up the sediment.
Hippoglossus StenolepisPacific halibut are the barn doors of our deep waters - massive flatfish that can stretch over 100 pounds and fight like submarines. These diamond-shaped bottom dwellers live on sandy and muddy flats from 80-400 feet, perfectly camouflaged and waiting for dinner to swim by. Summer months are prime time when they move into shallower feeding areas and get more aggressive. What hooks guests is the initial shock - that slow, heavy pull that suddenly turns into a freight train heading for the bottom. The meat is legendary - pure white fillets that taste like butter. Best part? Even a 20-pounder feeds a crowd. My trick for consistent halibut: use a 1-2 pound weight to get down fast, then lift and drop your bait every few minutes. They love movement, and that bouncing action triggers strikes from fish that might otherwise ignore a static bait.
5.0 out of 5.0We started from Island West marina in Ucluelet on Capt. Curtis’s Overtime charter. The boat is strong, sturdy and feels very safe....
We had a great time with Curtis! He was friendly, funny and was focused on giving us a great experience. There was not a lot of fi...
Curtis put us on the fish quickly. We enjoyed the spacious boat and good equipment. He kept us engaged with lively conversation an...
A friend recommended me to Curtis, “if you are going on a charter, you might as well go with one of the best” and that’s what you ...
Ucluelet