8-Hour Oregon Coast Combo Fishing Adventure
Shared Trip
Offshore Fishing
8hour combo trip targets salmon, rockfish and crab offshoreCaptain Craig brings 30 years fishing experience to tripsAll fish cleaning and crab cooking services included
Captain Craig Izzi knows these waters like the back of his hand, and after 30 years running charters out of Garibaldi, he's perfected the art of putting fish in the boat. This 8-hour combo trip is where serious anglers come to load up on salmon, bottom fish, and fresh Dungeness crab all in one epic day on the water. From July through September, when the Oregon coast fishing is at its peak, you'll be targeting multiple species in some of the most productive waters on the Pacific coast. This isn't your typical tourist charter – it's a working fishing trip designed for folks who want to fill the cooler and experience what makes Oregon's offshore fishery world-class.
Your day starts early at the Garibaldi marina, where Captain Craig will have the boat prepped and ready to roll. The beauty of this combo trip is the variety – you're not stuck doing just one thing all day. We'll start by running out to the salmon grounds where the Chinook and Coho are feeding, then work our way to the rockpiles for lingcod and halibut, and drop crab pots along the way. The Oregon coast offers some of the most diverse fishing on the west coast, and this trip takes full advantage of that. You'll be fishing in 40 to 200 feet of water depending on what's biting, with the stunning Oregon coastline as your backdrop. Captain Craig reads the water conditions daily and adjusts the plan accordingly – some days the salmon are stacked up close to shore, other days we need to run further out to find the good bite.
We run a mix of techniques depending on what we're targeting. For salmon, it's primarily trolling with downriggers and diving planes, pulling cut-plug herring, anchovies, and various spoons and spinners at different depths until we find where they're feeding. The bottom fishing is straight forward – we anchor up or drift over structure using heavy jigs, large chunks of bait, and circle hooks to pull up lingcod, rockfish, and the occasional halibut. Crab pots go out early in the day and get pulled at the end, usually loaded with keeper Dungeness. All the gear is provided, from the rods and reels to the bait and tackle. Captain Craig runs quality equipment that can handle the big fish these waters produce. If you've got your own favorite rod, feel free to bring it, but everything you need is already on board.
Chinook Salmon are the kings of the Oregon coast, and for good reason. These bruisers can push 40 pounds or more, though most fish run in the 15-25 pound range. They're aggressive feeders during the summer months, and when you hook into one, you'll know it immediately. Chinook fight deep and strong, making long runs and testing your drag system. The meat is rich and oily, perfect for the grill or smoker. Peak season runs from July through early September when they're staging before heading into the rivers.
Coho Salmon bring a different kind of excitement to the mix. They're acrobatic fighters that love to jump and make surface runs, putting on a real show. Most Coho run 6-12 pounds, but they fight like fish twice their size. They're also excellent eating with firm, flaky meat that's more delicate than Chinook. Coho are often found in schools, so when you find them, you can usually put several in the boat quickly. They peak in August and early September off Garibaldi.
Lingcod are the ultimate bottom predator and one of the most fun fish to catch on the Oregon coast. These aggressive fish will hit just about anything that moves and fight hard all the way to the surface. They can grow massive – fish over 40 pounds aren't uncommon, and the state record is over 60 pounds. Lingcod have excellent white meat and are one of the best eating fish in the ocean. They're year-round residents, but summer offers the most consistent action when weather allows regular access to their rocky habitat.
Pacific Halibut are the prize catch for many bottom fishermen, and the waters off Garibaldi produce some quality fish. While the giant barn doors are rare this far south, fish in the 20-40 pound range show up regularly. Halibut are ambush predators that lie flat on sandy bottoms waiting for bait to swim by. They're powerful fighters that use their flat bodies to bulldoze toward the bottom. The meat is considered some of the finest in the ocean – firm, white, and mild-flavored.
Black Sea Bass round out the bottom fishing options and are excellent eating fish that don't get the respect they deserve. They're strong fighters that use the rocky structure to their advantage, trying to wrap you up in the kelp and rocks. Most fish run 2-8 pounds, perfect for the dinner table. They're abundant during the summer months and provide consistent action when the bigger fish are being finicky.
