Tuna Charter – $425 Winchester Bay
Shared Trip
Offshore Fishing
Offshore albacore tuna fishing aboard 2018 Hewescraft with GPS$425 per person with 3person minimum requirementAll rods, tackle, and expert guidance included
Looking for some serious offshore action? Mark LaDuke's tuna charters out of Winchester Bay are where you want to be when those Albacore start running. At $425 per person, you're getting a full day chasing some of the fastest, hardest-fighting fish on the Oregon coast. Captain Mark knows these waters like the back of his hand, and his 2018 Hewescraft is rigged with all the electronics you need to find fish in the blue water. We're talking GPS, fish finder, and years of local knowledge that'll put you on the bite when others are just burning fuel.
Your day starts early at Salmon Harbor Marina's T Dock – that's where you'll meet Captain Mark and get the rundown. This isn't your typical near-shore trip; we're heading out to where the water turns from green to blue, chasing those warm currents where Albacore love to hang. The ride out can be anywhere from 15 to 40 miles depending on where the fish are holding, but that's all part of the hunt. Mark's boat handles the offshore conditions beautifully, and with a 3-person minimum, you've got plenty of room to fight fish without getting tangled up. All your rods, tackle, and terminal gear are provided – Mark's got the setup dialed in with the right trolling gear and knows exactly what these fish want. Just bring your valid Oregon fishing license, some snacks, and get ready for some arm-burning action.
Albacore fishing is all about covering water and reading conditions. We'll be trolling at speeds between 6-8 knots, running a spread of feathers, hoochies, and sometimes live bait when the conditions are right. Mark's got the boat rigged with outriggers and downriggers to keep your lines separated and in the strike zone. The key is finding that temperature break where the warm water meets the cold – that's where these fish set up to feed. You'll be working medium-heavy tackle that can handle the initial screaming runs but still gives you the feel of the fight. When we mark fish on the finder, we might switch to chunking or even throw some jigs if they're up shallow. The GPS keeps us on productive water, but it's Mark's eye for reading the ocean that really makes the difference. Water color, bird activity, bait schools – he's constantly adjusting the approach based on what the ocean is telling him.
Albacore Tuna are the reason anglers make the long run offshore, and for good reason. These torpedo-shaped speedsters typically run 15-35 pounds in these waters, though bigger fish always show up to surprise you. They're incredibly strong swimmers – built for the open ocean – and when you hook one, you'll know it immediately. That first run can peel 200 yards of line off your reel before you even realize what happened. Albacore are warm-water fish that follow the currents north from California waters, usually arriving off the Oregon coast in July and sticking around through September. The best fishing often happens when water temperatures hit that sweet spot between 60-65 degrees. What makes them so exciting to catch isn't just the fight – though that initial run and the bulldogging power will test your arms – it's also that you're dealing with some of the best eating fish in the ocean. Fresh Albacore is nothing like what you get in a can. The meat is firm, clean, and perfect for searing, grilling, or even making into sushi-grade steaks.
Mark LaDuke's tuna charters book up fast once word gets out that the fish are in. With over two decades guiding these waters, he's built a reputation for putting clients on quality fish when conditions line up. The combination of his local knowledge, top-notch equipment, and genuine passion for offshore fishing makes this one of the best tuna operations running out of Winchester Bay. At $425 per person, you're getting excellent value for a full day of offshore fishing with everything provided except your license. Whether you're a seasoned saltwater angler or someone looking to cross Albacore off your bucket list, this trip delivers the goods. The season runs roughly July through September, but the best action often happens in short windows when conditions align perfectly. Don't wait until everyone's talking about the bite – by then, the calendar fills up quick and you might miss your shot at some of the most exciting fishing the Pacific has to offer.
Captain Mark LaDuke's 2018 Hewescraft cuts through Pacific swells like a knife, chasing Albacore in the warm offshore currents where these speedsters feed. This 23.8-footer packs serious punch with its 150 HP Yamaha main and 9.9 kicker for trolling precision. The GPS keeps you on track to productive water while the fish finder marks schools below. Built tough for Oregon's demanding waters, this Hewescraft handles the offshore grind whether you're battling hard-fighting tuna or working the bottom for rockfish and halibut. The boat's stable platform gives you room to fight fish without getting in each other's way. When tuna are running hot, you'll appreciate the reliable power and electronics that put you on fish fast. Mark provides all rods, tackle, and the local knowledge that separates good days from great ones. Just bring your license and get ready to work—these tuna don't give up easy.
Winchester Bay