Archive for category: Featured News

Getting to Eagle Nook

Eagle Nook Resort is located in Barkley Sound on the West Coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. The most common way our guests arrive at Eagle Nook Resort is by floatplane with Seair Seaplanes or CorilAir. This option will not only minimize your travel time, but you will take an awe-inspiring flight over Vancouver Island from Vancouver and experience the beauty above before arriving at our resort to begin your all-inclusive fishing trip in British Columbia. Fly directly from the seaplane terminal to our dock, and we will take care of all the details, from booking your flight to arranging a shuttle to and from the terminal.

Arrival By Water Taxi

The water taxi pick-up is included in all packages. Drive through the breathtaking Cathedral Grove and arrive at Port Alberni, where our water taxi will be ready and waiting for you at China Creek Marina. Stop for a bite to eat in Port Alberni or grab something to go and enjoy it on the dock’s edge before you embark on the scenic 60-minute cruise to Eagle Nook Resort along the coast.

Barkley Sound Weather

The Barkley Sound region of British Columbia is well-known for its salmon fishing. The area is also popular for its beautiful scenery and mild weather. The average summer temperature in Barkley Sound is about 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit). This makes it a great place to enjoy the outdoors. There are many hiking and camping opportunities in the area. The Barkley Sound region is also a popular spot for whale watching. Several species of whales can be seen in the waters off Barkley Sound, including orcas, humpback whales, and minkes. Check the weather forecast if you’re planning a visit to Barkley Sound. The region can sometimes experience extreme weather conditions, so it’s important to be prepared.

What to Bring to Eagle Nook Resort:

We hope you’re looking forward to your upcoming trip to Eagle Nook Resort. To help with your trip preparations, we’ve put together a list of items we suggest you bring along. Keep in mind that the weather on the West Coast can vary throughout the day. Mornings can be cool and foggy, while afternoons are often hot and sunny, so clothing that is easily layered is recommended. The Resort will provide you with rain gear and rubber boots if necessary.

Some items that we suggest you bring along are:

• 2 pairs of jeans or casual pants
• 1 pair of shorts
• 1 fleece or hoodie
• 1 long sleeve T-shirt
• 2 short sleeve T-shirts
• 4 – 5 pairs of socks, underwear
• a lightweight jacket (rain gear and rubber boots are provided at the Resort)
• hat/sunglasses
• 1 pair of hiker-type shoes (if you plan to use the hiking trails)
• 1 pair of casual shoes or runners
• swimsuit (for the hot tub, towels are provided here)
• personal medications and toiletries (soap, shampoo & hair dryers are provided at the lodge)

Guest rooms are supplied with towels, terry bathrobes, and amenities such as shampoo and soap, with hair dryers available upon request.

If you are arriving by float plane:

Due to float plane weight restrictions, personal luggage weight should not exceed 20 lbs per person (approximately the size of an airline carry-on). Please use a duffel bag in place of a suitcase. This ensures you can bring the most fish home possible without exceeding float plane weight limits!

If you are arriving By Water Taxi:

Please use soft duffel-type bags and keep luggage to a maximum of 40 pounds or lighter if possible. We have limited space on the boat so small bags if possible.

To learn more and book your stay at Eagle Nook Resort in Barkley Sound, British Columbia, today, contact a member of our team.

Understanding the Different Bait and Lures for Halibut

Using the right bait and lures at the end of your line is essential when it comes to catching ground fish like halibut at great depths.

Here’s the Eagle Nook Resort team’s round-up of the top halibut fishing baits and lures we recommend trying on one of our chartered halibut fishing trips on the West Coast of Vancouver Island.

 

This post is for anyone who has ever wondered, “What bait works the best for pacific halibut?” If you’re brand new to halibut fishing, start with our guide to Fishing for Halibut in BC – and then book one of our unforgettable Vancouver Island fishing packages!

Halibut Bait

When it comes to catching halibut, live bait is best. Fortunately, halibut are not picky eaters, which leads to a wide variety of live bait to choose from. Here are some of the best halibut baits to use:

Salmon Bellies

To halibut, salmon smells and tastes delicious! When the incredibly tough salmon skin is left on, salmon scraps are very durable, so they tend to stay on your line for quite a while. Any part of the salmon will do, especially the white-skinned belly meat, which is soft and easily shredded, making it easy for halibut to take a bite. Puncture the skin side of the salmon first using a circle hook. Then, puncture it once more through the flesh and back through the skin, leaving you with a double-threaded belly strip. The salmon will be on there so securely, you’ll need a knife to remove it!

Salmon Heads

Using salmon heads for halibut bait is a great way to use up every part of a salmon. Their strong scent can attract halibut from great distances. Small heads of Coho, Chinook, or Pink salmon are best. If the heads are too big, halibut might not be able to fit the whole thing in their mouths, which would make the bait less effective. Rig a salmon head to your sharpened circle hook by piercing the snout at the upper and lower lip so you’re essentially threading the mouth closed.

