8 Hour Salmon Fishing in Tillamook
Shared Trip
Inshore Fishing
Guided salmon fishing with 40+ years local experiencePrivate inshore trip with all equipment providedEighthour adventure in prime Tillamook waters
Picture this: you're sitting in a comfortable boat with a captain who's been working these waters for over four decades, watching your rod tip bounce as something big tugs on the other end. That's exactly what you get when you book this full-day salmon fishing adventure in Tillamook. This isn't some cookie-cutter charter operation – you're getting personalized attention as the only angler on board, which means prime positioning at every hot spot and all the one-on-one coaching you could want.
Your day starts early, meeting your seasoned captain who knows every current, structure, and salmon highway in these productive waters. With 40+ years under his belt, he's seen it all and knows exactly where the fish are holding based on tide, weather, and seasonal patterns. You'll spend eight solid hours targeting some of the most sought-after species on the Oregon coast, from hard-fighting Chinook salmon to surprise catches like sturgeon and lingcod. The beauty of having the boat to yourself means no rushing, no competing for rod space, and no settling for second-best fishing spots. Your guide tailors every move to the conditions and what's biting that day. All your tackle, rods, and bait are provided, so you can focus entirely on fishing instead of gear prep. Just grab some snacks, drinks, and good rain gear – trust me, you'll want layers out there since it's always cooler on the water than on shore.
Your captain will run a mix of proven salmon techniques depending on conditions and fish activity. Expect to work with both trolling setups and drift fishing rigs, switching between methods as the bite dictates. For salmon, you'll likely be pulling herring, anchovies, or spinners behind downriggers or divers to get your bait down to where the kings are cruising. When targeting bottom species like lingcod or rockfish, you'll switch to heavier jigs and live or cut bait presentations. The boat carries quality rods matched to the techniques – medium-heavy trolling rods for salmon work and stout bottom fishing setups when you're bouncing structure for lings. Your guide handles all the technical stuff like reading the fish finder, adjusting depths, and rigging fresh bait, while you focus on feeling the bite and fighting the fish. Don't forget to download the MYODFW app and grab your fishing license before you head out – it's required and easy to get on your phone.
Chinook salmon are the crown jewel of this fishery and the main target for most anglers. These powerful fish, often called "kings" for good reason, can stretch over 30 inches and weigh 20-40 pounds in these waters. Fall months bring the strongest runs as mature fish head back to their natal rivers, and they're aggressive feeders that put up spectacular fights. What makes Chinook special here is their incredible strength – they'll make long runs, jump, and test every knot in your tackle box. Plus, they're outstanding table fare with rich, flaky meat that's perfect for grilling or smoking.
Rainbow trout might surprise you in these coastal waters, but they're here and they're scrappy fighters. Ocean-bright rainbows that have spent time in saltwater are completely different animals than their freshwater cousins – they're chrome-sided, hard-muscled, and fight like fish twice their size. These typically range 16-24 inches and show up when you least expect them, often while targeting salmon with similar techniques.
Lingcod are the aggressive predators lurking around rocky structure and drop-offs. These toothy critters can reach impressive sizes – 10 to 20 pounders are common, with occasional monsters pushing 30+ pounds. They're ambush feeders that absolutely crush bait, and once hooked, they fight dirty with head shakes and attempts to wrap your line around rocks. Lingcod season typically runs strong through fall and winter months, making them perfect targets when salmon fishing slows down.
Lake sturgeon are the wildcards that can make your day legendary. These prehistoric fish are rare catches, but when you hook one, you'll know it immediately. Sturgeon can live over 100 years and grow massive – even a "small" one will likely be the biggest fish you've ever fought. They're bottom feeders that respond to fresh bait like herring or squid, and their fights are long, powerful battles of endurance.
Black sea bass round out the mix as fun bonus fish that often show up around structure. They're smaller than the other target species but make up for it with numbers and attitude. These scrappy fighters are excellent eating and provide steady action when the bigger fish are being picky.
