Expert Guided 8-Hour Bottom Fishing in Garibaldi Waters
Shared Trip
Offshore Fishing
8hour bottom fishing adventure off Oregon's scenic coastSmall group charter accommodates just 2 guests maximumFish cleaning and crab cooking services included onboard
When you're looking for serious bottom fishing action off the Oregon Coast, Captain Craig Izzi's 8-hour shared charter out of Garibaldi delivers the goods. This isn't your typical crowded boat experience – with just 2 anglers max, you'll get the personal attention and prime fishing spots that make all the difference. We're talking about targeting some of the Pacific Northwest's most prized bottom dwellers: lingcod, yellowtail rockfish, Pacific halibut, and black sea bass. Plus, Craig throws in all the cleaning and even cooks up any crab you pull in. That's the kind of service that keeps anglers coming back season after season.
Your day starts early at Garibaldi's boat launch, where Captain Craig will have the gear rigged and ready to roll. The beauty of bottom fishing off Garibaldi is the variety – one drop you're pulling up a monster lingcod, the next you've got a feisty rockfish putting up a fight. Craig knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's not shy about sharing 30+ years of local knowledge. You'll be fishing depths anywhere from 80 to 300 feet, depending on conditions and what's biting. The intimate 2-person setup means you're not fighting for rod space or waiting your turn – when fish are on the bite, you'll be ready. Ocean conditions dictate our schedule here on the coast, but that's just part of respecting the Pacific and fishing smart.
Bottom fishing success comes down to understanding structure, bait presentation, and having the patience to work productive water. Captain Craig rigs up with heavy sinkers – usually 16 to 32 ounces depending on current and depth – to get your bait down fast and keep it in the strike zone. We're talking circle hooks loaded with fresh herring, anchovies, or squid, rigged on multi-hook spreader bars that let you cover different levels of the water column. The key is feeling that bottom tap and keeping your bait just off the rocks where these fish feed. When a big ling grabs your offering 200 feet down, you'll know it – they hit hard and fight dirty, using every rock crevice they can find. Craig provides all the tackle, from the heavy conventional reels spooled with 50-pound test to the stout 7-foot rods that can handle these Oregon bruisers.
Lingcod are the true trophy of Oregon bottom fishing, and for good reason. These prehistoric-looking predators can stretch over 4 feet and weigh 40+ pounds, with mouths full of needle-sharp teeth that'll make you respect the dehooking process. They're most active during spring and summer months, lurking around rocky structure in 100-300 feet of water. What makes them special isn't just their size – it's their aggressive nature and the way they'll absolutely crush your bait. Land a quality ling and you've got some of the best eating fish on the West Coast.
Yellowtail rockfish bring consistent action to your bottom fishing trip, typically running 2-5 pounds with beautiful yellow fins and a scrappy attitude. These guys school up over rocky reefs and are active year-round, though fall and winter fishing can be particularly hot. They're perfect for keeping your rod bent between the bigger fish, and their sweet, flaky meat makes them a favorite for fish and chips. Don't let their smaller size fool you – in 200 feet of water, even a 3-pound yellowtail will give you a workout.
Pacific halibut represent the ultimate prize for Oregon bottom fishers – these flatfish can grow massive, with 100+ pounders caught in local waters. Summer months offer the best halibut action, when they move into shallower water to feed. What makes halibut special is their size potential and the way they fight – long, powerful runs that'll test your drag and your arms. The meat is legendary, firm and white with a mild flavor that's perfect for grilling or frying.
Black sea bass round out your target list with their distinctive copper coloration and solid 3-8 pound average size. They prefer deeper water and rocky structure, making them a perfect fit for our bottom fishing approach. These fish are most active during warmer months and provide excellent table fare with firm, white meat. They're also one of the more photogenic catches, with their bronze coloring and robust build making for great photos before release or harvest.
