Fishing Club Sidney & Victoria Area

SeaKing Adventures Inc. was incorporated in 1995 as a whale watching and marine tour company. It is a family business entirely owned and operated by Ron and Holly King. In 2000, SeaKing moved its operations to Fisherman’s Wharf. In 2001, we built a floating building that doubled as a tour office and gift shop. With its close proximity to the cruise ship terminal and downtown core, Fisherman’s Wharf has become a popular destination for both tourists and locals.

In 2010 SeaKing acquired a 42’ commercial fishing vessel with a shrimp license in order to enter these markets without sub-contracting services to outside companies.

In 2020 we started a new Fishing Club called Club SeaKing Adventures. We will be operating out of Sidney and the Victoria area.

There are no passenger class Coast Guard certified vessels available for fishing in the Victoria or Sidney area. Existing companies offer salmon or halibut fishing on 24’ to 28’ vessels that are limited to 4 passengers. It is necessary to privately reserve and charter these vessels at a cost of up to $800.00 for 5 hours. Although fishing is a popular activity, the high cost puts it out of reach for most residents. Tourists often cannot take advantage of the service because of the need for advance arrangements. The limited passenger capacity per vessel makes it unattractive or even impossible for tour company bookings. In addition, the small vessel size limits the market to salmon or halibut fishing because there is not enough deck space for crab and prawn traps.
The New SeaKing Adventurer will provide 10 to 17 passengers with the opportunity to fish prawns, shrimp, crab, salmon and halibut on an individual – rather than charter – basis. With a nod to the popularity of television’s Deadliest Catch, there will be a strong emphasis on trap fisheries (prawns, shrimp and crab) because this service is not currently being offered.

The SeaKing Adventurer will carry at least 102 traps on the decks and will provide customers with the opportunity to glimpse into the world of commercial fishing. Regulations currently entitle each passenger to fish 4 prawn traps and 2 crab traps with the provision that they personally manage their traps. We will give them a lesson on running the gear before departure and will supply video information on board the boat. Passengers will set their traps in the morning to provide maximum soak time. After fishing salmon, halibut etc. for several hours, we will return to pull the traps. There will be a deck hand on board to guide and assist passengers with each of the fisheries.

With the increased public interest and awareness in local food and produce, this affordable excursion will provide tourists and locals with the opportunity to personally catch fresh, local seafood. Offering multiple fisheries on each tour greatly increases the chances for success. The 6 to 7 hour expedition will cost $250.00 per person for non-members (including traps, rods, bait, etc) so passengers can expect excellent food value in return for their fare. Current market value is $25.00 per crab, $22.00 per pound for prawns, $15.00 per pound for salmon and $20.00 per pound for halibut.

We will operate the Club SeaKing to further entice the local market. Membership will cost $100.00 per year and will entitle members to a discount on all fishing, whale watching or  tours booked through Club SeaKing. Members will also have an expedited on-line booking service and access to a members-only chat room that will be featured on our promotional web-site.

The SeaKing Adventurer will supply pots, bait and gear for up to 12 fishermen. Each fisherman can fish 4 prawn pots and 2 crab traps for a limit of 4 crab and 200 prawns. You’ll also find other species in the traps including: flounder, spider crab, swimming scallops, cod, rock fish, giant pacific octopus, sea stars and sun stars. Pots will be colour coded for individual identification. In accordance with fishery regulations, each fisherman will be responsible for baiting, setting, removing and managing their pots … so prepare to get wet and dirty!

Next we’ll break out the rods and reels and head to the fishing grounds while the pots are soaking. The full wrap-around deck on the SeaKing Adventurer allows lots of room for salmon, halibut and rock fish mooching. Each fisherman is entitled to 1 halibut and 2 salmon. Fishermen can bring their own rods and gear but must use our traps because they’re designed for our hydraulic winch system.

After retrieving our pots we’ll head back to the docks to clean and process our seafood. We’ll supply bags but bring your own bucket or cooler and leave it in your vehicle if you want to bring live crabs home.

Captain Ron King

Invites you to book your Victoria Fishing adventure with him