Squid

Squid is another great halibut bait – particularly when targeting larger fish. You can use either fresh or frozen squid, either whole or in pieces. Squid is a lot softer than salmon, so it does tend to get nabbed by critters other than your target species on the way down to the ocean floor. To prevent this, use two hooks in tandem, and add either thread or dental floss for reinforcement.

Octopus

Octopus is a great halibut bait because it has a tough, rubbery texture that helps it stay firmly on your hook. It’s not as readily available as salmon, but it does the trick quite well! When using octopus as bait, it is important to hook the tentacles near the body to ensure the bait does not come loose. Double-hook the octopus as you would a salmon belly and that’s it! Be careful your octopus isn’t too big though, as this could lead to lots of nibbles but no bites.

Herring

Herring is irresistible to halibut, making it a good halibut bait. Large size herring are best, but the cost of large herring can start to add up. Keep in mind that herring is a soft fish, making it easy for non-target species to rip off your line on their way down to greet the halibut. When using herring as live bait, they are typically hooked through the mouth or nose and allowed to swim freely. You can also consider brining it in pure salt for a few days to harden it up or stuffing it in a bait bag.

Bait Bags

One trick we have seen is the use of homemade bait bags in which softer live bait, such as herring or chopped fish scraps, is balled up inside of nylon or pieces of mesh produce bags from the grocery store. The bait bags are tied off with a thread and should be about the size of a golf ball.

Bait bags are an effective way to target halibut, and they can be used in both deep and shallow waters. They can be used alone, or they can be stuffed into a hoochy, where they will be concealed but still leave a strong scent trail. They can even be frozen for later use.

Halibut Bait Tips & Tricks

Halibut aren’t too picky about what type of live bait you use. In addition to the baits mentioned above, Pacific mackerel, Pacific grey cod, anchovies, sardines, clam necks, shrimp, prawns – you name it – can all be used. These bottom feeders have also been known to bite at baits that haven’t originated from the ocean, such as raw beef, pork, and chicken. Some anglers even use freezer-burnt fish and meat. Doing so is a great way to put otherwise inedible human food to good use!

To have the best halibut bait at the end of your line, always ensure:

• it’s rigged securely
• it puts off a good scent trail
• your line is weighted enough to get to the ocean floor with the bait intact.

If your bait is too soft or too small, not hooked properly, or your line is sinking too slowly, there’s a good chance your bait will get yanked off by other sea creatures like snails, starfish, crabs, and dogfish.

Likewise, if your bait is too big, such as a lengthy octopus tentacle (exceeding 8-10 inches) halibut can nibble away at it without actually clamping down on your hook.

Pro Tip: Not catching big enough fish? Try increasing your hooks to a slightly larger circle hook and using larger bait like salmon heads.

Best Halibut Lures

Some of the lures for catching salmon can be used for catching halibut, provided they are combined with live bait and don’t create too much movement or razzle dazzle in the water. (Halibut prefer calm waters and are more attracted to scents than they are flashy, jerky motions, so spoons and flashers aren’t recommended.)

 

 

Jigs

Jigs work especially well for halibut because they are weighted. The lead weight (sinker) of the jig usually comes with a hook molded right into it – perfect for adding your live bait. The lead weight is sometimes covered with a soft rubber or silicone body and might come with an artificial fish head, sometimes tasseled, sometimes not, and are designed to mimic the appearance of small fish or squid. Jigs can be fished using a variety of methods, including by vertically jigging them along the bottom of the ocean.

Rite Angle Fishing Products and Gibbs Delta makes many excellent halibut jig lures. For example, the Rite Angle Double Glow Mexican Flag, Halibut Spin N Glow White, Double Glow Pink Skirt and from Gibbs the Gibbs Delta Mud Raker, Gibbs Delta Jigalu, Gibbs Delta Big Eye Glow Jig, and Gibbs Delta Bio X Scent are all great lures to start with.

There are thousands of jigs on the market, and thousands of ways to prepare your own jigs. For example, pipe jigs made of copper pipe are a fun DIY project. The pipe creates a bit of noise while emitting a subtle electrical charge that seems to attract fish.

Artificial Squid

Soft-bodied artificial squid are popular halibut lures – but these aren’t your average hoochies. They are actually much larger and come with additional features. Some to choose from include soft iron squid lures, which closely resemble real squid, and Fat Squids, which are soft plastic artificial squids that glow and are about the size of your palm! Because artificial squid is designed to mimic the appearance and movement of real squid, it is important to use the proper rigs and techniques to ensure the bait is presented in a natural way.

 

Pro Tip: Use a Ziploc bag to marinate your artificial squid in the scents of your live bait.