Bottom fishing with Captain Craig isn't just about the fish you'll catch – though the lingcod, rockfish, halibut, and sea bass action speaks for itself. It's about experiencing the Oregon Coast's best fishing with a captain who knows how to put you on fish consistently. The 2-angler limit means personalized service, prime fishing time, and the kind of attention to detail that turns a good fishing day into a great one. With all cleaning included and crab cooking thrown in, you'll head home with a cooler full of premium Pacific seafood and stories that'll last a lifetime. Ocean conditions change daily out here, so flexibility is key – but when conditions line up, there's no better place to wet a line than off the Garibaldi coast.
Captain Craig's 29-foot D Tech aluminum fishing vessel cuts through Oregon's coastal waters with confidence, powered by a reliable 250 HP engine that gets you to the productive bottom fishing grounds efficiently. This well-equipped boat comfortably handles up to six anglers and comes loaded with everything serious fishermen need - advanced GPS navigation to find the hot spots, fish finder technology to locate lingcod and rockfish below, and a spacious icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. The wireless trolling motor lets you maneuver quietly over structure without spooking fish. Built with accessibility in mind, the boat welcomes anglers with disabilities and features wheelchair-friendly access. With Craig's local knowledge of Oregon's waters and the boat's solid construction, you'll spend your day focused on what matters most - hooking into bottom dwellers like halibut, cabezon, and Dungeness crab while staying comfortable on the water.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are solid fighters that hang around structure like wrecks, rocky reefs, and jetties in 40-120 feet of water. They're chunky fish with distinctive white markings on dark bodies - males can turn bright blue during spawning and develop a big hump on their heads. Most run 1-4 pounds, but 6-8 pounders show up fairly often. They're curious fish that will investigate baits and lures, making them fun targets for both bottom rigs and jigs. Late spring through summer is when they're most active in shallower water, though we catch them year-round. They put up a great scrap until they hit the surface, then usually give up. The meat is excellent - firm, white, and sweet. These fish are smart, so if the bite slows down, try switching from bait to small jigs or moving to a different piece of structure nearby.
Ophiodon ElongatusThese gnarly-looking predators are what bottom fishing dreams are made of. Despite the name, they're actually greenlings with massive heads, wicked sharp teeth, and mottled coloring that helps them blend into rocky structure. Most run 15-30 inches, but monsters over 40 inches show up regularly. You'll find them tucked into rocky reefs and kelp forests from 30-300 feet, using those big mouths to ambush anything that swims by. They're aggressive fighters that don't give up easy, and the meat is fantastic - firm and white. Best fishing is year-round here, but spring through fall gives you the most consistent action. Pro tip: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and get them up quick - they love to wrap around rocks and cut you off.
Hippoglossus StenolepisPacific halibut are the ultimate Oregon bottom fish - these flatfish can grow massive, with 50-200 pounders being real possibilities. Most of what we catch runs 20-80 pounds, but that's still enough fish to feed the whole family. They sit on sandy and muddy bottoms in 150-600 feet, using their camouflage to ambush prey. Summer is prime time when they move into shallower feeding areas, though we catch them year-round in deeper water. The fight is something else - they make long, powerful runs and don't quit easy. The meat is world-class, firm and white with a mild flavor that's hard to beat. These fish hunt by scent in deep water, so fresh bait is key. My trick: use a 1-2 pound weight to get down fast, then work your bait in slow lifts off bottom to trigger strikes.
Sebastes FlavidusYellowtails are one of the most reliable catches we see out here, schooling up over rocky bottoms and reefs in good numbers. They're easy to spot with that bright yellow tail fin and olive-brown body that fades to white on the belly. Most run 11-15 inches, though we occasionally see them push over 20. Unlike other rockfish, these guys handle the pressure change well when you bring them up, so release mortality is low. They hang out anywhere from 60-600 feet, but the sweet spot is usually 120-250 feet over structure. The bite stays consistent most of the year, with summer and fall being prime time. They're not huge fighters, but they're steady pullers and the meat is mild and flaky - perfect for the dinner table. Fish a 30-foot leader above your weight to keep them off bottom.
Garibaldi, OR, United States