Private Fall Salmon Trolling Charter
Shared Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 8hour salmon trolling for Coho and ChinookAll skill levels welcome with gear and guidance includedTargets productive grounds in Coos Bay and Winchester Bay
When the leaves start changing and the Pacific Northwest gets that crisp fall air, you know it's prime time for salmon fishing on Oregon's coast. Josh Sutch Guide Service runs a top-rated private 8-hour trolling charter out of Coos Bay and Winchester Bay that puts you right in the heart of the fall salmon run. This isn't some crowded party boat deal – we're talking about a focused, intimate fishing experience for just two anglers where you get personalized attention and access to the most productive salmon grounds in the area.
Your day starts early at either Coos Bay or Winchester Bay, depending on where the fish are biting best. Captain Josh has been working these waters for years, and he knows exactly where the Coho and Fall Chinook like to hang out during different tides and weather conditions. The 8-hour trip gives you plenty of time to work the best spots without feeling rushed. You'll launch into some of Oregon's most consistent salmon waters, where the Coos River and Umpqua River systems dump nutrients that draw baitfish – and the salmon that chase them. The boat stays comfortable even when the action heats up, with enough space for two anglers to fish without getting tangled up in each other's lines. Josh keeps things organized and safe while making sure you understand what's happening every step of the way, whether you've been salmon fishing for decades or this is your first time holding a downrigger rod.
Trolling for salmon is an art form, and you'll get hands-on instruction in the techniques that consistently produce fish in these waters. We're using downriggers to get your lures down to where the salmon are feeding, typically anywhere from 15 to 60 feet depending on the day. The boat comes loaded with all the gear you need – quality rods, reels spooled with fresh line, and a tackle box full of proven lures and flashers. You'll learn how to read the fish finder, adjust your trolling speed, and recognize when a salmon is playing with your gear versus when it's time to set the hook. The captain rotates between different lure colors and sizes based on water conditions and what the fish are showing interest in. Herring, anchovies, and various spoons all have their place in the rotation. The key is staying mobile and adapting to what the salmon want on any given day. Josh teaches you the little details that separate successful salmon anglers from guys who just drag lures around hoping for the best.
Fall is when serious salmon anglers make their plans, and these Coos Bay and Winchester Bay waters deliver year after year. The Coho salmon run typically peaks in late September and October, bringing bright, aggressive fish fresh from the ocean into the bay systems. These silvers fight like crazy and make some of the best eating you'll find. Fall Chinook start showing up in good numbers through September and into November, with some real bruiser fish in the mix. Local anglers have been pulling some beautiful salmon out of the lower bays, with Coho running 8 to 15 pounds and Fall Chinook going anywhere from 15 to 30-plus pounds. The bite has been most consistent during the morning hours and again in late afternoon as the tide changes. Water temperatures have been perfect for keeping the fish active and feeding aggressively. Recent trips have been producing steady action, with most boats getting multiple hookups when they're fishing the right areas with proper technique.
Chinook Salmon are the kings of the Pacific, and fall is prime time to tangle with these powerful fish in Oregon waters. Also called King salmon, these bruisers can push 30 pounds or more and will test every bit of your tackle and technique. Fall Chinook are known for their incredible strength and stamina – they'll make long runs, jump, and generally do everything possible to throw your hooks. What makes them special here is that they're fresh from the ocean, bright silver, and in peak fighting condition. The best fishing happens when they're staged in the lower bays before heading upriver to spawn. These fish love deeper water and structure, which is why trolling with downriggers is so effective. When you hook into a big Fall Chinook, you'll know it immediately – they hit hard and don't give up easy.
Coho Salmon bring a different kind of excitement to your fishing day. These silver rockets are pound-for-pound some of the scrappiest fish in the ocean, known for their acrobatic jumps and never-quit attitude. Coho typically run smaller than Chinook, usually 8 to 15 pounds in these waters, but what they lack in size they make up for in pure fight. They're also considered by many anglers to be the best eating salmon you can catch. Fall Coho are aggressive feeders, often hitting lures with authority and putting on an aerial show once hooked. They tend to school up more than Chinook, so when you find them, you can often catch multiple fish from the same area. Coho love flashy presentations and will often chase down fast-moving lures, making them perfect targets for trolling operations.
Fall salmon season doesn't last forever, and the best fishing windows can fill up fast with local anglers and visiting fishermen who know when to be here. This private charter gives you the flexibility to fish at your own pace without dealing with crowds or other people's fishing styles. Josh provides all the gear, knowledge, and boat handling skills you need – you just bring yourself and get ready for some world-class salmon fishing. The 8-hour timeframe gives you a real shot at getting into multiple species and learning techniques you can use for years to come. Whether you're looking to fill the freezer with quality salmon fillets or just want to experience some of Oregon's best inshore fishing, this trip delivers the goods. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so once you book,
This restored 2023 Willie Boats 22-footer cuts through Coos Bay waters with serious intent. The 240HP Mercury pushes this jet boat to 38 knots, getting you to prime salmon grounds fast and keeping you ahead of changing conditions. Built tough for Oregon's coastal waters, she handles the chop while you focus on working your gear through productive zones. The GPS keeps you on productive structure while the fish finder shows what's swimming below. With room for six anglers and all the trolling space you need, this boat lets you spread out lines properly and work the water methodically. The jet drive means you can fish shallow areas other boats can't reach, opening up more water to chase those fall Chinook and Coho runs.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights of our local waters, running 12-39 inches and typically weighing 7-15 pounds, though we see plenty over 20 pounds during fall runs. These silver-sided bruisers with blue-green backs stay deep most of the day since they're light-sensitive, so we troll with weighted gear to get down where they're holding. Fall is prime time here in Coos Bay and Winchester Bay when mature fish move through on their spawning migration. What makes kings special is that hard-pulling fight combined with their rich, orange-pink meat that's perfect for the dinner table. My go-to tip: when trolling, don't be afraid to go deeper than you think - these fish often sit 40-60 feet down during daylight hours, and that's where the big ones are waiting.
Oncorhynchus KisutchSilver salmon are the acrobats of the salmon world, jumping up to 6 feet when hooked and putting on a show that gets everyone on the boat excited. These fish typically run 12-30 inches and weigh 8-12 pounds, with bright silver sides that flash in the water. Coho prefer the mid-water column and often feed closer to the surface than their king salmon cousins, making them perfect targets for our trolling setup. Fall brings the best action as they stage in our bays before heading upriver. What guests love most is their aggressive strikes and that spectacular jumping fight - plus their bright red meat makes for outstanding eating. Pro tip: when a coho hits, keep steady pressure but don't horse them - let them jump and tire themselves out, or they'll throw the hook with those aerial stunts.
Coos Bay