the captain

Your captain is Eric Maki, who has been fishing in coastal B.C. waters and off Vancouver Island for more than 15 years. He started Reel Tight Fishing Charters in 2003, after discovering his years of experience gave him the ability to pinpoint where the fish are biting.

"Fish are creatures of habit - they return to the same grounds year after year. Because I've been fishing for salmon, halibut and cod off the west coast of B.C. for many years, I've learned where they can be found at different times of the year.

"For the past eight years I've kept detailed records of where the salmon, halibut and cod gather, including dates, tides, and time. Give me a date and I'll know where to go to find the fish."

Now the father of a year-old son, Eric divides his time between the family home in Vancouver, B.C., and Vancouver Island, where his boat is moored in Port Alberni. From Port Alberni, he takes fishermen to the offshore banks or Barkley Sound, where he knows the fish will be found.

Most of the fish he and his clients catch are delectable spring and coho salmon or massive halibut. Spring salmon are fished from mid-May to mid-September and halibut from May to mid-August.

In the winter, he takes clients prawning and crabbing and fishing for feeder springs. View Eric's schedule for an idea of when you can schedule your charter.

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Fishing Charter terms and conditions.