Why charter with us – 10 Things which make a Great Guide!
Ultimately, when booking any Vancouver fishing charter, there are several questions which run through a customer’s mind. Where to start? Our services are in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry and our business is fishing. There are many details which need to be taken care of prior to the fishing—and those are PAR for the course at the Ocean Adventure Center. There are some things in life you just don’t compromise on—and SAFETY is always first. First and Foremost, your personal safety is of paramount importance to us at the Ocean Adventure Center. All of our vessels are Transport Canada Inspected, fully compliant with all regulations and Owner/Operator maintained. All of our Captains and Guides are fully compliant and trained with all required certifications. With that having been said, we’ve compiled a list of 10 things which make all the difference in a safe, comfortable and productive Vancouver Salmon Fishing Charter! Captain Andrew has often said that you have to be doing a minimum 20 of 21 things right to catch fish and show your guests a memorable experience. So..with that said….
In no particular order…..
10. Safety First:
Know your boats limit and fish well within it. If the water is rough, chances are there is productive fishing close by with much calmer water. Your safety, comfort and enjoyment is highly important to us. All boats are extremely stable and seaworthy and born and bred offshore fishing machines designed for comfort and fishability! Our boats are compliant with the Canadian Department of Transport and there is no compromise in this requirement. Our vessels are meticulously maintained and are safe and seaworthy!
9. Local Area Knowledge:
All of our Captains and Guides have navigated and fished Vancouver Waters in excess of 10 seasons with most in excess of 20 years. We specialize in Vancouver Salmon Fishing Charters. If you want to be the best in anything, you must be dedicated. We’ve dedicated ourselves to being absolutely on our game in this realm. Fishing in Vancouver areas is more challenging than anywhere on the BC Coast. Knowing where to fish at which time of year is absolutely crucial to fishing success. It’s a big ocean out there and there are many square miles of water to cover! We go to where the fish are most likely to be! Local Knowledge is key!
8. How to fish it: This point isn’t the same as number 9 above. If you’re in an area, there are many factors which can make the difference between getting 1 fish or none, or 4 or 5. Do you keep trolling or turn around and do a figure 8 over the area? It has been said that 10% of the fishers catch 90% of the fish. You want to be with that 10%!
7. Tides and how to fish them:
Loosely stated, fish are where you find them. Vancouver Chinook (King) Salmon are prolific swimmers and truly in their element. Generally speaking, salmon are on the move and are most active in slower moving waters thus fishing tide changes is absolutely key. However, just because the tide has started to move in general doesn’t mean all is lost. Knowing at what point you are in the tide and at what location the fish are most likely to be at really makes a difference!
6. Gear and Bait and How to Use it:
In the Vancouver area, there are several methods which are employed to catch salmon. We employ the most productive fishing method: Trolling. There are several ways to rig and fish baits and lures and all have specific and technical “must dos” which make the difference between effective trolling and spending time dragging lines through the water unproductively, untangling lines, and wasting time. Tackle must be selected with a keen eye for quality, effectiveness and knowledge as to how and why it works, what works and what colour selections should be made for the target species of salmon. We fish a wide variety of PREMIUM TACKLE using the BEST WEST COAST FISHING TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT MONEY CAN BUY. The Herring and Anchovies we fish are top quality. The is NO COMPROMISE in this area. A good guide also knows when to change it up. Welcome to the Ocean Adventure Center!
5. Understanding our Guests and their Expectations:
Ultimately, despite our Guides’ and Captains’ best efforts, fishing is still fishing. Our guests trust that we’re going to give them honest information on our boats, our services and your fishing prospects. That is to say, there’s a reason it’s called fishing and not catching. When we recommend a longer fishing trip, it’s for GOOD REASON. Sometimes the best fishing is a bit further away. When we take you on a charter, we’re not guessing, we’re committed to maximizing your opportunity to catch fish! If there’s a lot of 25 pounders down at the T10, we’re going to recommend going to the T10 Buoy, not put putting around the freighters in Vancouver Harbour! We’re not going to tell you the fishing is very good when in fact it’s mediocre. We’re not going to tell you we’re fishing for 30 pounders when in fact a 30 pounder hasn’t been caught in weeks. We’re not going to take you fishing when it’s forecast to blow gale force winds. We are going to do our best on the given trip to show you the best time possible. We are going to give you our best recommendations and best efforts to ensure that you have a safe, rewarding and memorable fishing experience! Let our guides show you the way!
4. Knowledge of the History of the Area , the Fishery, and Wildlife.
Need we say more?
3. Current Knowledge of the Area and Recent Fishing Success:
Our guides are on the water on a very frequent if not daily basis. If the bite was on yesterday morning at 730 am, we’re going to want to be at that spot at 730 am!! If the place to be yesterday was at “X”, then we’ll probably be fishing “X” tomorrow! Each day, each week, and each year is generally somewhat different that the previous and it’s important to have this knowledge and use it to your advantage. We go to where the fishing opportunities are best!
2. Instinct and the Power of Observation:
Nothing could be further from the truth that to say our guides go out to a random spot where “X” marks the spot and start trolling the local waters aimlessly. Some of our guides have been said to have that “Sixth Fish Sense”. All of our guides use and apply all their knowledge to give you the best chance of success. We’ve had some amazing fishing trips where fish seemed to follow the boat much to our guests amazement while many boats did not do well. However, fishing is still fishing. Sometimes HOT sometimes not! For example, if we’re noticing that all of our strikes come trolling one direction, we’re going to put that knowledge to work. Likewise, if we notice that a particular color lure is the ticket and the shift is to a different lure altogether, we’re going to change it up. Fishing is a science, and your guides as “mad scientists” know when to change up to “match the hatch”. This knowledge and use of instinct can make all the difference! These are a few examples and of why some of our guides are so good! Keying in on these imperatives and little details can make the difference between some, more, and none! That’s fishing!
1. Good Working Relationships in the Industry and other Guides/Anglers
Our guides are in close contact with other guides in the local industry and well connected and respected. It’s impossible to know where every last fish was caught the previous day—but we try! Information gathering and sharing is very important. If we’re headed down to the T-10 Marker or to the Point Grey Bell Buoy…it’s for good reason!
Hopefully this page has given you a better understanding and appreciation of what the Ocean Adventure Center Guides will do for you! Call us today to inquire about your Vancouver Salmon Fishing Charter!