Brant Reef is a rocky drop-off in DFO subarea 17-11 off Nanaimo, British Columbia, where the bottom falls through a mid-exposure zone spanning roughly 40 to 120 feet. The reef holds Pacific Halibut, Sablefish, Rougheye Rockfish, Pacific Cod, Silvergray Rockfish, and Broadnose Sevengill Shark, with halibut peaking through the spring and summer months as fish move onto the structure to feed. The steep rock edges and depth gradient concentrate fish along the slope, making the transition between the shallower reef crown and the deeper flats the most productive water. Drift jigging works this terrain well, with leadhead jigs and soft plastics, metal jigs, or herring worked down the drop-off as the drift carries the boat across the contour. Bait fishing with whole herring, salmon bellies, octopus, or squid holds along the bottom for halibut when a slower presentation suits the tide.

Brant Reef is one of the spots we track around Nanaimo. See every scored spot in British Columbia.

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