 

Grubs

Soft plastic bodied Power Bait Grubs by Berkley are effective halibut lures because they are filled with scents and have specially designed crescent-shaped tails that wiggle just enough in the water to attract but not spook halibut. Eight-inch Grubs are recommended. These lures are biodegradable and available in more than a dozen colours.

Chartered Halibut Fishing in Barkley Sound, BC

During a chartered halibut fishing trip offered through Eagle Nook Resort, we provide you with a wide selection of halibut baits and lures, as well as everything else you’ll need to catch halibut on the West Coast of BC, including circle hooks and lead weights. You can also bring your own tackle with you if preferred. Check out our list of what to bring on our chartered fishing trips to learn more.

The world of halibut baits and lures can be an overwhelming place if you are just starting out with the sport. Halibut BC fishing charters like the ones we provide on the West Coast of Vancouver Island can be a great place to start. The passion and knowledge of our experienced guides serve as a great introduction to halibut fishing as well as salmon fishing.

Eagle Nook Resort is among the best Canada fishing resorts. Call us today at 604-357-3361 to book your next fishing trip, or learn more about our salmon and halibut chartered fishing packages.

 

 

 

 

Eagle Nook Resort is located on the remote reaches of Vancouver Island’s rugged West Coast. We are surrounded by old-growth forests, abundant wildlife, and world-class salmon and halibut fishing. We are a bit biased, but we believe that Barkley Sound, home of Eagle Nook Resort, is one of the most spectacular places in the world. Each year, we welcome guests from around the globe to join us for adventure and excitement, relaxation and rejuvenation, or a little bit.

We know that you have various options when selecting your next getaway, adventure, corporate retreat, or fishing charter. To help you as you consider if Eagle Nook Resort is right for you, we have developed a definitive guide for selecting a fishing charter. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know to choose the perfect West Coast fishing charter, including the types of Fishing available and what to look for in a charter company. By the end, you’ll be ready to book your trip and start reeling in those big catches!

Types of West Coast Fishing

There are two main types of Fishing available on the West Coast: saltwater and freshwater.

Saltwater fishing in the ocean can be divided into two subcategories: bottom Fishing and pelagic Fishing. Bottom Fishing refers to catching fish that live near the sea floor, such as cod or halibut. Conversely, pelagic fishing targets fish that swim in mid-water or near the surface, such as salmon or mackerel.

As the name suggests, freshwater fishing is done in rivers and lakes. The most common type of freshwater fish caught on the West Coast is trout.

At Eagle Nook Resort, we specialize in world-class salmon and halibut fishing on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Canada. Our all-inclusive fishing packages feature private charters on one of our  26 – 28 ft fully equipped Grady White and North West Aluminium boats and experienced guides who will ensure you limit out while having the trip of a lifetime. Fish calm waters inside Barkley Sound or head offshore for an adrenaline-packed fishing experience.

What to Look for in a West Coast Fishing Charter Company

Now that you know the different types of Fishing available on the West Coast, it’s time to start narrowing down your search for a charter company. Here are some factors to keep in mind:

– Location: Where do you want to fish? How will you get there? What experience are you expecting once you arrive? Eagle Nook Resort is accessible by driving into Port Alberni and being picked up by water taxi, boat in, or fly-in by float plane right to our dock. Relaxed fine dining, water view rooms, fully guided fishing charters, hiking trails, kayaking, and paddle boarding. Eagle Nook offers the perfect place to escape for both adventure and relaxation.

– What is included? At Eagle Nook Resort, with our high-end reels, fishing rods, and Scotty downriggers, you’ll be reeling in trophy-sized halibut and salmon in no time. Our fishing charters are aboard our  26 – 28 ft Grady White’s and North West Aluminium boats and equipped with the latest and greatest fishing lures, bait, and equipment. They also feature twin-powered engines and 4-stroke trolling motors, stereos, below-deck enclosed washrooms, and modern, up-to-date radar and electronics. Each of our fishing charters is unique and private; we do not mix any of our groups. With no more than three guests per boat (or a family of 4), we can cater to your needs and go to the locations based on what fish you’re after. We’ll make sure that you and your friends leave with your limits of fish.

– Trip length: How long do you want to be out on the water? Most West Coast fishing charters range from half a day to a full day. At Eagle Nook Resort, our packages are all-inclusive and run either Sunday – Thursday (4 nights/5 days) or Thursday – Sunday (3 nights/4 days). Your team will enjoy our luxurious resort, featuring:

• Deluxe ocean-view rooms
• Relaxed fine dining
• Post fishing “Dock Side” lunch
• Afternoon ‘appy’ hour
• Access to kayaks, paddle boards, frisbee golf, and 17 km of hiking trails
• Outdoor hot tub and patio area
• Full access to other resort amenities (games room and more)

Now that you know what to look for, it’s time to start searching for the perfect West Coast fishing charter company (we hope it’s us!)