What to Bring Fishing List

  • Storage space for gear is limited but in addition to a valid fishing license we suggest you bring the following items:
  • Tidal Waters Sport fishing license – Do not forget to bring a printed copy of your license. Can get online or at a dealer, see below
  • Sunscreen (best applied before you leave shore – you might forget once the fishing starts).
  • A ball cap or brimmed hat
  • Sunglasses.
  • Layered clothing (t-shirt, shirt, vest and a wind/water repelling jacket). Remember its usually one layer of clothing cooler on water than on land.
  • Camera/Camcorder is always a good idea to capture all the fishing and wildlife action.
  • A Snack or bag lunch especially if going on a longer charter. The soft-sided insulated lunch bags are ideal.
  • When bringing your own lunch, snacks and drinks
  • Cold non-alcoholic drinks are always a good idea on hot days (or a Thermos flask with hot drinks for cooler days).
  • Large coolers for fish storage, don’t need on the boat but for when we get in with the fish. I do have a tub at the dock for transporting your fish to a processer if you’re getting the fish vacuumed packed and frozen.
  • For those of you accustomed to fishing fresh water and the need to first douse yourselves with insect repellent, you will be pleased to learn that insects are never a problem on the ocean. Once in a while a bug or two might venture out there but it is rare.
  • For full and half day charters it is a good idea to bring your own rain gear and rubber boots. It is not totally necessary as you may be blessed with sunny weather, but this is the west coast and it’s good to be prepared. Dress in layers so you can adjust to different weather conditions and activity levels. Believe me; you can work up quite a sweat reeling in a couple of halibut from 300 feet.

Fishing Licenses

You need to ensure each angler has:

A Tidal Water Sport Fishing license – you cannot legally handle a fishing rod if you don’t have one. A Salmon Conservation Stamp affixed to the license (if you expect to keep your catch you’ll need the inexpensive conservation stamp and we recommend you get it). HINT: If you buy a short-term license (1-day, 3-day, etc.) don’t throw it away until after March 31st, in case you go fishing again before then. That way you avoid having to buy another Salmon Conservation Stamp.

For information of how get a sport fishing license, the fees, requirements, vendor list, etc. go to www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/nrls-sndpp/index-eng.cfm – where you can now obtain fishing licenses online. If you are from the US do not purchase your license online, if you do you will NOT legally be able to bring any halibut back. You will need to pick up your license at an authorized dealer.

Walmart Canada Corp #1018-3355 Johnston Road  Port Alberni BC  V9Y 8K1   250-720-0912

Canadian Tire Store #488   3550 Johnston Rd.  Port Alberni BC  V9Y 7W8            250-720-0085

Gone Fishin’Ltd.   5069 Johnston Road   Port Alberni BC          V9Y 5L6            250-723-1172

NOTE: to clear up a misconception, annual fishing licenses are not valid for a 12-month period from the date you first purchase it. Annual licenses expire March 31st, regardless of purchase date.