Pro Anglers Combo: Salmon & Crab in Southern Oregon
Private Trip
River Fishing
Fullday combo trip targets salmon and crab simultaneouslyCovers seven premier Southern Oregon rivers and coastal watersExtended 810 hour duration maximizes fishing opportunities
Picture this: you're hauling in a chrome-bright Chinook while your crab pots are soaking just offshore, all in the same day. Matt Ford's Pro Anglers Combo Trip delivers exactly that kind of action-packed fishing experience across Southern Oregon's most productive waters. This isn't your typical half-day outing – we're talking 8 to 10 hours of serious angling that combines the best of both worlds. You'll work legendary rivers like the Rogue, North and South Umpqua, and coastal gems like the Chetco and Elk, while simultaneously running crab pots along the coast. It's a full-contact fishing day designed for anglers who know their way around a rod and want to make every hour count on the water.
This combo trip is all about maximizing your time and opportunities. We start early, hitting prime salmon runs when the fish are most active, then strategically move between river systems and coastal spots based on current conditions and seasonal patterns. The beauty of this setup is the variety – one minute you're drifting eggs through a deep pool on the Umpqua, the next you're checking crab pots loaded with Dungeness. Matt's decades of experience shine here, as he reads water conditions, tides, and fish behavior to put you on the most productive spots. The single-angler capacity means this is your private fishing clinic, where you get personalized instruction and undivided attention on technique refinement. Expect to cover serious ground, work different water types from fast riffles to deep holes, and experience the satisfaction of a well-planned fishing strategy executed perfectly.
All your fishing and crabbing gear comes included, which means you're using professional-grade equipment optimized for Southern Oregon conditions. We're talking quality salmon rods matched with smooth reels, fresh leader material, and proven lure selections that have been putting fish in the boat for years. Crabbing gear includes proper pots, bait, and measuring tools to ensure we're following all regulations. Techniques vary by location and conditions, but expect to master drift fishing with cured eggs, back-bouncing with spinners, and proper crab pot placement and timing. The rivers here demand different approaches – the Rogue fishes differently than the Chetco, and Matt adapts tactics accordingly. You'll learn to read water structure, identify holding lies, and understand how seasonal migrations affect fish positioning. For crabbing, it's all about timing, bait selection, and knowing the productive zones where Dungeness congregate.
Steelhead Trout represent the crown jewel of Pacific Northwest angling, and Southern Oregon's rivers hold some of the most aggressive fish you'll encounter. These chrome-sided fighters typically run 6 to 12 pounds, with occasional monsters pushing 15-plus. Winter steelhead peak from December through March, while summer runs show up June through October. What makes steelhead special is their fight – they're aerial acrobats that will test your drag system and reflexes. The way they use current to their advantage, making blistering runs downstream, creates some of the most heart-pounding moments in freshwater fishing. Lingcod patrol the rocky coastal structure and can grow massive – we're talking 20 to 40-pound fish that look prehistoric and fight like they're angry about it. These ambush predators hit hard and don't give up easy, making them a favorite target when we're working the coastal waters. Peak lingcod action runs from late spring through early fall when they're actively feeding. Yelloweye Rockfish add another dimension to the coastal fishing, with their distinctive red coloration and excellent table fare. These bottom dwellers can live over 100 years and grow to impressive sizes, making each hookup a potential trophy. They're found around deep rocky structure and provide steady action when salmon fishing slows. Chinook Salmon are the main event for many anglers – Oregon's king salmon can reach 30-plus pounds and provide world-class fishing from late spring through fall. These fish are built for power, making sustained runs that will have you wondering if your knots will hold. Fresh Chinook are some of the finest eating fish in the ocean, and the combination of size, fight, and table quality makes them the most sought-after species on our combo trips.
