Chinook Salmon Fishing Tips: 10 Details put more Trophy Fish in the Boat
Learn 10 practical tips for fighting and landing big Chinook salmon, including rod selection, sharp hooks, drag tension, boat handling and head-first netting.
FishinBC.COM – Saltwater Fishing in British Columbia
FishinBC.com is an online resource center for West Coast sportfishing. Since 2012, we’ve shared practical, first-hand fishing information from British Columbia’s coast, covering salmon, halibut and bottomfish, crabbing and prawning, boats and gear, recipes, and more.
We believe that understanding and taking care of the small details gives anglers a cumulative advantage that will put more fish in the boat. Drawing on decades of experience on the water and in-depth research, our articles dig into those details and explain how to put them to work. Where appropriate, we also link directly to official fishing regulations, manufacturers, and other trusted resources, giving you the information and resources to get the details right.
You may like to start with one of our complete FishinBC.COM guides to Salmon Fishing, Halibut Fishing and Lingcod Fishing, or browse through our library of posts for focused articles on specific techniques, rigging, tackle and gear.
West Coast Smoked Salmon Recipe: Step-by-Step Curing & Smoking Guide
Make West Coast smoked salmon with a simple brown sugar and salt cure, a gradual six-hour smoke and a final maple syrup glaze for added… Read More »West Coast Smoked Salmon Recipe: Step-by-Step Curing & Smoking Guide
Lingcod Fishing: The Complete Guide to Catching Lingcod in BC
Learn how I target lingcod in British Columbia, including finding productive structure, choosing rods, reels and jigs, controlling the drift, regulations and handling your catch.
Halibut Fishing Gear and Tackle Guide
See the halibut fishing gear I use on my boat, including rods, reels, 80 lb braid, landing equipment, crimping tools, rod holders, electronics and anchor… Read More »Halibut Fishing Gear and Tackle Guide
How to Land a Halibut Safely
Learn how to safely land halibut of different sizes, from controlling the weight and measuring smaller fish to releasing oversized halibut and securing large retained… Read More »How to Land a Halibut Safely
Complete Guide to Salmon Fishing: Saltwater Techniques, Rigging, Regulations, and Regional Hotspots
Learn how to catch salmon in British Columbia, including trolling and mooching techniques, rods and reels, rigging, bait, tides, salmon identification, regulations and catch care.
Halibut Fishing: The Complete Guide to Catch West Coast Halibut
Learn how to catch halibut in British Columbia, including where to find fish, gear and baits, anchoring and drifting, fishing techniques, landing halibut, regulations, and… Read More »Halibut Fishing: The Complete Guide to Catch West Coast Halibut
Herring Brine: How to Brine Herring for Salmon Fishing
Learn how to brine herring for salmon fishing using dry salt or saltwater brines, including bait selection, brine ratios, optional ingredients and tips for keeping… Read More »Herring Brine: How to Brine Herring for Salmon Fishing
How to Fillet Salmon and Halibut with Less Waste
Learn how to clean and fillet salmon, halibut and lingcod with less waste, including knife selection, bleeding, fish handling and species-specific filleting techniques.
Best Flashers and Flasher Tips for Salmon Fishing
Learn how I choose and rig salmon flashers for B.C. trolling, including colours, UV and glow, leader length, trolling speed, downrigger setback and dummy flasher… Read More »Best Flashers and Flasher Tips for Salmon Fishing
Cut Plug Herring Rig: How to Rig Herring for Chinook Salmon
Learn how I prepare and rig cut plug herring for Chinook salmon, from choosing and brining the bait to cutting the herring, positioning the hooks… Read More »Cut Plug Herring Rig: How to Rig Herring for Chinook Salmon
How to Sharpen a Fish Hook
Learn how to check a fishing hook for sharpness, restore a dull point with a hook file or sharpening stone, and decide when a damaged… Read More »How to Sharpen a Fish Hook
Salmon Trolling Tips: Small Details That Catch Big Fish
Improve your salmon trolling by doing the small things right—from pre-rigging spare rods and checking for weeds to managing your crew, tides and short bite… Read More »Salmon Trolling Tips: Small Details That Catch Big Fish
Best Prawn Bait and Shrimp Bait
Learn how I prepare prawn bait for short and overnight trap sets using soaked pellets, bait oils, oily fish and a combination of fast- and… Read More »Best Prawn Bait and Shrimp Bait
Knife Sharpening 101 – How to Sharpen a Knife
Learn how to sharpen and maintain knives using sharpening stones, waterstones, diamond stones, pull-through sharpeners and honing rods while maintaining the correct edge angle.
Lingcod Fish and Chips: Easy Beer Batter Recipe
Make homemade beer-battered fish and chips with lingcod, halibut or other white fish for a crispy, delicious meal served with fresh lemon and tartar sauce.
Underwater Crab Fishing Videos: What Happens in a Crab Trap
Watch underwater crab fishing videos that show how crabs approach bait, enter traps and behave around fishing gear, along with some of the other marine… Read More »Underwater Crab Fishing Videos: What Happens in a Crab Trap
Bradley Smoker Review: 12 Years and Counting with the Digital 4-Rack
My review of the Bradley Digital 4-Rack Smoker after more than 12 years of ownership, including smoking salmon, digital controls, reliability and whether I’d buy… Read More »Bradley Smoker Review: 12 Years and Counting with the Digital 4-Rack
Delicious Stuffed Halibut Recipe with Fresh Scallop Stuffing
This stuffed halibut recipe combines a halibut fillet with scallops, green onions and garlic butter for an easy seafood dish that’s perfect for serving family… Read More »Delicious Stuffed Halibut Recipe with Fresh Scallop Stuffing
BC Fishing Videos: Fishing Tips, Wildlife & the West Coast
Watch FishinBC.COM videos covering fishing tips, salmon, halibut and groundfish, Prince Rupert fishing trips, wildlife and scenery from the British Columbia coast.
