Combo Salmon/Bottom Fishing Adventure
Shared Trip
Offshore Fishing
Combo salmon and bottom fishing offshore adventureSingle guest capacity ensures personalized fishing experienceProfessional Columbia River guides target multiple species
Picture yourself hauling up a thick lingcod from 200 feet down, then switching gears to troll for bright chrome salmon cutting through the blue water. That's exactly what you'll get on this combo fishing trip with DG Columbia Adventures. This isn't your typical single-species charter - we're talking about maximizing your time on the water by targeting both pelagic salmon and deep-dwelling bottom fish in one epic day. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to fill the cooler or someone wanting to experience the best of both fishing worlds, this trip delivers variety that keeps your line tight and adrenaline pumping from launch to dock.
Your day starts early when we fire up the engines and head to our proven fishing grounds. The beauty of this combo approach is that we're not locked into one style of fishing - we read the conditions, check the fish finder, and adapt our game plan accordingly. Some days we'll start deep, working the rocky bottom structure for lingcod, rockfish, and halibut using heavy jigs and live bait. Other mornings, the salmon bite might be hot near the surface, so we'll get the downriggers working and start trolling spoons and plugs through the feeding zones. You'll experience the satisfaction of both precision bottom fishing and the anticipation of salmon trolling. The boat's equipped with quality rods, reels, and tackle for both techniques, so all you need to bring is your fishing license and appetite for action. This personalized trip accommodates just one angler, meaning you get dedicated attention and can fish at your own pace without worrying about tangles or competition from other guests.
Bottom fishing requires different tactics than salmon trolling, and we've got both dialed in. For the deep stuff, we're dropping heavy lead-head jigs tipped with cut herring or squid down to where the big lingcod and rockfish live. You'll feel every tap and bump as your bait bounces along the rocky bottom 150-300 feet below. The key is keeping contact with your jig while working it up and down - that's when the strikes happen. When we switch to salmon mode, it's all about covering water with downriggers set at different depths, usually between 20-80 feet depending on where the fish are showing on the sonar. We'll pull flashers and hoochies, spoons, or plugs at speeds between 2-4 knots, watching the rod tips for that telltale slam when a salmon grabs your offering. Circle hooks help with catch-and-release, and we use barbless hooks where regulations require. The boat's fish finder and GPS help us stay on productive structure and mark schools of baitfish that attract both salmon and bottom species.
Salmon runs vary throughout the season, but we consistently find fish by following the baitfish and adjusting our depths. Chinook salmon are the prize - these kings can push 30+ pounds and fight like freight trains once hooked. They tend to hold deeper and prefer larger baits like whole herring or big spoons. Coho salmon are acrobatic fighters that love to jump and make blistering runs near the surface. They're suckers for bright flashers and smaller hoochies in pink, green, or silver. On the bottom fishing side, lingcod are the main attraction. These toothy predators can exceed 40 inches and provide serious arm-burning fights as you winch them up from the depths. They're ambush hunters that hide in rocky caves and crevices, so working your jig right along the bottom structure is crucial. Rockfish add steady action - species like yelloweye, canary, and black rockfish hit hard and taste fantastic. The variety keeps things interesting since you never know if the next bite will be a delicate rockfish or a rod-bending lingcod.
Chinook salmon are the undisputed kings of the Pacific, and for good reason. These powerhouse fish arrive in different runs throughout spring, summer, and fall, with the biggest specimens often showing up during cooler months. What makes them special isn't just their size - it's the way they fight with deep, sustained runs and head-shaking fury. They're also incredibly smart, often requiring precise presentations and fresh bait to trigger strikes. The meat is rich and oily, perfect for grilling or smoking. Coho salmon bring a completely different energy to the fight. They're silver bullets that explode on the surface when hooked, jumping repeatedly and stripping line at incredible speeds. Peak coho fishing typically happens in late summer and early fall when they're aggressive and feeding heavily before spawning. They're slightly smaller than kings but make up for it with pure athleticism.
Lingcod are the monsters of the bottom fishing world, and they're pure fun to target. These prehistoric-looking fish can live over 20 years and grow massive, with females significantly larger than males. They're most active during cooler months and spawn in shallow rocky areas during winter. What makes lingcod exciting is their aggressive nature - they'll often grab a hooked rockfish on the way up, giving you a surprise double-header. Their flaky white meat is excellent eating, though you need to watch for size and season closures. The rocky reefs and underwater pinnacles where lingcod live also hold various rockfish species. Yelloweye rockfish are the longest-lived, sometimes reaching 100+ years old, which is why many areas have strict regulations on keeping them. Black rockfish school up and provide non-stop action once you find them, while canary rockfish are beautiful golden-orange fish that fight well for their size.
This combo fishing experience gives you the best of both worlds - the excitement of salmon trolling and the steady action of bottom fishing, all in one trip. You're not gambling on a single species or technique; you're stacking the odds in your favor by targeting whatever's biting best on
Our brand-new 2025 26-foot Alumaweld Pacific is built for serious salmon and bottom fishing adventures. This offshore-ready aluminum boat seats six comfortably and comes loaded with everything you need to find and catch fish. The twin Garmin LiveScope units give you real-time underwater views, while the 3D sonar helps pinpoint schools and structure. When fog rolls in, the onboard radar keeps you safe and on course. The center console design provides excellent 360-degree fishing access, and we've equipped her with Edge fishing rods and Folbe rod holders positioned perfectly around the boat. The FishFighter gear setup means tackle and equipment stay organized during the action. An underwater camera lets you see what's happening below, and the VHF radio keeps us connected to other boats and harbor patrol. Whether we're trolling for salmon in deeper water or dropping lines for lingcod and rockfish near the bottom, this boat handles Pacific waters with confidence. The offshore bracket and stable aluminum hull cut through chop smoothly, so you can focus on fishing instead of fighting seasickness.
Columbia River