This combo trip offers the best value on the Oregon coast – eight hours of top-rated fishing targeting multiple species with an experienced captain who knows how to find fish. Captain Craig's 30-year reputation speaks for itself, and spots fill up fast during peak season. The included fish cleaning and crab cooking service means you'll head home with everything ready for the table. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking for a productive day on the water or someone wanting to experience what makes Oregon coast fishing special, this trip delivers. The season runs July 1st through September 30th, and the best fishing typically happens mid-July through early September when all species are active and weather conditions are most stable.
Set sail on Captain Craig's 29-foot D Tech aluminum fishing vessel, built tough for Oregon's coastal waters. This workhorse accommodates six anglers with room to move while you chase salmon, bottom fish, and pull crab pots. The 250 HP engine cuts through swells with confidence, while GPS navigation and fish finder technology help locate productive fishing grounds off Garibaldi's coast. Wheelchair accessible design means everyone can join the action. Keep your catch fresh in the onboard icebox, and the wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly into prime spots without spooking fish. Captain Craig's 30 years of local knowledge combined with this well-equipped boat creates the perfect platform for your 8-hour combo adventure on the Pacific.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass might not be our main Oregon Coast target, but when they show up, they're scrappy little fighters worth knowing about. These chunky fish usually run 2-4 pounds with dark, mottled coloring and distinctive white markings. They hang around rocky structure, wrecks, and jetties in depths under 120 feet. Late spring through summer is when you'll find them closer to shore. What's cool about black sea bass is they're all born female and change to male as they grow - the bigger ones are always males. They put up a solid fight for their size and make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. They'll hit cut squid, small jigs, and fish strips. If you're targeting rockfish around structure, don't be surprised if you hook into one of these tough little battlers mixed in with your catch.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon are the kings of the Pacific - the biggest salmon you can catch. These bruisers average 15-30 pounds in our waters and put up serious fights with powerful runs. They prefer deeper water and stay near the bottom during daylight, so we fish them with downriggers and weighted setups. July through September is prime time when they're moving through on their spawning migration. What makes kings special is that incredible reddish-pink meat and the sheer size - landing a 25-pound chinook is a memory that lasts forever. They feed on herring, anchovies, and squid in the deeper offshore waters. Best fishing is early morning or evening when they move up in the water column. Local tip: use a good fishfinder to locate bait schools, and fish just below them - that's where the big kings hunt.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, also called silvers, are pure dynamite on the line. These acrobatic fighters average 8-12 pounds and can jump up to 6 feet out of the water when hooked. You'll find them in our coastal waters from July through September, feeding on herring and smaller baitfish. What makes coho special is their aggressive strikes and that bright orange-red meat that tastes amazing on the table. They've got that classic silver body with black spots on the back and tail. During our summer season, they're moving through these waters on their way back to spawn. Pro tip: when you feel that initial hit, keep steady pressure but don't horse them - let them make their jumps and tire themselves out. The meat quality alone makes these fish worth targeting.
Ophiodon ElongatusLingcod aren't actually cod at all - they're greenlings with attitude. These gnarly-looking predators have massive heads, razor-sharp teeth, and can reach 20+ pounds in our local waters. Despite their scary appearance, they're actually pretty lazy fish that sit on rocky bottoms waiting to ambush prey. You'll find them in 30-300 feet around rocky structure and kelp beds. They're available year-round, but summer months are prime when they're more active. What guests love about ling is they fight hard once hooked, and the meat is excellent eating - firm white fillets perfect for fish and chips. They'll hit just about anything, from metal jigs to cut bait. My local trick: once you hook one, get it up quick before it dives back into the rocks and breaks you off.
Hippoglossus StenolepisPacific halibut are the barn doors of the ocean - massive flatfish that can weigh over 100 pounds. Most we catch run 20-40 pounds, but you never know when a real monster will grab your bait. These bottom-dwellers live in 150-500 feet of water over sandy and muddy bottoms. Summer is peak season when they move into shallower feeding areas. What makes halibut fishing special is the surprise factor - you might think you're snagged on the bottom until that "snag" starts swimming away. The meat is phenomenal - firm, white, and flaky. They hunt by lying flat and ambushing prey like salmon, cod, and crabs. We use heavy sinkers to get baits down and circle hooks with salmon heads or large herring. Pro tip: once you feel the bite, let them chew for 30 seconds before setting the hook - halibut are notorious bait stealers.
Garibaldi, OR, United States