Aluminum boats do catch fish in Nanaimo...... ....I happen to have an aluminum boat myself and catching fish is no problem.

Just wanted to know how big a boat we're talking here. In smaller aluminums you really have to watch your weather. There are some places that a small aluminum should not be, ever, in terms of safety.

Boat size and design is quite important. I feel very comfortable fishing Barkley and offshore waters (weather permitting) in a properly equipped 17' Hourston and Double Eagle. I used to run out 15miles in my 18' Malibu when weather was good. You can most certainly find halibut throughout the 'season' in nearshore waters - just need to go and experiment. Most guys that have 'spots' in/near shore will not give them up.

With an addition to my family, I sold my 18' and now have what I would consider to be a small 16' cc with an F50. I will fish SOME spots in Barkley but will ALWAYS watch the weather. I fish out of Bamfield mostly so the spots would be limited to the Beale/Kirby/Diplock areas. Essentially spots I know I can get back to shelter in a reasonable hurry if conditions dictate. You won't ever see me beyond the surfline even on a flat calm day with no fog (do they exist? ha!) in the rig I use now.

Now...Nanaimo. I fish Nanaimo a fair bit and there can be decent fishing. Come April-June just watch where the boats are. Splatterback hootchy/flasher combo is pretty much a must try, as well as some of the 3.5/4.0 spoons. Talk to Dane at the Harbour Chandler and he will get you into what is working.

In a nutshell, don't be afraid to get out in a smaller boat but always be conscious of the weather and sea conditions. Just remember, they are just fish and not worth losing a life over.

sorry gents - forgot about this post. I'm kinda green so not sure offshore is for me but I keep seeing pics of this amazing fishing on the west side.

Nootka intrigues me, does it get busy there?

I fish out of Poetts Nook in a 16 foot boat all the time. We drag it up the dusty trail and as long as we take er slow we have never had a problem. We got carried away once and blew a tire. It is a great place to fish out of. Lots of nooks and crannies to fish around there if the weather isn't the best and I find the cleaning table is very friendly for information on tackle and hot spots compared to some others.

Hello all,

If you have a small boat, Barkley sound and Ucluelet have great fishing all summer long. the last 2 weeks of july and the first week of August would be peek. There are lots of Chinooks around and you dont have to travel very far. There are a handful of great spots with 5 minutes of the harbour, so if the wind picks up its an quick hop in. Also there will be lots of boats so its pretty easy to tell where the fish are. Plus the road out here is paved!