I have had luck off the Breakwater in Victoria, just off of Ogden Point on Dallas Road. Try buzz bombs (keep them off bottom or you have a new expensive hobby!) I had luck there in the past with a 2oz weight and an anchovy on a bottom bouncing style rig. BIG ling! BIIIIG ling! You will have to fight through the kelp though. Try off the very end as well with big silver spoons for passing Salmon.
X3 on the Crabbing. You can buy traps at all outfitter shops on the coast, starting at 9.99. My secret bait for crabbing/shrimping/prawning.... Clams and Salmon roe. Throw 5 or 6 clams in a old sock, the older the better!, and smack them with a hammer. Throw a skein of roe in there and tie it tight to your trap!! Seals will maul your trap if they want your bait badly enough, but they usually only go for salmon bits used as bait.
Nube they could be Pile perch, they grow to about 45cm,
I bet it was either Pile perch, Rock cod (like Nicholal suggested),
either way they taste great!!
Good luck!