The HYMAX is a very solid, spacious, fully equipped high-end fishing & cruising machine.
Homeport is in Tofino, British Columbia on the west coast of Vancouver Island. From here we can access some of the healthiest offshore and inshore fishing grounds in the Pacific Ocean. These waters have made Tofino one of the most important commercial & recreational fishing ports on the west coast of Canada.
Tofino is your gateway to the Pacific Rim National Park and the rest of Clayoquot Sound. Endless sandy beaches, the therapeutic waters of Hot Springs Cove, breaching Humpback Whales visiting from Hawaii, these are just a few of the wonders of Clayoqout Sound.
Check Out The Hymax Experience (Video)...
2 Minute Video (6MB)
Exploration, Discovery and Nautical Adventures await.
Tofino Web Cam & Local Weather
Big Fish Winner 2007
Congradulations to Chad from Aspen Colorado for winning Hymax Charters annual biggest fish contest. Chad hooked and landed the biggest salmon aboard Hymax for the 2007 season. Chad got his 47 lbs Spring Salmon on August 31/07 (with some help from his new wife) while on their honeymoon in Tofino. Great catch Chad, the fish ain't bad either.
Chads prize is a one day fishing charter for two for the 2008 season valued at $720.
Who will be this seasons winner?
Fishing
The Tofino fishing scene is spectacular. Fish the protected waters of Clayoquot Sound, or the more productive off-shore waters. As you cruise out of Tofino Harbour past the lighthouse, you enter a unique offshore eco-system that supports huge schools of bait fish. Teaming balls of Herring, Pilchards, Neddlefish, Squid, and Krill attract and support the legions of bigger game fish. This thriving rugged environment creates catch opportunities found nowhere else on the Coast. We target Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Halibut, Tuna, Snapper and Rock Cod. In addition we usually set and check the Crab and Prawn traps when leaving and returning to the harbour.
Custom smoking of your own salmon is available through Trilogy Fish Store right at the top of the dock. In most cases your fish is ready for pick-up the very next day. Trilogy does a beautiful job and has an excellent reputation. They provide custom vacuum packing and blast freezing and ship all over the world. You can contact them at 250-725-2233.
Rates
Deposit and Cancellation Policy
less $50 admin fee
Get out on the Wild Pacific Ocean. We have fun rain or shine!
Cruising
Book a private party cruise for your family or group. Bring your own food and drink use my well stocked galley, BBQ and enjoy a peaceful, relaxing cruise aboard HYMAX. Catering is available.
Things to do include whale watching, trapping for crabs and prawns, some fishing, a trip to Hot Springs Cove for a soak.
I have had many different types of charters including, family groups, corporate groups, wine and cheese cruises, drop off and pick-up of surfers at remote surf spots, kayakers, stag parties, a chef with 12 dinner guests.
Whatever you need.
Info on Hots Springs Cove & Maquinna Marine Provincal Park
Whale Watching
As a commercial fisherman/geo-duck diver for almost 20 years I have had the good fortune to have had many encounters with whales in the wild. I have even come face to face with a transient Killer Whale underwater. So let me humbly tell you, to see whales in the wild is to realize you have seen intelligent, organized, sentient creatures much like ourselves, maybe more so. People have changed the direction of their lives after seeing their first whale. You will at least be amazed and gain an experience you will keep for life.
In our part of the Pacific Ocean we commonly see Grays, Humpbacks, Orcas (Killer Whales), Minkes, and Pilot Whales. We also regularly see Pacific White-Sided Porpoise, Dalls Porpoise, and Harbour Porpoise. Not to mention Northern Stellar Sea Lions, California Sea Lions, and Sea Otters.
Last season we had a rare encounter with a huge bull Sperm Whale feeding on giant squid. And another rare encounter with a pod of Risso Dolphins.
Welcome To Wild Whales!
22nd Annual "Pacific Rim Whale Festival"
March 15-23
www.pacificrimwhalefestival.org
Bear Watching
This is a three hour tour up Tofino Inlet in calm waters. Excellent for people who do not want any waves. We depart one hour before low tide. The bears feed along the exposed shore-line at low tide, turning over rocks and boulders to get at the buffet of crabs and clams underneath. We view the bears from the safety of the boat, only a few meters away, so close you can hear the shells breaking in the mouths of the bears. This is a great family outing.
Diving
Diving in Tofino is for experienced divers. You must be a strong swimmer and confident with your gear. The currents around Tofino are strong and change quickly. This does not mean the diving here is not good, it can be amazing but challenging. You never know what you might see.
I only take experienced divers with there own gear and dive master. The Hymax provides a very solid platform to dive from.
Also, check out The Shipwrecks of Vancouver Island
Salt Water Fly-Fishing
Working the Kelp beds, backeddies, and various shoreline structures makes for an up close more connected exchange with the fishing environment. For me it's the thrill of triggering a big Salmon's instinct to strike, using only light tackle and a minnow type Fly presented as naturally as possible. The techniques have been around a while, but are still evolving and gaining popularity. It's always a learning process out there. I have been outfitted with the latest in saltwater fly fishing rods, reels, and lines from River Sportsman of Campbell River. The action on the new gear is awesome and the excitement has been nonstop.
About Myself
I have been a full time commercial fisherman for 18 years now. Harvesting geo-ducks(giant clam), sea urchins and sea cucumbers from BC's most remote coastlines. The harvesting is done by surface supply diving gear. An onboard compressor fixed to 300 feet of airline supplies air to a diver wearing 100 lbs of lead "walking" on the bottom.
We fish primarily through the winter months, diving daily for weeks at a time to fulfill market driven quotas. Geo-duck diving on the west coast annually takes me all over, from Barkley Sound to Tofino, Clayquot Sound, Nootka Sound, ,Kyuquot Sound , to Nasparti Inlet, around Brooks Peninsula to Klaskish Inlet, Klaskino Inlet Quatsino Sound and Winter Harbour.
Home port for the HYMAX is Tofino, British Columbia. The HYMAX is available and equipped to charter anywhere on the west coast.
I have owned the HYMAX for eight years now and have been chartering from Ucluelet and Tofino. I do not commercial fish from the HYMAX.
I take great personal pride in the maintenance and operation of my equipment so that you can feel safe, comfortable and welcome.
The HYMAX
The HYMAX is a 40-foot custom-built command bridge sport fisher built for the west coast. The boat is of heavy fiberglass construction with twin 225 hp Caterpillar marine diesels. There's a large covered aft deck and command bridge with seating for a stunning vantage point. Upon entering, a full custom teak interior by Canoe Cove greets & warms you. Their is a forward cabin with a double and single bunk with it's own bathroom. A large main salon with a table and full galley will keep you comfortable in the west coast weather. There is an aft cabin with two double bunks and a head with vanity and shower.
The Highlander
- PAST CONTRACTS:
- Environment Canada : Water sampling projects and research
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency: Geo-duck sampling for PSP(red tide) testing
- Stats Canada: 2006 census of remote areas of west coast Vancouver Island (28 days)
- Department of Fisheries and Oceans: Various research diving contracts
- Canadian Fishing Company: Herring roe sampling and grading (10 Years)
- Canadian Fishing Company: Support and Safety boat for Sockeye Seine Fishery
- Marine Security Services
- Water Taxi Services