Oregon Wreck Fishing with Captain Craig
Shared Trip
Wrecks/Reefs Fishing
8-hour deep reef and bottom fishing adventureCaptain Craig Izzi guides small 2-person groupsOctober through November Pacific waters targeting
When October rolls around, the Oregon coast transforms into one of the Pacific Northwest's best-kept fishing secrets. Captain Craig Izzi runs these waters like he owns them, and after decades guiding anglers to the productive wrecks and reefs off Garibaldi, he pretty much does. This 8-hour shared charter takes just two guests at a time, so you're not fighting crowds or waiting your turn. You'll spend your day working the deep structure where big fish live, from sunken vessels to rocky pinnacles that rise from the ocean floor. The season runs through November 30th, giving you a solid two-month window to experience some of Oregon's most consistent bottom fishing action.
Captain Craig's approach to wreck fishing is straightforward – find the structure, position the boat right, and let the fish tell you what they want. You'll launch from Garibaldi's protected harbor and make the run to his favorite spots, which include both natural reefs and man-made structure. The boat comes equipped with everything you need for bottom fishing success: quality rods, reels spooled with appropriate line, and a tackle box full of proven rigs. Most of your day involves dropping heavy jigs and bait rigs down 80 to 200 feet, feeling for that telltale tap-tap of a fish picking up your offering. The captain watches the sounder constantly, marking schools of bait and adjusting position to keep you over the most productive water. Weather can change quickly out here, but the sturdy vessel handles Oregon's coastal conditions with ease, and Craig's local knowledge keeps you fishing safely all day long.
Wreck fishing requires a different mindset than trolling or casting. You're fishing vertically, often in strong current, so everything about your setup needs to account for depth and drift. The captain rigs you up with 20 to 40-ounce sinkers depending on conditions, because getting your bait down to the fish quickly is crucial. Most productive rigs include a combination of large hooks baited with herring, squid, or rockfish. Lingcod love big baits presented right on the bottom, while halibut often hit baits drifted just off the structure. The key technique involves dropping your rig until it hits bottom, then cranking up a few turns and staying alert for bites. Fish this deep don't mess around – when they hit, you'll know it. Captain Craig coaches you through fighting fish in heavy current, teaching you when to pump and wind versus when to just hold on and let the drag do its job. The electric downriggers and fish finder technology make all the difference in staying productive throughout the day.
Black Sea Bass might not be the biggest fish in these waters, but they're definitely some of the tastiest. These chunky bottom dwellers hang around rocky structure year-round, but fall fishing finds them feeding heavily before winter. Most fish run 2 to 8 pounds, with their firm white meat making them a favorite for the dinner table. They're aggressive biters once you locate a school, often providing fast action when other species are being finicky. The best part about bass fishing is they travel in groups, so once you hook one, there are usually more down there waiting.
Atlantic Halibut represent the holy grail of this fishery – these flatfish can reach truly impressive sizes and provide the kind of fight that makes your arms burn. Oregon's halibut season varies year to year, but when they're biting, nothing compares to the steady, powerful runs these fish make. A 20-pound halibut is a nice fish, while anything over 40 pounds gets the camera out. They're ambush predators that lay buried in sand near structure, waiting for baitfish to swim by. The meat is absolutely incredible, with thick fillets that work for everything from grilling to fish tacos.
Lingcod are the bullies of the reef, and catching one never gets old. These toothy predators can exceed 30 pounds, with their massive mouths capable of inhaling surprisingly large prey. October through November finds them aggressive and feeding heavily, making this timeframe ideal for targeting trophy-sized fish. Lingcod fight dirty, using their powerful bodies and the structure to try breaking you off. The bright blue meat might look strange, but it cooks up white and flaky with a mild flavor that works for any recipe.
Chinook Salmon add a different dimension to these deep water trips, especially when they're staging near coastal structure before heading to rivers. Fall kings are thick, silver, and absolutely delicious after months of ocean feeding. These fish fight differently than bottom species, making long runs and jumping when hooked. A 20-pound Chinook represents world-class fishing, and the Oregon coast consistently produces fish in that size range during the fall months.
Rainbow Trout in saltwater might sound unusual, but steelhead do spend time in nearshore waters, and catching one on a bottom rig is always a surprise. These acrobatic fish jump repeatedly when hooked, providing excitement that breaks up a day of steady bottom fishing. Most ocean-caught steelhead are hatchery fish, making them legal to keep and excellent eating.
