Oregon Coast Tuna Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day offshore tuna fishing charters targeting Albacore July-SeptemberCaptain Will Merritt brings 35 years experience tracking productive schoolsEarly 5 AM departures maximize time in prime fishing zones
Captain Will Merritt's full-day tuna charters out of Charleston are the real deal for serious anglers wanting to tangle with some of the Pacific's fastest fish. With 35 years running these waters, Will knows exactly where to find the schools when the tuna are running hot between July and September. This isn't your typical inshore trip – we're talking about heading way out into the blue water where the big pelagics roam. The early 5 AM departure means you'll be sipping coffee in the dark, but trust me, it's worth every minute when you're hooked up to a screaming albacore by mid-morning.
This charter runs on a fast 22-foot sport fishing boat that's built to get you to the productive grounds quickly and safely. Will's got this dialed in – he tracks water temps, reads the charts, and follows the bird life to put you right where the action is. The boat handles the Oregon swells well, but let's be honest about what you're signing up for. This is offshore fishing, which means we're dealing with ocean conditions that can test your sea legs. If you're not comfortable with bigger swells and open water, this probably isn't your trip. But if you can handle the ride, you'll be fishing some of the most productive tuna grounds on the West Coast. Everything you need is provided – heavy-duty tackle that can handle these powerful fish, all the terminal gear, and most importantly, Will's decades of experience reading these waters. The guy's been doing this since before GPS was a thing, and he still outfishes boats loaded with the latest electronics.
We're trolling for these tuna, plain and simple. It's the most effective way to cover water and locate the schools in the vast blue water off Charleston. Will runs a spread of lures at different depths and distances, adjusting speed and presentation based on conditions and what the fish are telling him. The tackle is stepped up from what you'd use inshore – we're talking heavy conventional reels spooled with plenty of line because these fish can strip drag like you wouldn't believe. Albacore especially are known for their blistering initial runs, and you'll need every yard of that line when a good one decides to head for Japan. The lures we use are specifically chosen for Oregon tuna – certain colors and sizes that have proven themselves in these waters over the years. Will's got his favorites, and he's not shy about sharing what works and why. You'll learn about trolling speed, lure action, and how to read the signs that indicate tuna are in the area. Bird activity is huge – when you see the right kind of diving and circling, there's usually baitfish below, and where there's bait, there are tuna.
The albacore have been the stars of the show during the peak summer months, with fish running anywhere from 12 to 30 pounds providing steady action when conditions align. These chrome rockets are what most anglers target on Oregon tuna charters, and for good reason – they fight hard, taste amazing, and when you find a school, the action can be fast and furious. Blackfin tuna show up less frequently but provide a different kind of fight, typically smaller but incredibly aggressive on the bite. The real prize fish are the bluefin tuna, which have been showing up more regularly in Oregon waters in recent years. These are the fish that can really test your tackle and your endurance – bigger, stronger, and absolutely relentless when hooked. Will's been seeing more bluefin each season, and while they're not guaranteed, the possibility of hooking into one of these bulls adds serious excitement to every trip. The key is being ready when opportunity strikes, and that's where Will's experience really shows. He knows how to position the boat, when to adjust the spread, and how to coach anglers through the fight when a good fish is on the line.
Albacore tuna are the bread and butter of Oregon's offshore fishery, and these fish are pure adrenaline on the end of your line. They typically run 12-30 pounds off Charleston, with the occasional fish pushing into the 40-pound range when conditions are right. What makes albacore special is their incredible initial run – when you hook one, it's going to strip line faster than almost any fish you've ever fought. They're most active during the warmer months from July through September when the water temperatures hit that sweet spot around 62-65 degrees. Albacore are also some of the best eating fish in the ocean, with that deep red meat that's perfect for sashimi or searing on the grill. The fight is what keeps anglers coming back though – these fish just don't quit, and even a smaller albacore will give you a workout.
Blackfin tuna bring a different energy to the party, typically smaller than albacore but with an aggressive attitude that makes up for their size. These fish are opportunistic feeders and when they're around, they'll usually hit lures with authority. They're not as common as albacore in Oregon waters, but when Will finds them, they provide fast action and are excellent table fare. Blackfin are usually more willing to bite throughout the day compared to albacore, which can get finicky as the sun gets higher. Their smaller size makes them perfect for anglers who want steady action without the marathon fights that bigger tuna provide.
Bluefin tuna are the ultimate prize in these waters, and their increasing presence off Oregon has created serious excitement in the charter fishing community. These fish can range from schoolie-sized 20-pounders up to massive 100+ pound fish that will test every knot in your tackle. Bluefin are incredibly powerful and smart – they'll use their size and strength to try every trick to break you off. What makes them special is their unpredictability – they might show up in August feeding on sardines, or they coul
Hit the blue water aboard our reliable 2017 22' Duckworth Navigator Sport, powered by a 115 HP Yamaha that cruises at 32 mph to get you out to the tuna grounds quickly. This well-equipped sportfisher handles Oregon's offshore conditions with confidence, featuring radar for those early morning fog banks and a fish finder to locate schools. The wireless trolling motor lets us position quietly on active fish, while the onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during long battles with albacore. With GPS navigation guiding us to productive waters and plenty of deck space for fighting fish, this boat is built for serious tuna fishing. Captain Will's 35 years chasing Oregon coast tuna means you'll fish the right spots at the right times, maximizing your chances at these hard-fighting pelagics.
Thunnus AlalungaAlbacore are our bread and butter out here from July through September, when schools up to 19 miles wide move into our offshore waters. These bullet-shaped fish typically run 20-45 pounds with distinctive long pectoral fins and make for fantastic eating - they're the only tuna you can legally call "white meat." We find them in the blue water 20-40 miles out, constantly moving since they need to swim to breathe. They feed during daylight hours on anchovies, sardines, and squid. What guests love most is the consistent action and excellent table fare. Trolling cedar plugs or tuna feathers works great, but here's the key: when you hook that first fish, don't let it get away. That's usually the lead fish, and losing it often means the whole school will follow it out of the area.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin Tuna are actually Atlantic species that rarely show up in Oregon waters - you're more likely to find them in the Gulf of Mexico or Caribbean. These smaller tunas max out around 39 inches and 46 pounds, with striking dark bodies and golden side bands that fade once they're landed. They're known as scrappy fighters despite their size, and the meat is top-notch for sashimi. In their native warm waters over 68°F, they school up near continental shelves and love squid, small fish, and crustaceans. When targeting them elsewhere, veteran anglers swear by scaling down to lighter leaders and smaller circle hooks since these fish have sharp eyesight. Vertical jigging and chunking with live pilchards work best.
Thunnus ThynnusPacific Bluefin are the giants of our offshore waters, averaging around 5 feet and 130 pounds but capable of reaching twice that size. These torpedo-shaped speedsters cruise deep blue water at 43 mph and can dive over 3,000 feet. We see them best during cooler months when they follow baitfish closer to our continental shelf areas. What makes them special? The fight is legendary - expect screaming runs and deep dives that'll test your tackle and endurance. Plus, the meat is world-class, especially for sashimi. Trolling with live mackerel or herring works well, but here's a local tip: when you hook the first one in a school, work fast and keep multiple lines ready. They often travel in groups, and you might get a double or triple hookup if you're prepared.
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