Thanks Charlie! What is the area called "you can run 240 degrees off the lighthouse for about 12 miles" and what depth are you at there? Is it a bank that comes up like the big bank off Uke? i assume that is the halibut bank of choice for the Nootka region? thanks again. Doug

mcgyver, you can't run 240 degrees off the Lighthouse. You will run into land which is a bad thing. You run 240 off Maquinna to get out to Bajo Reef or the Whistle Bouy then keep going and you will hit the Highway.

Codfather, Charlies 240 true or 260 mag,(depending on deviation) may not be that far out? Maybe you are correct, if ,in deed he started from the Light House, and not out a hundred yards or so from there out on the water. Have not fished there as much as you, so I could be wrong and so could my Noble Tech. Would love to follow you around for a few days, as you sure can slay them. ...BB

mcgyver.... IMHO, follow codfathers advice.... he know's that area like the back of his hand.....a little bit off course in some areas can get a guy into trouble ..
I take it you don't have a GPS?

Spring, yes have GPS (HDS5) and Furuno radar (I'll fire it up and look for the boats) I'll also check the chart and watch for the 50 fathom "shelf" that I hear talked about which is the "highway". Thanks

your set buddy, all you need is the time and the weather!!

good luck

Last time I checked a little bit of course ‘offshore’ you really don’t have to worry about. There isn’t much chance of hitting many rocks or land out there in that area? Just watch the weather, as it is not fun entering Nootka Sound with 50-60 knot winds – those rollers can build pretty fast! Been there done that!

Well, I do admit that would be 'true', I should have stated that! If you can somehow get your boat and start a route setting on top of the lighthouse, you will indeed hit land, so I guess I should have stated ‘abeam’ the lighthouse on the south side – and included, outside of the breaking surf! That was a 'true' heading! And, I very well could have used Maquinna Point as the starting point. It is approximately 240 degrees 'true' from both (outside of surf, rocks, and land). I do also have to admit, I assume most people will NOT run their boats into rocks? I guess that could have been a bad assumption? I have found when people plot locations on their charts, most don't take into consideration the magnetic variation?

Of course I could have just simply stated you can find both salmon and halibut somewhere/anywhere between Bajo Reef out to the vicinity of N49 29.411 W126 52.742, and included, or just follow Codfather – that wouldn’t be a bad idea? Sounds like an offer, and it's not a bad idea to run out there in pairs!

Or, I could have just simply posted this… stating don’t cross the Continental Shelf while targeting Chinook!

sorry Charlie ,I didn't mean to be rude or dis your info in my post...I did say "a little bit off course in 'SOME' areas" can get you into trouble...
codfathers 240 from Maquinna is a "little" more accurate...

I can remember many years ago heading out there(Bajo) on a day with a very heavy mist,almost foggy,had never been out there in that kind of weather, but 1st trip with my new hand held MagellanGPS (one of the very early model GPS's no background maps)I was invincible!, heading 240(west) and NOT taking into consideration the tides/current pushing us North/North West, we almost ended up in/on the reef in the huge kelp bed

and most people won't run aground, and then there's BC Ferrys

and then there's this guy

http://www.thehulltruth.com/gulf-coast/290857-hold.html

Oh no! I didn’t take that rude at all! I agree and agreed… That’s why I clarified “true” versus “magnetic”! There is a big difference!

Concerning the little off course. I was just stating, once offshore a ‘little bit off course’ really doesn’t matter. If you want to see what a ‘little’ off course can do, try running through the rocks at Nuchatliz. A little off course will flat out put you into rocks… and/or check this picture out. My boat and the guy driving just got a little bit off course, when I wasn’t looking! http://www.panoramio.com/photo/14816144

This is what that route would look like in both magnetic and true… there is very much a difference!

Charlie...all i can say is WOW...thanks so much! With everything I've read online and the help from this forum i feel like I've already been to Nootka! What are you using to do those graphics?
Doug