Pacific Fishing with Canada’s Serengeti Fishing Charters

I observed as Dave Summers, my guide and outfitter, rigged up an anchovy and put the perfect bend in the bait to make it roll enticingly in the saltwater. The flasher we used provided even more action to the bait, delivering a vibration that created excitement among feeding salmon.  We lowered our offerings into the water, off our downriggers, and sat back to wait for a bite. It didn’t take long for the action to heat up, and the tip of my rod started to twitch just minutes after starting our trolling search pattern.

I jumped to my feet, grabbed the rod and set the hook. I could feel the power in the rod as the Chinook (Tyee, King) on the other end took off with a ferocious retreat that left my single-action reel screaming with delight. As the line peeled through the eyelets of my rod, I didn’t dare put my fingers close to the handle for fear of getting knuckle dusted as it spun in circles. Gigantic fish create an adrenaline rush that can only be fully understood by someone who has experienced the battle firsthand.

I had booked a trip in search of big fish with Serengeti Fishing Charters. They consistently catch big Chinook, halibut and ling cod, and the thought of doing battle with some of the Pacific’s feistiest fish was now a reality.

Going at It

I waited for the salmon to tire under the pressure of the rod and reel and gained a little line back. I know from experience that patience is a virtue if you want to land the big ones, and I knew I had all day to get my prized possession to the boat. After 10 minutes of constant pulling, the fish finally allowed itself to be guided into the landing net. Its bright silver body looked like a torpedo built for careening through the depths in search of a meal. It’s no wonder they can put up such an intense struggle.

It was the first morning out, and we were fishing a stretch of shoreline where the tides swirled and eddied around a rocky point, providing the perfect conditions for the big fish to gorge themselves on the ocean’s bounty.

The lines were set once again, and we battled with ten more Chinook before hooking into a monster. Dave ran around the boat like he was performing a fire drill, getting in the other line and clearing the deck to land the big fish. The incredible strength of the salmon allowed it to strip almost all the line off the reel, and we ended up having to chase it with the boat to ensure it didn’t spool my reel. When we caught our first glimpse of the bright fish, we roared with excitement. Its massive body looked like that of a fattened hog. The fish was far from being done and, after a couple of intense runs, I finally guided it into the net. It was high-fives on deck, and we recorded the event with dozens of photos. The 37-pound Chinook was what I’d come for and left me wanting more.

Fertile Fishing Grounds

The salmon fishing was nothing short of spectacular, and with several whoppers over 30 pounds, I knew the stories of fishing from Port Hardy were true. The area is a fertile feeding ground for large fish, and the various runs of salmon come to the area to take advantage of the feeding opportunities before heading to their spawning rivers. The waters between Vancouver Island and the Queen Charlotte Islands are also a hotbed for big halibut, ling cod and red snapper.

On our trip back to port, we took a detour for some sightseeing and visited a colony of sea lions basking on a nearby rocky island. The intense smell and loud barks made it clear we were in the right spot for viewing, and the lions were intrigued by our presence. Several of them dove into the water and swam around and under our boat, offering us a close-up view. As we traveled across the strait, we enjoyed the antics of a pod of killer whales and had the privilege of observing a big humpback whale hunting near the surface. The bald eagles and other birdlife made me wish I had brought a book to identify more of the sea birds that I wasn’t used to seeing.

Day 2

The next morning, I got to fish with Dave Junior, and I would have to say there is a strong competitive nature between him and his dad. He was bound and determined to find me an even bigger salmon than the one his dad had guided the day before, and I was anxious to find out what this opportunity would yield.

Dave Junior’s secret combinations of colour and flasher selections proved themselves quickly. The area we targeted held an incredible number of big fish, and we quickly went through most of our bait, catching the hard-fighting Chinooks. I was again shocked at the numbers and quality of fish that we caught, but we couldn’t connect on one bigger than the day before. And when the tides were right, we packed up the salmon rods and headed for nearby halibut fishing grounds to try our hand at some big butts.

Dave guided our craft with such accuracy to an exact spot where he anchored the boat and rigged up the rods to fish the bottom. I could sense his excitement and knew from his pictures that big slabs were a favorite of his, and he was obviously an expert at catching them. It only took a matter of minutes before we got our first bite after lowering our baits.

The rods surged, and anglers giggled as we hooked up with three nice halibut in less than half an hour of fishing. Dave was working hard to encourage us to release fish and keep hunting for a monster, but none of us were willing to part with the nice fish that we already had in the boat. Like the salmon fishing, the bottom jigging was some of the hottest action one could experience on the west coast.

The three days went by so quickly that I wish I’d booked a longer trip. I was back out with Dave Senior on the last morning, and he put on a show I’ll never forget. We did some precision trolling that produced giant Chinook every time we made a pass. I had two fish on that were over 40 pounds but lost them both before getting them to the net. It was the perfect ending to a sensational trip with some of the biggest salmon I’ve ever caught on a single tour. Getting a glimpse of those massive fish that got away solidified my desire to troll my way back into the big fish challenge.

Serengeti Fishing Charters

Dave and Heather Summers, and their son David Junior and wife Brianna, run an all-inclusive Pacific Ocean fishing charter operation out of Port Hardy, BC, on the north end of Vancouver Island. The two Daves are experienced guides who know the waters and fish well and have a knack for catching the big ones.

Charters include a minimum of eight hours per day of fully guided fishing from the Ms. Heather III, their 31-foot Pursuit or on the new 27-foot Grady White. They’ve recently added a third boat, and all are ideally suited for the West Coast, offering the most in comfort and fishing capabilities under any conditions. Their fishing and wildlife watching opportunities are second to none.

They offer full accommodations and meals in a seaside residence that provides a great view of the ocean and is within walking distance of the boats. Most clients go home sporting a few extra pounds from eating well and sore arms from fighting fish.

I have fished with the Summers many times and always look forward to a return visit. American anglers will enjoy the bonus of an extended dollar, with current exchange rates offering a minimum of $1.35 Canadian to every $1.00 USD. There has never been a better time to plan.

Contact Them

Toll-free: 1.888.281.2275

Local: 250.902.0598

www.serengetifishingcharters.com