Thrasher Rock / Gabriola Reefs
Offshore fishing area · approximate area · boat · Nanaimo
Structure
Gravel and sand banks 120–250 ft off the reef, exposed to the Strait.
Notes
Best on small tides; needs a settled Strait forecast.
- 1Main line 80 lb braid on a lever-drag reel
- 2Swivel Heavy ball-bearing swivel
- 3Spreader bar Wire spreader, 30 cm arms
- 4Weight 16–32 oz cannonball, enough to hold bottom
- 5Leader 100 lb mono, 60 cm
- 6Hook and bait 8/0–10/0 circle hook with whole herring, salmon belly or octopus
How to tie and fish it
Tie it: Weight on the short arm, leader on the long arm. Circle hook: do not set, just reel steadily.
Fish it: Anchor on the flat at slack, drop a scent bag, and leave the bait on bottom. Small tide exchanges are the only days this works well inshore.
Rules
DFO Area 17 · Rules checked 2026-10-19
Official fishing regulations