5.0(2 Reviews)Seasonal Half-Day Fishing Charters in Ucluelet BC
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Shore Fishing
Halfday salmon fishing charter explores Ucluelet's coastal watersExpert captain provides gear and guides to prime fishing spotsShorebased trip accommodates up to 6 guests with fish cleaning included
Get ready to experience some of the best salmon fishing on Canada's west coast. Our seasonal half-day trips put you right in the heart of Ucluelet's legendary fishing grounds, where the Pacific serves up everything from chrome-bright coho to monster chinook. Captain Curtis knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's got one mission – making sure you head home with coolers full of fish and stories worth telling. We're talking about prime BC coastal fishing here, the kind that keeps anglers coming back year after year.
You'll be fishing aboard the fully-equipped Overtime, a top-rated charter boat that handles up to 6 anglers comfortably. We launch from Ucluelet's harbor and head straight to where the fish are biting – no wasted time cruising around hoping for the best. This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip where you drop a line and pray. Curtis positions the boat over productive structure, reads the sonar, and adjusts tactics based on what's working that day. The boat comes loaded with quality rods, reels, and a tackle box full of proven lures that these BC salmon can't resist. Plus, Curtis handles all the fish cleaning, so you can focus on fighting fish instead of worrying about the messy work afterward. Just remember to grab your fishing license beforehand and factor in the 5% GST – everything else is covered.
We fish these waters using proven trolling techniques that match the season and species we're targeting. Depending on conditions, we'll pull everything from spoons and hoochies to herring behind dodgers at various depths. The gear setup changes based on what Curtis is seeing on the fish finder and where the bait balls are showing up. Some days we're running downriggers deep for chinook holding in 80 feet of water, other times we're fishing the top 20 feet for aggressive coho. The rocky reefs and underwater structure around Ucluelet create perfect ambush points for lingcod and rockfish, so we'll often switch up tactics and drop jigs when we mark fish hugging the bottom. Curtis reads the water conditions, tide changes, and fish behavior better than most, which is why his clients consistently boat fish when other boats are struggling.
"We had a great time. We didn't just get big fish, we also got to know Curtis as a human being. I have been on charters where the captains just want to take you around and hopefully you get fish. Curtis made sure it was his mission for us to come home full. I recommend his Charter and would go again when I have the chance." - Stewie
"Truly Curtis is the best charter we have ever been on! Overtime was fully equipped and comfortable. Curtis was very timely and professional. We enjoyed sharing stories, jokes, and his coaching. We had a very successful fishing trip and would highly recommend Overtime Charters. We are "Hooked" and are looking at the calendar for next years trip!! Thanks Curtis! Stay safe out there!" - Victor
Coho salmon are the acrobats of the Pacific, and when you hook one, you'll know it immediately. These silver bullets average 6-12 pounds and fight like fish twice their size, jumping clear out of the water and making screaming runs that'll test your drag settings. The best coho fishing around Ucluelet typically fires up from July through September when they're staging before their spawning runs. What makes coho special is their aggressive nature – they'll smash lures with attitude and give you a fight that gets your heart pumping. Plus, they're phenomenal table fare with firm, flaky meat that's perfect for the grill.
Chinook salmon are the kings of these waters for good reason. We're talking about fish that can push 30 pounds or more, with the occasional monster hitting 40-plus. These bruisers prefer deeper water and put up a completely different fight than coho – less jumping, more bulldogging power that'll make your arms burn. Peak chinook season runs from May through early fall, with the biggest fish often showing up during summer months. Landing a trophy chinook is a bucket-list experience, and the rich, oily meat is what salmon dreams are made of.
Canary rockfish bring the color to your fish box with their bright orange and yellow hues. These bottom dwellers hang around rocky structure in 100-300 feet of water and can live for decades, with some specimens reaching impressive sizes. They're not the hardest fighters, but they're consistent biters when you find them, and they make excellent eating. Canary rockfish are available year-round, though fishing for them is regulated with specific seasons and quotas to protect the population.
Lingcod are the monsters of the reef, with their massive mouths full of sharp teeth and prehistoric looks that'll give you pause when you see one surface. These ambush predators can exceed 30 pounds and fight like they're trying to drag your boat underwater. They're available year-round but are most active during cooler months when they move into shallower water to spawn. Lingcod have sweet, white meat similar to halibut, making them a favorite among anglers who appreciate both the fight and the feast.
