British Columbia Charter Fishing Boat Owners Always Find the Best Fish

Queen Charlotte Islands fishing charters are a favorite tourist activity for visitors to British Columbia and even nearby Alaska. Made up of the two big islands (Moresby and Graham), several mid-sized ones (most notably Langara and Lyell) and about 150 small ones that stud the Hecate Strait, charter fishing boat owners guide visitors to the best chum, Chinook, pink and sockeye salmon fishing and halibut fishing in the area. Seasoned tour operators also know where to find a plethora of rock fish species, ling cod, blue shark and steel-head as well as Pacific mackerel.

Time and again tourists wonder how these charter boat owners know where to fish at just the right time. After all, the vast ocean depths make pinpointing the locations of schools of fish somewhat iffy at best. Truth be told, Queen Charlotte Islands fishing charters rely on old-fashioned science and observation. For example, it is a well known - and well-documented -- fact that Langara is in the middle of the migration routes for Coho and Chinook. Not surprisingly, timing the salmon fishing trips just right leads to a bountiful ocean harvest. Since the fish congregate at these venues when they are at their plumpest, the sizes of the various specimens are rather impressive.

Of course, electronic gear on board - such as GPS and fish finders -- help charter operators to locate the more elusive fish that may not follow migration routes or be as impacted by weather patterns as perhaps the halibut. Fishing with a charter boat operator who combines tradition and experience with the latest in modern technology is truly the only way to experience plentiful Queen Charlotte Islands fishing. Experts suggest that first-time visitors should hire guided charters - as opposed to relying on their own sense of direction in unguided boats - for an in-depth introduction to the waters and its marine life.

The types of boats used for charters vary. Couples or small families enjoy 23-foot boats that accommodate also an experienced guide and plenty of gear. Small groups will do well with a 30-foot conveyance that may also feature a kitchenette for cleaning the catch. Frequently though fish cleaning is done after the boat returns to shore. There are cleaning tables set up for both the fishing crews and passengers to utilize. In some cases, multiple salmon fishing expeditions will set out concurrently and remain in radio contact. This helps establish any changes to migratory patterns in the salmon population and can also tip off interested parties to nearby pockets of halibut fishing or sightings of blue sharks.

While passengers are responsible for obtaining their own fishing licenses prior to boarding a charter, the boat operators ensure that visitors are equipped with the right fishing rods and tackle. Ocean fishing requires radically different tackle than off-shore expeditions and experienced guides who are facilitating Queen Charlotte Islands fishing tours outfit tourists with 10-foot and six-foot rods, level-wind reels for halibut fishing and single action reels for salmon fishing. Although there is some discussion over which type of test line is best, the general consensus holds that salmon fishing requires 25-pound lines while halibut fishing would be impossible without at least 50-pound lines. As you can see, you are in good hands when you entrust yourself to the capable guidance of Queen Charlotte Islands fishing charters.

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