Oregon Coast Salmon & Crab Combo
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
8-hour combo targeting salmon and crab on weekendsIncludes all gear, bait, and instruction for beginnersIntimate 2-guest capacity ensures personalized attention
Picture this: you're out on the Oregon Coast at first light, dropping crab pots while the morning mist still clings to the water. Then you spend the day working the inshore waters for some of the best salmon fishing on the West Coast. That's exactly what you get with Fassiottos Guide Service's top-rated combo trip – an 8-hour adventure that gives you the best of both worlds. This customer favorite runs every Saturday and Sunday from October 1st through November 30th, when the salmon are hot and the Dungeness crabs are filling out nicely in their shells. You'll be fishing prime fall conditions when the Chinook are staging for their spawning runs and the Coho are aggressive and chrome-bright.
This trip kicks off early – we're talking 5:30 AM launch time, but trust me, it's worth dragging yourself out of bed. The morning bite is often the strongest, and you'll want every minute of that 8-hour window. Your day starts by running out to some proven crab grounds where we'll set your pots for a good long soak. The Oregon Coast has some world-class Dungeness habitat, and we know exactly where these tasty crustaceans like to hang out. Once those pots are working for you, we shift gears completely and focus on what this coast is really famous for – salmon fishing. The beauty of this combo is that while you're battling fish all day, those crab pots are doing their thing in the background. Come afternoon, we'll swing by and see what walked into our underwater traps. It's like Christmas morning when you pull up a pot full of keeper-sized Dungeness. The trip accommodates just two guests, so you're not fighting for rod time or elbow room – it's your show out there.
We fish these waters using proven Pacific Coast trolling methods that have been putting salmon in the boat for decades. You'll be pulling gear behind the boat at specific speeds and depths where the salmon are feeding. Think flashers and spoons, herring rigs, and sometimes plugs when the conditions are right. The Oregon Coast has structure, current breaks, and baitfish concentrations that hold salmon, and we know how to read the water to find them. All your tackle is included – rods, reels, terminal gear, bait, the works. If you've never trolled for salmon before, don't sweat it. These techniques aren't rocket science, and part of what makes a good guide is breaking it down so anyone can catch fish. We'll set the spread, get your lines in the water at the right depth, and coach you through the fight when that rod starts bouncing. The crabbing side is even simpler – we bait the pots with the good stuff (usually fish carcasses or chicken), drop them on productive bottom, and let time do the work. When we pull them later, you'll get to see what Oregon's coastal waters have to offer below the surface.
Chinook salmon are the kings of the Pacific, and for good reason. These bruisers can push 30 pounds or more, though most of what we see in the fall runs between 15-25 pounds – still plenty of fish to test your gear and your arms. October and November are prime time for Chinook along the Oregon Coast because they're staging before heading into the rivers to spawn. They're feeding heavily, which makes them more aggressive, but they're also at their peak condition – thick, bright, and full of fight. When you hook into a mature king salmon, you know it immediately. They'll make long, powerful runs and use their weight against you. These fish are why serious salmon anglers plan their whole year around fall fishing on the Oregon Coast.
Coho salmon, also called silvers, are a completely different experience but just as addictive. These fish typically run 8-15 pounds, but what they lack in size compared to kings, they make up for in pure athleticism. Coho are jumpers – spectacular aerial fighters that will clear the water multiple times during a fight. Fall Coho are chrome-bright and in peak condition, making them both beautiful fish and excellent table fare. They tend to be more aggressive than Chinook, often hitting lures with authority that will nearly yank the rod from your hands. The October through November timeframe puts you right in the sweet spot for these fish as they move along the coast heading for their home rivers.
While steelhead trout aren't the primary target on this combo trip, they're a bonus species that sometimes shows up when you're working the inshore waters for salmon. Oregon Coast steelhead are sea-run rainbows that can range from 6-15 pounds, and they're pound-for-pound some of the strongest fish in the ocean. If you connect with one while salmon fishing, consider it your lucky day. These fish are less predictable than the salmon, but that's part of what makes them special. A good steelhead will run hard and jump like a Coho, but with the stamina to keep fighting longer than you'd expect from their size.
This renowned combo trip fills up fast, especially on the weekends when most folks can get away from work. The fall salmon season is short but sweet, and the window for combining great salmon fishing with productive crabbing is even narrower. October and November offer some of the most consistent salmon action of the year along the Oregon Coast, plus the Dungeness crabs are at their best before the winter storms start moving gear around. You're getting two distinct fishing experiences in one trip, all gear and instruction included, with a guide service that knows these waters inside and out. Just remember that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure your dates work before you commit. But honestly, if you're serious about experiencing what the Oregon Coast has to offer, this trip delivers everything that makes this fishery special – world-class salmon, sweet Dungeness crab,
This 2021 Alumaweld 23-footer is your ticket to productive Oregon Coast waters for salmon and crab action. Built tough with aluminum construction, this skiff handles coastal conditions while the Yamaha F200 main engine gets you to fishing spots fast and the backup 9.9 keeps you covered. Perfect size for two anglers to fish comfortably without crowding each other while working the lines. The fish finder helps locate salmon schools and marks bottom structure, while GPS keeps you on productive grounds and guides you back to crab pot locations. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long 8-hour combo trips. This setup lets you cover water efficiently, from setting crab pots in deeper water to working the inshore salmon grounds where Chinook and Coho cruise.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the giants of the Pacific, averaging 15-20 pounds but occasionally hitting 30+ pounds off our coast. These silver-sided bruisers with black-spotted backs prefer deeper waters, usually 60-120 feet down, which is why we use downriggers and weighted gear. October through November is prime time as they move closer to shore before their spawning runs. What makes them special? That powerful, bulldogging fight and the rich, orange-red meat that's perfect for the grill. They're light-sensitive fish, so early morning starts like our 5:30 AM trips are key. Pro tip: when trolling, vary your speed between 2-3 knots - kings often hit when you change pace, not during steady pulls.
Oncorhynchus KisutchSilver salmon are the acrobats of the bunch, known for their wild jumps and aggressive strikes. Running 8-12 pounds on average, they're smaller than kings but make up for it with pure energy. You'll find them in 30-80 feet of water, often higher in the water column than chinooks. Fall brings them close to shore as they stage for spawning runs, making October-November prime time. Guests love cohos for their spectacular fights and that bright orange meat that tastes amazing fresh or smoked. They're less spooky than kings and will hit a variety of lures throughout the day. Here's a local secret: when cohos are finicky, try switching to a smaller spoon or plug in bright colors like chartreuse or pink - sometimes downsizing triggers the bite.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are sea-run rainbow trout that pack serious muscle after years feeding in the ocean. These chrome-bright fighters average 24 inches but can stretch past 30, weighing 8-15 pounds. Unlike salmon, steelhead don't die after spawning and can live up to 11 years, making multiple ocean trips. You'll find them in nearshore waters during fall and winter, often around structure or current breaks in 40-100 feet. October through March is peak season here on the Oregon coast. What sets them apart is their incredible stamina - they'll make long, powerful runs and leap repeatedly. The meat is firm and pink, excellent eating. My go-to technique is back-trolling with plugs or drifting bait near bottom in 60-80 feet when the bite gets tough.
Oregon Coast