Rockfish Release Devices
Learn how to release rockfish in British Columbia with a descending device, reduce barotrauma and follow current DFO release requirements.
Fish Kill Bag Review: Reliable 30 × 60
My long-term review of the Reliable 30 × 60 fish kill bag, including size, capacity, ice retention, durability, cleaning, water seepage and how it compares… Read More »Fish Kill Bag Review: Reliable 30 × 60
Fish Cleaning Table
See how I built a custom fish cleaning table for the boat, with a practical design that makes cleaning and filleting fish easier on the… Read More »Fish Cleaning Table
Scotty Prawn Puller Review
Long-term review of the Scotty 2500 Prawn Puller based on years of use, including trap retrieval, line handling, mounting, storage and the updated pulley design.
Best Salmon Burgers
Our recipe for easy homemade salmon burgers made with fresh salmon and simple ingredients for a delicious alternative to traditional burgers.
Circle Hooks for Halibut: How to Rig and Fish Them
Learn how to choose, rig and fish circle hooks for halibut, including hook sizes, leader materials, bait presentation, and techniques for avoiding missed hookups.
Garlic Butter Halibut Recipe
This garlic butter halibut recipe combines fresh halibut with garlic, butter and simple seasonings for an easy and delicious way to cook your catch.
Best Halibut Baits: How to Rig, Scent and Fish Them
The best halibut baits I’ve used include salmon heads, octopus, squid, and herring. Here’s how I rig them, add scent, and keep bait fishing properly.
Cedar Plank Salmon
Learn how to cook cedar plank salmon on the barbecue, including how to prepare the plank, season the fish, and grill your salmon to perfection.
Prawn Recipes – 6 Ways to Cook Prawns and Shrimp
Try some of our favourite prawn recipes, with simple ways to prepare and cook fresh B.C. spot prawns after a successful day on the water.
Prince Rupert Fishing 2013 – Big Fish Bigger Yachts
Look back at our 2013 Prince Rupert fishing trip, with salmon, halibut, lingcod and rockfish, along with the gear, catches and memorable moments from the… Read More »Prince Rupert Fishing 2013 – Big Fish Bigger Yachts
Halibut Weight Length Table
Estimate the weight of a Pacific halibut from its length using IPHC length-weight charts in inches and centimetres, including fish that are measured and released.
Rockfish Identification
Learn how to identify North Pacific rockfish using NOAA and regional identification guides, multiple physical characteristics, and cross-checking between reliable resources.
Razor Clam Fishing – Gear, Techniques, Cleaning, Cooking
Learn how to find and dig razor clams in BC, the gear and techniques used to catch them, and how to clean and cook your… Read More »Razor Clam Fishing – Gear, Techniques, Cleaning, Cooking
Prince Rupert Fishing 2012 – Year of the Codfather
Our 2012 Prince Rupert fishing trip brought plenty of salmon, halibut and lingcod action—and Travis’s remarkable run of cod that earned him the nickname “The… Read More »Prince Rupert Fishing 2012 – Year of the Codfather
Prince Rupert Fishing 2011: Oak’s 104 lb Halibut
Our 2011 Prince Rupert fishing trip featured Oak’s record 104 lb halibut, Chinook and coho salmon, a memorable orca encounter and plenty of stories from… Read More »Prince Rupert Fishing 2011: Oak’s 104 lb Halibut
Prince Rupert Fishing 2010 – 62lb Chinook
Our 2010 Prince Rupert fishing trip produced a boat-record 62 lb Chinook, a 42 lb Chinook and Neal’s 71 lb halibut. A memorable trip that… Read More »Prince Rupert Fishing 2010 – 62lb Chinook
Prince Rupert Fishing 2009 – Salmon Fishing Paradise
Two memorable Prince Rupert fishing trips in 2009 aboard our new Seaswirl Striper, with great Chinook and coho fishing, halibut catches and new offshore fishing… Read More »Prince Rupert Fishing 2009 – Salmon Fishing Paradise
Prince Rupert Fishing 2008 – Springs and Sunsets
Our 2008 Prince Rupert fishing trip included Chinook and coho salmon, halibut outside Edye Pass, Dungeness crab, humpback whales and North Coast sunsets.
Barbecue Salmon with Brown Sugar and Mustard
This easy barbecue salmon recipe combines brown sugar, mustard and lemon for a delicious sweet and tangy glaze. Simple to prepare and one of my… Read More »Barbecue Salmon with Brown Sugar and Mustard
Fishing Records, Awards, and Trophy Room
Explore the FishinBC.COM fishing records, awards and traditions, including the Halibelt Champion, Tyee Club, IronCod Status and Moment of the Trip.
Tides, Tide Tables, and Solunar Prediction Tools
Learn how tides, tidal currents and slack water affect fishing in British Columbia, including tide ranges, solunar data and tools for planning your fishing day.
How to Understand Marine Weather for BC Fishing & Boating
Learn how to understand marine weather for fishing and boating in British Columbia, including wind, waves, atmospheric pressure, changing weather patterns, marine forecasts and the… Read More »How to Understand Marine Weather for BC Fishing & Boating