Oregon Coast Fishing Charters | Private 8-Hour
Private Trip
River Fishing
Private 8hour salmon fishing charter for up to 6 guestsTarget salmon in Columbia River and Pacific Ocean watersDeparture at 6:30 AM with Every Tide Guide Service
Picture this: you and your crew heading out at 6:30 AM when the Columbia River is glass-calm and the Pacific Ocean beckons with promise. Our private 8-hour charter gives your group of up to six anglers exclusive access to some of the West Coast's most productive salmon waters. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to fill the cooler or a seasoned angler chasing trophy fish, this trip delivers the goods. The Columbia River system is legendary for its salmon runs, and when you pair that with the Pacific's vast feeding grounds, you've got a recipe for world-class fishing. No crowds, no rush – just you, your friends, and fish that'll make your arms ache in the best way possible.
Your day starts early because that's when the fish are hungry. We'll meet at the dock before sunrise, and after a quick safety briefing and introductions, we're off to chase salmon where they're biting best. The beauty of an 8-hour charter is flexibility – we can start in the Columbia River targeting fresh-run fish, then head out to the Pacific if conditions are right and the bite is hot offshore. The Columbia's brackish waters near the mouth are salmon highways, especially during peak runs from late spring through early fall. Out in the Pacific, we're fishing structure, following baitfish, and working the areas where salmon stage before making their spawning runs. Every day is different, and that's what keeps this job exciting after all these years guiding these waters.
We run a mix of trolling techniques depending on conditions and what the fish are telling us. In the Columbia, we'll often pull plugs, spinners, and herring through the deeper holes and current breaks where salmon hold. The river's strong current means we're constantly adjusting our presentation – sometimes that means slowing down to work a promising stretch, other times it's covering water to find active schools. When we hit the Pacific, we switch gears to ocean trolling with downriggers, running everything from flasher and hoochie combinations to cut-plug herring at various depths. All tackle is provided, including Penn and Shimano reels spooled with fresh line, but feel free to bring your own gear if you've got favorites. We carry a full spread of lures and know what's been producing, so you're fishing with confidence from the first cast.
Chinook salmon are the kings of these waters, and for good reason. These bruisers can push 30 pounds or more, with fish in the 15-25 pound range being common during good years. Spring Chinook start showing up in April and May, but the real action heats up from June through August when both ocean and river fish are available. What makes Chinook special is their fight – they're bulldogs that use their weight and the current to test your drag and your patience. The meat is rich and oily, perfect for the grill or smoker. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, with ocean fish often being brighter and stronger than their river-bound cousins.
Coho salmon bring a completely different energy to the fight. These silver rockets rarely stay in the water once hooked, putting on aerial displays that'll have everyone on the boat reaching for their phones. Coho typically run 6-12 pounds, but what they lack in size they make up for in pure athleticism. They show up later in the season, usually peaking from August through October, and they're aggressive biters that'll often hit lures other fish ignore. The meat is lighter than Chinook but incredibly versatile – perfect for canning, grilling, or making into fish cakes. Coho are also more likely to travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around. It's not uncommon to have multiple hookups when we locate a hot school of silvers.
This private charter books up fast, especially during peak salmon season when word gets around about hot fishing. You're getting exclusive access to prime waters with a captain who knows where to find fish when they're biting and where to look when they're not. The 8-hour format gives us time to adjust tactics, move spots, and really dial in what's working without feeling rushed. Whether you're planning a bachelor party, family reunion, or just want to treat your fishing buddies to a top-rated experience, this trip delivers memories and hopefully a cooler full of salmon. Don't wait until the runs are over – book your dates now and get ready to see why Oregon Coast fishing has such a devoted following among serious anglers.
Meet the Catcher's Dream, your ride for serious salmon fishing on the Columbia River and Pacific Ocean. This 26-foot aluminum skiff was built tough in 1987 and completely restored in 2023, so she's ready to handle whatever these waters throw at us. Twin 225HP Honda engines push her at 32 knots, getting you to the best fishing spots fast and keeping you comfortable during the long hauls between honey holes. With room for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of space to work the rods without bumping elbows. The GPS keeps us on course to productive waters, while the fish finder helps locate schools of salmon and other targets lurking below. Whether we're working the river channels for chinook or heading offshore for coho, this boat handles both environments like a champ. The stable aluminum hull cuts through chop and provides a solid platform for fighting fish, so you can focus on landing that trophy instead of keeping your balance.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the giants of the Columbia River runs, typically running 12-39 inches and 15-30 pounds out here. These silver-sided bruisers with black-spotted backs and gums put up serious fights and reward you with that rich, orange-red meat everyone craves. They stick to deeper water since they're light-sensitive, so we'll fish the bottom with weighted gear. Early morning trips work best when they're more active. What makes kings special is their raw power - they'll test your drag and your patience. Here's a local trick: when trolling the Columbia's shipping channel, run your herring or plug just above the thermocline where the cold water meets warm. That's where the big ones cruise looking for baitfish.
Oncorhynchus KisutchSilver salmon are pure energy on the end of your line. Running 12-30 inches and 8-12 pounds, these acrobatic fighters can jump six feet straight up when hooked. You'll find them in the Columbia's calmer areas and along Pacific drop-offs where they chase baitfish. Their dark blue-green backs and bright silver sides make them easy to spot in the net. What guests love most is their aerial show - cohos will dance across the surface like no other salmon. The orange-red meat tastes fantastic too. My go-to technique here is swinging bright spinners in pink or chartreuse through the current breaks. Cohos are aggressive and will slam lures, so keep that drag loose for their first jump.
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