Bottom Fishing Opens May 1
May 1 is almost here, and for saltwater anglers that means one thing - bottom fishing opens!
While there are no retention opportunities in Vancouver waters (Areas 28 & 29), a quick run across the Strait of Georgia into Area 17 puts you into retention waters for lingcod and rockfish.
Regulations vary by area, so be sure to review the rules for wherever you’re fishing. You can find the current finfish (non-salmon) regulations HERE.
Regulations Overview
Since most of the Pacific Angler team lives in the Vancouver area and our guide boats are based here as well, we focus our bottom fishing in Area 17. If you’re heading that way, here’s a quick overview of the key regulations there:
Lingcod
Limit: 1 per day
Minimum size: 65 cm
No maximum size
We recommend releasing larger fish, as these are typically females and important for spawning. They’re also older fish, and from a table perspective, you’re better off keeping lingcod in the 10–15 lb range. Letting fish over 20 lbs go helps keep the population healthy and growing.
Rockfish
Limit: 1 per day (all species combined)
No minimum or maximum size
Important: Yelloweye rockfish are endangered and closed to retention—be sure to release them carefully.
Descending Devices (required regardless of area you are fishing)
One thing we always emphasize in-store and on the phone: always use a descending device when releasing rockfish.
You must have one onboard, ready to use, and know how it works. Not having one can result in a significant fine. Descending devices are essential for helping fish recover from barotrauma, and they make a huge difference in survival rates. We’ve included a couple of options below that we use and recommend.
Bottom Fishing Gear Guide
Now that we have the nitty gritty details out of the way it’s time to talk gear! If you haven’t been out yet this year, bottom fishing is a great way to kick off the season. Add in a few prawn or crab traps, and you’ve got the recipe for an awesome day on the water and hopefully a great meal when you get home.
If you’re looking to gear up, swing by the shop or browse online, we’ve got everything you need for lingcod, rockfish, and halibut. Below are a few of our go-to's for the bottom fishing season ahead.
No boat? No problem. Give us a call on our charter line at 778.788.8582 or send us an email and we can get you set up on a guided trip.
Onto the gear!
Rod – Shimano Travala
Medium-heavy to heavy action rods are ideal for bottom fishing. They give you the power to lift and control fish while still allowing you to properly work jigs and swimbaits. These rods are typically shorter than traditional salmon trolling rods, which helps improve leverage when you’re pumping and reeling fish up from depth.
Reel – Shimano Torium
The Shimano Torium is a great choice for anglers looking for a lightweight, high-performance jigging reel. It features an easy-to-adjust cast control and a classic star drag system, making it user-friendly while still packing plenty of power for lingcod, rockfish and even halibut if you hook into one.
Swimbaits – Lighthouse Megabite Swimtail and Delta Tackle Power Paddle
Swimbaits are excellent for covering water and exploring structure. Drift-trolling these lures is a relaxed yet effective way to present your offering while searching for fish! I like to keep a range of colours in my tackle bag.
Jigs – P-Line Hali-Drop and Gibbs Cod Jig
Jigging is a hands-on, active way to fish and can lead to some exciting bites. Having a variety of colours and weights on hand is key and can help you find success as tide movement and depths can vary.
Scent – Pro-Cure Bait Sauce Herring and Pro-Cure Super Gel Squid
Adding scent to your lures can make a big difference. Beyond attracting fish, it can also help mask unwanted smells, like fuel, sunscreen or from your breakfast sandwich that might otherwise turn fish off. These are some of our favourites.
Must-Have – Seaqualizer or Shelton Descending Devices
Descending devices aren’t just helpful, they’re required. Options like the Seaqualizer offer simple, automatic operation, while others like the Shelton provide a more manual approach. Either way, having one onboard is essential for responsible and legal fishing.
Outerwear – Grundéns Neptune Bib
Even in May, conditions on the water can change quickly. A waterproof bib like the Grundéns Neptune is a great cost effective addition to your gear. It will keep you dry if the rain shows up and clean when dealing with messy fish like lingcod and rockfish. They’re durable, easy to clean, and provide reliable protection from the elements but not too hot for spring weather either. Pick up a matching jacket and you’ll be set year round.
Footwear – Deck Sandals & Deck Boots
Warm weather might tempt you into wearing your regular sandals or flip flops, but they can be incredibly slippery on a wet deck. Proper deck footwear, whether it’s purpose-built sandals or boots with non-slip soles provide the grip and stability you need for safety and comfort on the water.
Grundéns makes excellent purpose-built deck sandals that look great and, more importantly, provide the grip you need on a wet boat deck. As the weather warms up, they’re a solid option—but spring still brings plenty of wet days where a proper deck boot is the better choice. When choosing a boot, look for one designed for the marine environment with proper siping on the soles for reliable traction. For spring conditions, we prefer a shorter boot height—it keeps your feet dry while allowing a bit more airflow to stay comfortable throughout the day. We carry a range of great options from both Simms and Grundéns that our retail team and guides rely on all season.
If you’d like to learn more about any of the gear we chatted here, talk bottom fishing tips and tactics, stop by the shop, give us a call, or drop us an email online. We’re always happy to help get you dialed in for the season.
-Jordan Simpson
