Full Day Salmon And Sturgeon Fishing In Astoria
Shared Trip
River Fishing
8hour Columbia River trip targeting salmon and sturgeonExpert instruction in trolling and bottom fishing techniquesAll equipment included with 6 AM departure time
Captain Jason at Fish Food Guide Service knows the Columbia River like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This full-day shared charter targets the big names that draw anglers from all over the Pacific Northwest – salmon and sturgeon. Starting at 6:00 AM sharp, you'll have eight solid hours to work the productive waters around Astoria, where the Columbia meets the Pacific. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to dial in your technique or a seasoned angler chasing trophy fish, this top-rated charter delivers the goods. All your gear is covered, so just bring your license, some snacks, and get ready for a day that'll remind you why the Columbia River is legendary among fishing circles.
This isn't some cattle-boat operation – you're looking at a maximum of two anglers, which means plenty of elbow room and personalized attention from Captain Jason. The small group size lets him really focus on teaching you the nuances of Columbia River fishing, from reading the water to perfecting your presentation. You'll launch early to beat the crowds and hit prime feeding windows when these fish are most active. The Columbia around Astoria offers incredible diversity, from deep channels where sturgeon patrol the bottom to productive salmon runs along structure and drop-offs. Captain Jason's local knowledge shines here – he knows exactly where to position the boat based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. This world-class fishery demands respect, and you'll learn why so many guides consider the lower Columbia their home water of choice.
Captain Jason runs a well-equipped operation with quality rods, reels, and all the terminal tackle you'll need for both salmon and sturgeon. For salmon, expect to work with medium-heavy spinning or conventional setups rigged for trolling and drift fishing. You'll learn how to present herring, anchovies, and spinners in the current, adjusting your technique based on what the fish are telling you. Sturgeon fishing is a whole different game – we're talking heavy rods, strong reels, and serious bottom rigs designed to hold in the Columbia's current while presenting fresh bait where these prehistoric giants feed. Captain Jason will walk you through proper rod handling, hook-setting techniques, and the art of fighting big fish in moving water. The gear is dialed in for success, but the real education comes from understanding how salmon and sturgeon behave in this dynamic river system.
Coho salmon are absolute crowd-pleasers and for good reason – these chrome-bright fighters average 8-12 pounds and put on aerial displays that'll get your heart pumping. September through October is prime time for coho in the lower Columbia, when they're fresh from the ocean and loaded with energy. They're aggressive feeders and respond well to both trolled lures and drift-fished bait, making them perfect targets for anglers still learning the ropes. Chinook salmon are the true kings of the Columbia, with fish ranging from 15-40 pounds and the occasional monster pushing even bigger numbers. Spring and fall runs offer the best action, and these bruisers will test your tackle and technique. There's nothing quite like the steady, powerful runs of a big king salmon in heavy current. Chum salmon might not get the same press as their cousins, but they're scrappy fighters that show up in good numbers during their spawning runs. The lower Columbia's chum average 8-15 pounds and provide consistent action when conditions align. Shortnose sturgeon are the prehistoric prize that keeps anglers coming back – these ancient fish can live over 60 years and reach impressive sizes. Fighting a sturgeon in the Columbia's current is like hooking into a underwater freight train, and the photo opportunities with these unique fish are always memorable.
Captain Jason's shared charters fill up fast, especially during peak salmon and sturgeon seasons. The combination of small group sizes, included gear, and his reputation for putting clients on fish makes this a customer favorite among Columbia River fishing trips. A non-refundable deposit holds your spot, and with only two anglers per trip, you're looking at a personalized fishing experience that's hard to find elsewhere. Whether you're targeting your first Columbia River salmon or hoping to tangle with a trophy sturgeon, Fish Food Guide Service delivers the local expertise and quality experience that keeps anglers coming back year after year. Don't wait – prime dates book weeks in advance, and you don't want to miss your chance at some of the best fishing the Pacific Northwest has to offer.
Fish Food Guide Service's 26-foot Alumaweld cuts through Columbia River waters with authority, powered by a 250HP Mercury that hits 40 knots when you need to reach the hot spots fast. Built in 2019, this fishing machine seats up to six anglers comfortably while you target salmon and sturgeon in Astoria's legendary waters. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when stealth matters most, while the fish finder and GPS combo helps Captain Jason put you right on the fish. When visibility drops, the onboard radar keeps you safe and moving. Between bites, crank up the multimedia system and grab cold drinks from the icebox. This boat's designed for serious Columbia River fishing – from trolling the shipping lanes to anchoring up for big sturgeon, everything's built to handle Oregon's dynamic river conditions and get you into fish.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon are the kings of the Columbia River - literally. These massive fish average 15-30 pounds but can push 40+ pounds during peak runs. They're silver-sided with black spots and prefer deeper water since they're light-sensitive, making early morning and evening prime fishing times. Spring and fall runs bring the best action, with spring fish being especially prized for their rich, red meat. Kings are powerful fighters that make long runs rather than jumping like coho. We target them by trolling plugs and spoons in the main channel, usually 15-40 feet down. What guests love most is the combination of size, fight, and incredible table quality - there's nothing like fresh king salmon. The key trick here is patience and heavy tackle. When you hook one, don't horse it - let the fish tire itself out with those powerful runs. We use downriggers to get baits deep where these bruisers cruise, and herring is often the ticket for big fish.
Oncorhynchus KetaChum salmon are the Columbia's underrated fighters, averaging 10-15 pounds with some reaching over 20. They're silver in the ocean but transform to olive-green with pink stripes when spawning. These fish make epic migrations - sometimes traveling 2,000 miles to reach their natal streams. Fall is prime time, especially October and November. What makes chum fishing exciting is their surprising strength and stamina once hooked. They're not flashy jumpers like coho, but they'll take you on long, bulldogging runs that test your gear. The meat is excellent when caught fresh from salt water. We find them in deeper pools and slower currents where they stage before spawning. Sight fishing is productive when you can see schools, but don't cast right into the group - they spook easily. Drop your line a few feet off the edge of the school instead. Chartreuse flies and pink spoons work well, and prawns are deadly bait when bottom fishing the deeper holes.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, or "silvers," are some of the most acrobatic fighters you'll hook on the Columbia. These beauties run 8-12 pounds typically, with their bright silver sides and dark blue-green backs making them easy to spot. What makes coho special is their jumping ability - they can leap 6 feet straight up when hooked. We find them in the deeper channels and around structure where baitfish gather. Fall runs are prime time, especially September through November when they're pushing upstream. The meat has that bright orange color everyone loves for the dinner table. Coho are famous for their aerial shows, so keep your rod tip down and drag loose when they go airborne. We usually troll with spoons or plugs in chartreuse and pink patterns. One tip: when you see them rolling on the surface, they're often not feeding, so look for fish holding deeper in the current seams.
Acipenser BrevirostrumShortnose sturgeon are prehistoric giants that call our Columbia River home, though they're fully protected under the Endangered Species Act - meaning catch and immediate release only. These armor-plated fish can reach 4-5 feet and live decades, using their whisker-like barbels to vacuum food from muddy bottoms. You'll find them in deeper holes and slower sections of the river where they hunt for mollusks and crustaceans. While we can't keep them, landing one is still a thrill - they're strong, stubborn fighters that test your patience. The experience of seeing a fish that's virtually unchanged for 70 million years is something special. If you hook into one accidentally while sturgeon fishing, handle with extreme care and get it back in the water fast. They're sensitive to warm water and stress, so we always use barbless hooks and heavy tackle to minimize fight time when targeting their larger white sturgeon cousins.
Astoria