This is exactly the kind of fishing experience that keeps anglers coming back year after year – personalized attention from a top-rated captain, access to productive waters, and the chance to tangle with some seriously impressive fish. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in your salmon techniques or someone who wants to experience world-class fishing without the crowds, this charter delivers. The combination of your guide's four decades of local knowledge and the exclusive single-angler format means you're getting the best possible shot at fish of a lifetime. Don't wait too long to secure your dates – the best fishing windows fill up fast, especially during peak salmon season.
Your salmon fishing adventure in Tillamook waters starts aboard our 26-foot Willie Boats skiff, built tough for Oregon's coastal conditions. This 2014 beauty handles the Columbia River and Pacific waters like a dream, powered by twin Yamaha 200HP engines that'll get you to the hot spots fast. The shallow draft design means we can chase salmon into those skinny water areas where the big ones like to hang out. GPS keeps us on the fish, while the sonar shows what's swimming below. With room for you and your guide, there's plenty of space to fight those chrome-bright chinook without getting tangled up. The boat cuts through chop smoothly and tracks straight when you're battling a fish. Perfect setup for working the tide lines and river mouths where salmon stack up during their runs.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are scrappy bottom fighters that pack a lot of punch in a small package. Most run 1-3 pounds and 12-16 inches, but the occasional 5+ pounder will surprise you. They love structure - wrecks, rocky bottoms, and jetties in 20-120 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to spawn and feed. What guests enjoy is their willingness to bite and that strong initial fight before they come to the surface. They're excellent table fare with sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. Interesting fact - they're all born female and change to males as they grow. My advice: fish right on the bottom with squid strips on a two-hook rig near any structure you can find.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights of our waters - these silver bullets with black-spotted backs regularly hit 15-30 pounds, with some monsters pushing 40+. They cruise deeper water columns, usually 20-80 feet down, following baitfish along current breaks and drop-offs. Peak season runs late spring through early fall when they're moving through on their spawning runs. What makes them special is that powerful, sustained fight - no flashy jumps, just pure bulldogging strength that'll wear you out. The rich, orange meat is prized by chefs everywhere. Since they're light-sensitive, early morning and late evening produce the best bites. Local secret: troll a plug or spoon just above the thermocline where the water temperature drops.
Acipenser FulvescensLake sturgeon are living dinosaurs - these prehistoric bottom feeders can live over 100 years and grow massive. Most we see run 3-5 feet and 30-80 pounds, though giants over 100 pounds still swim these waters. They cruise sandy and gravel bottoms in deeper holes, using their whisker-like barbels to find food. Late spring through summer offers the best opportunities when they're more active. What's amazing is landing a fish that's potentially older than you are - it's humbling. They're surprisingly docile but their size makes every fight memorable. The meat is excellent, and their eggs make premium caviar. One tip: use heavy tackle with a glob of nightcrawlers on bottom, and be patient - they take their time deciding to bite.
Ophiodon ElongatusLingcod aren't actually cod - they're aggressive greenlings with massive heads and nasty teeth that'll give you a good scare. These bottom dwellers typically run 5-15 pounds, but we've pulled up 30+ pounders that'll test your gear. They hang out in rocky areas 30-200 feet down, using their mottled coloring to ambush prey. You can target them year-round, but late summer through fall is prime time. What guests love is how hard they fight once you pull them off the bottom - they're stubborn and don't give up easy. The white, flaky meat is top-notch eating. Pro tip: drop a heavy jig right into the rocks and be ready to muscle them out fast. Once they wrap around structure, you're done for.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout are fantastic fighters with that signature pink stripe running down their silver sides. Most run 12-16 inches here, though we see some beauties pushing 20+ inches. They love cold, clean water with good flow - you'll find them in deeper pools during summer heat and shallower runs when it's cooler. Spring through fall gives us the best action, especially early morning and evening when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is that acrobatic fight - they'll jump and run like crazy once hooked. The meat is excellent eating too, with that pink flesh. Here's a local tip: in our waters, try drifting a small spinner or spoon just off the bottom in the deeper holes. They often sit right where the current breaks.
Tillamook