Ucluelet's fishing scene is world-class, and spots on quality boats like Overtime fill up fast during peak season. Curtis has built his reputation one satisfied angler at a time, and his repeat customer rate speaks volumes about the experience you'll have. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to add some BC salmon to your list or a first-timer who wants to learn from one of the best, this half-day trip delivers the goods. The combination of productive waters, quality equipment, expert guidance, and fish cleaning service makes this a customer favorite for good reason.
Step aboard the Overtime, a beautifully crafted 2018 32' Northwest Aluminum vessel that's built tough for BC's coastal waters. This fishing machine packs twin 300 HP Suzuki outboards plus a quiet 30 HP kicker for trolling those perfect salmon runs around Ucluelet. With her roomy 10'6" beam, up to 6 anglers can fish comfortably without bumping elbows. The captain has loaded her with serious fish-finding gear including GPS, radar, and sonar to locate the best salmon haunts along the coast. When you need a break from the action, grab a cold drink from the fridge or icebox. The onboard kitchen lets you fuel up between fishing spots, and there's even a bed and head for longer adventures on the water. The Overtime handles Clayoquot Sound's swells like a champ, getting you to productive fishing grounds quickly and safely while you focus on landing that prize chinook or coho.
Sebastes PinnigerCanary rockfish are the bright yellow gems of our rocky reefs. These beauties average 20-23 inches and can live an amazing 75 years, so you might catch a fish older than your grandfather. They school up over rocky bottoms in 100-300 feet, making them perfect targets on our deeper water runs. What guests love is how readily they take bait - when you find a school, the action can be non-stop. The white, flaky meat is excellent eating too. These fish stay near structure, so we'll drop jigs or bait right along the rocky ledges where they hang out. Pro tip: use a descending device if releasing them - the pressure change from deep water can hurt their survival, so getting them back down quickly makes all the difference.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon are the kings of our waters - literally. These bruisers are the largest Pacific salmon, commonly running 15-30 pounds with some real giants pushing 40+. They prefer deeper water and stay near the bottom during daylight, making downriggers and weighted lines essential. The rich, red meat is top-shelf eating. What sets chinook apart is their incredible strength and endurance - they'll make long, powerful runs that test your tackle and patience. Peak season runs from May through September, with early morning and evening bites being most productive. They're more particular than coho, preferring slower presentations. Local secret: when trolling herring, add just a touch of scent and keep your speed around 2-3 knots. Chinook take their time to commit, so patience pays off with these magnificent fish.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, or "silvers," are pure adrenaline on a rod. These acrobatic fighters typically run 8-12 pounds and love to jump when hooked - sometimes clearing 6 feet of water. You'll find them cruising near the surface in our coastal waters, especially around creek mouths and kelp beds during their summer runs. The meat is bright orange and tastes amazing. Coho are less light-sensitive than chinook, so they'll hit lures throughout the day. What makes them special is their aggressive nature - they'll chase down a well-presented spoon or plug with serious attitude. Local tip: when trolling, vary your speed every few minutes. Coho love that erratic action and will often strike right after you change pace.
Ophiodon ElongatusLingcod are the monsters lurking in our rocky reefs. Despite the name, they're not actually cod but aggressive predators with massive heads full of razor-sharp teeth. Females grow much larger than males, often hitting 20+ pounds, while males stay under two feet. You'll find them ambushing prey from rocky lairs in 30-300 feet of water. What makes lingcod fishing fun is their attitude - they won't run when hooked, they'll fight you tooth and nail right to the boat. The meat is firm and white, perfect for fish and chips. They bite year-round but are most aggressive in spring. My go-to technique is bouncing heavy jigs along the bottom near rocky structure. When they grab it, set the hook hard and keep steady pressure to pull them away from their rocky hideouts.
5.0 out of 5.0We had a great time. We didn’t just get big fish, we also got to know Curtis as a human being. I have been on charters where the...
Truly Curtis is the best charter we have ever been on! Overtime was fully equipped and comfortable. Curtis was very timely and pro...
Ucluelet