Fall weather windows don't last forever on the Oregon coast, and Captain Craig's two-guest limit means spots fill up fast among local anglers who know what they're getting. This isn't a cattle boat experience where you're elbow-to-elbow with strangers – you'll have room to fish properly and personal attention from a captain who's been working these waters longer than most guides have been alive. The combination of productive fishing grounds, quality equipment, and small group size creates the kind of fishing trip that keeps you thinking about your next booking before you even get back to the dock. Whether you're after halibut for the freezer, lingcod for bragging rights, or just a solid day of Oregon bottom fishing, this charter delivers the goods
Captain Craig's 29-foot D Tech aluminum fishing boat cuts through Oregon's coastal waters with confidence, powered by a reliable 250 HP engine that gets you to the productive bottom fishing spots efficiently. This well-designed vessel accommodates up to six anglers with plenty of room to work your lines without crowding each other. The advanced electronics package includes GPS navigation and fish finder technology to locate those deep reef structures where lingcod, rockfish, and other bottom dwellers hang out. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during the full 8-hour trip. The boat features wheelchair accessibility, so Captain Craig welcomes guests with disabilities to join the action. A wireless trolling motor allows for quiet positioning over sensitive fishing areas without spooking the fish below. Whether you're targeting the rocky reefs or working the deeper water structures off Garibaldi, this aluminum fishing platform provides the stability and features needed for productive bottom fishing in Pacific Northwest waters.
Hippoglossus HippoglossusAtlantic Halibut are the giants of the flatfish world, with most catches running 30-50 pounds, though monsters over 100 pounds still cruise our deeper waters. These bottom-huggers live in 150-500 feet, preferring cold water around 40°F over sandy and rocky bottoms. They're active year-round but fishing peaks during our fall season when they move into shallower feeding areas. What draws anglers is the combination of their impressive size and the long, tough battle they provide - plus they're absolutely delicious eating. These fish are ambush predators that'll grab just about anything, from squid to whole mackerel. The key is getting down to them with heavy sinkers and letting your boat drift naturally. Here's something most anglers miss: once you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't try to horse them up too fast. They'll tire themselves out if you're patient, and that saves your back and your tackle.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are chunky fighters from the grouper family that'll surprise you with their strength. Most run 2-4 pounds, but we see some pushing 8+ pounds around deeper structures. They love hanging around rocky bottoms, wrecks, and jetties in 60-120 feet of water during our fall season. What makes them special is they're actually born female and change to males as they grow - the big blue-headed males are the real trophies. They hit bottom rigs hard and make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. These fish are light-sensitive, so they bite best early morning and late afternoon. Here's a local trick: when you feel that first tap, don't set the hook immediately - let them take it and run a bit first, then set hard. They've got tough mouths, and that extra second makes all the difference between landing dinner and watching your bait swim away.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon, or King salmon, are the heavyweight champions of our waters, typically running 15-25 pounds with some bruisers hitting 40+ pounds. These silver-sided beauties prefer deeper, cooler water and are light-sensitive, so they stay down during bright days. Our fall season is prime time as they stage before their spawning runs. What makes Kings special is their incredible fighting power combined with that rich, orange-red meat that's unmatched on the dinner table. They'll make long runs and test every part of your tackle. These fish cruise at various depths depending on water temperature and bait, so we use downriggers to get plugs and spoons down to where they're holding. The trick with Kings is patience - when one hits, don't get excited and try to winch it up. Let your drag work and keep steady pressure. They'll wear themselves out, and you'll land more fish with less broken tackle.
Ophiodon ElongatusLingcod are the ugliest fish you'll be happy to catch, with their massive heads full of sharp teeth and mottled green-brown coloring. Despite the name, they're not actually cod but aggressive predators that average 5-15 pounds, with the occasional 30+ pounder. These bottom-dwellers love rocky reefs and kelp beds from 30-200 feet deep, where they ambush anything that swims by. They're available year-round but really turn on during our fall season when they're feeding heavily before winter. What makes them popular is their willingness to bite, aggressive fight, and excellent white meat that's perfect for fish tacos. They're not fast swimmers - they'd rather fight than flee when hooked. Use heavy jigs and work them right along the bottom near structure. Pro tip: once you get one off the bottom, keep reeling steadily. If you give them slack, they'll dive straight back into the rocks and you'll lose them every time.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout are scrappy fighters that average 8-16 inches, though we occasionally see beauties pushing 20+ inches. They prefer clean, cold water between 55-64°F and love areas with good cover like submerged rocks, fallen trees, and undercut banks. These fish are active feeders during cooler parts of the day - early morning and evening are prime times. What guests love most is their acrobatic fight - they'll jump, run, and test your drag like few other fish their size. The meat is excellent too, with that distinctive pink flesh that's perfect grilled or pan-fried. During our season, focus on deeper pools where the water stays cooler. My go-to tip: keep your bait moving naturally with the current. Dead-drifting works better than most anglers think, and using a small split shot about 18 inches above your hook helps get down to where they're feeding without spooking them in clear water.
Garibaldi, OR, United States