The Pro Anglers Combo Trip represents the best value for serious anglers who want to experience everything Southern Oregon waters have to offer. You're getting a full day with a top-rated guide, professional equipment, and access to multiple fisheries that most visitors never see. The single-angler format means this is truly your day on the water, customized to your skill level and interests. Remember to bring your valid Oregon fishing license, plus food and drinks for the long day ahead. With deposits being non-refundable, securing your preferred date early is essential, especially during peak salmon seasons. This isn't just another guided trip – it's your chance to fish like a local pro and experience the diverse angling opportunities that make Southern Oregon a world-class fishing destination. Don't let another season pass without experiencing what these waters can deliver when you have the right guide and game plan.
Jump aboard our 17-foot Willy's Drift Boat for a perfect day chasing salmon through Southern Oregon's legendary waters. This 2012 beauty comes rigged with a reliable 10-hp Yamaha that's ideal for drifting the currents of the Rogue, Umpqua, and Chetco rivers. Built specifically for river fishing, she handles like a dream while you work the deeper holes and productive runs where the big Chinook hang out. The boat's design gives you excellent casting room and stability when you're fighting fish, plus easy access to all your gear. Whether we're floating through canyon walls or working the tidal stretches, this drift boat puts you right where the salmon are feeding. Perfect for serious anglers who want to cover water efficiently while staying comfortable during those long 8-10 hour combo trips targeting both salmon and setting crab pots.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the giants of our rivers, with fish regularly hitting 20-40 pounds in Southern Oregon waters. These silver bullets with black-spotted backs and tails make epic runs from the ocean into our rivers like the Rogue and Umpqua. Spring and fall runs offer the best action, with fresh fish full of fight and excellent table fare. What sets kings apart is their sheer power - they'll strip line and test every knot you tied. The rich, red meat is restaurant-quality. They're light-sensitive, so focus on deeper holes and runs, especially early morning or evening. Trolling works great in the lower river, while drift fishing excels in the upper reaches. Pro tip: when you hook one, let them run initially - trying to horse a big king too early usually ends with a straightened hook or broken line.
Ophiodon ElongatusDon't let the name fool you - these aren't cod at all, but aggressive greenlings with massive heads and razor-sharp teeth. Females can reach 30+ pounds while males stay smaller, around 10-15 pounds. They hang out in rocky areas from 30-300 feet deep, using their mottled coloring to ambush anything that swims by. Best part about lingcod? They're available year-round and once hooked, they fight dirty with powerful head shakes. The white, flaky meat is top-notch eating too. They're ambush predators, so they'll often grab your bait and just sit there - don't set the hook until you feel steady weight. Here's what works: drop a heavy metal jig right into the rocks where they live. When you feel that thump, reel steady and keep pressure on them or they'll wrap you up in the structure below.
Oncorhynchus mykissThese sea-run rainbow trout are the ultimate prize in Southern Oregon rivers. After 2-3 years in the ocean, they return to our rivers as silver, powerful fighters averaging 24 inches and 6-12 pounds. You'll find them in deeper pools and runs with good current, especially around structure like boulders and fallen timber. Peak season runs from late fall through early spring when fresh fish push upstream. What makes steelhead special is their raw power and acrobatic jumps - they'll test your skills like no other fish. The meat is outstanding too, with that distinctive pink color. Here's a local trick: when drifting bait through a run, make sure your weight just ticks the bottom. Too heavy and you'll spook them, too light and you won't get down to where they're holding.
Sebastes RuberrimusThese bright orange beauties with their signature yellow eyes are some of the longest-lived fish in the ocean - some reach over 100 years old. They typically run 5-15 pounds, though bigger ones lurk in deeper water. You'll find them on rocky bottom from 60-600 feet, with older fish preferring the deeper spots. The meat is sweet and delicate, making them highly prized at the dinner table. They're available most of the year, but regulations are strict to protect the population. What makes them tricky is they live right in the rocks where they can break you off easily. Once you hook one, you need to muscle them up and away from structure immediately. Local tip: use a stout rod with heavy line and don't give them an inch - the second you feel that bite, start reeling and don't stop until they're clear of the bottom.
Oregon