Oregon Coast Family Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Private 6hour charter targets salmon, rockfish, and lingcod offshoreAll fishing gear, bait, and tackle provided with expert crew supportFamilyfriendly trip accommodates all skill levels and ages comfortably
Pacific Odyssey Dory Charters delivers one of the top-rated family fishing experiences along Oregon's legendary coast. This private 6-hour charter is built specifically for families who want quality time on the water without the pressure or crowds of larger boats. You'll target salmon, rockfish, and lingcod in some of the most productive waters off Oregon, with the bonus opportunity to check Dungeness crab pots when conditions line up right. The crew handles all the details – gear, bait, tackle, and guidance – so you can focus on what matters: watching your kids land their first fish and creating those stories you'll tell for years.
This isn't your typical cattle-boat fishing trip. With just your family aboard, the pace stays relaxed and the focus stays on everyone having a good time. The crew knows how to work with kids and beginners, offering hands-on help with everything from baiting hooks to netting fish. You'll launch from one of Oregon's coastal harbors and head to proven fishing grounds where salmon run thick during peak season and rockfish stack up on the reefs year-round. The dory-style boat gives you stability and comfort, plus easy access to multiple fishing zones depending on what's biting. Weather and fish behavior dictate the exact spots, but the captain's local knowledge puts you on the best action available. If crab pots are in the water and conditions permit, pulling them adds another layer of excitement – especially for kids who love the surprise element of what's inside each trap.
All your fishing equipment comes included, from rods and reels matched to the target species down to the terminal tackle that actually gets fish to bite. For salmon, you'll likely troll with downriggers using flashers and hoochies or bait rigs, covering water at different depths until you locate active fish. Rockfish and lingcod fishing means dropping jigs or bait rigs straight down to the bottom structure where these species live. The crew sets up each angler with appropriate gear – lighter tackle for kids, heavier setups for adults who want to battle bigger lingcod. Bait varies by season and target species but typically includes herring, anchovies, and artificial lures that have proven effective in local waters. The beauty of a private charter means the crew can spend time teaching proper technique, from how to work a jig to recognizing when you have a bite. No experience required – they'll have everyone fishing effectively within the first hour.
Coho salmon steal the show from late summer through fall, offering world-class action that keeps families coming back year after year. These silver bullets average 8-12 pounds and fight like fish twice their size, making multiple runs and aerial displays that get everyone on the boat excited. Coho feed aggressively in Oregon's coastal waters, often hitting lures with explosive strikes that leave no doubt you're hooked up. Best fishing typically runs from August through October when schools move through coastal zones following baitfish. What makes coho special for families is their willingness to bite and their spectacular fights that give kids and adults alike that rush of landing a premium gamefish. Chinook salmon represent the heavyweight division, with fish ranging from 15 to 40+ pounds depending on timing and location. These king salmon require more patience but deliver unforgettable battles, especially for teenagers and adults looking for that fish-of-a-lifetime experience. Peak Chinook action varies by area but generally runs strongest from late spring through early fall. Lingcod bring a different kind of excitement to the mix – these prehistoric-looking bottom dwellers can reach 20-30 pounds and fight with pure muscle and determination. They inhabit rocky reefs and structure, often grabbing jigs or bait with aggressive strikes. Lingcod season typically runs year-round in most areas, making them a reliable target when salmon fishing slows. Kids love their alien appearance and the way they seem to materialize from the depths. Black rockfish round out the main targets, schooling in large numbers around underwater structure and providing consistent action when other species prove finicky. These tasty fish range from 2-5 pounds on average, perfect size for younger anglers to handle while still providing good fights. Rockfish bite year-round but peak during spring and summer months when they move into shallower waters.
Oregon Coast fishing delivers year-round, but the best family trips happen when you plan ahead and hit the seasonal peaks. This private charter format books up quickly, especially during prime salmon season and summer months when families have more flexibility. The crew's local expertise, combined with top-quality gear and a boat designed for Oregon's coastal conditions, creates the kind of fishing experience that turns kids into lifelong anglers. Whether you're introducing the family to offshore fishing or looking to upgrade from crowded party boats, this charter offers the personal attention and fish-catching potential that makes for legendary family trips. Early booking ensures you get your preferred dates and gives you something to look forward to all season long.
Step aboard our beautifully restored 1978 21-foot Vic's Craft, your floating headquarters for chasing salmon, rockfish, and lingcod along Oregon's productive waters. This classic boat combines vintage charm with modern fishing essentials – GPS keeps us on the hottest spots, while our fish finder reveals what's lurking below. The radar helps us navigate safely through coastal fog, and VHF radio maintains contact with other boats sharing fishing intel. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long battles with feisty lingcod. With room for six anglers, families can spread out comfortably while working the lines. The crew knows these waters like their own backyard, guiding you to productive reefs and salmon runs that have been producing for generations. Whether you're teaching kids to bait hooks or landing your first Oregon salmon, this dependable vessel provides the perfect platform for creating those stories you'll tell for years.
Sebastes MelanopsBlack rockfish are perfect starter fish - they bite aggressively and are found all along our rocky reefs and jetties from 20-150 feet deep. They average 2-4 pounds with dark gray to black coloring that lightens as they age. These guys aren't picky eaters and will hit jigs, bait, pretty much anything you drop down. They're available year-round, but calm weather days are best since they live in the rocky structure. Families love them because kids can catch them easily and the white, flaky meat is mild and delicious. Watch those spines though - they're mildly venomous and can give you a nasty poke. My go-to method is a simple jig head with bait fished right on the bottom near the rocks.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweight champions - these bruisers can hit 20-30 pounds and give you a workout you won't forget. They cruise the deeper water, 60-150 feet, and prefer cooler temps. Spring through early fall is prime time, especially during the big runs. What sets kings apart is their power - they'll take long runs and test your gear. That deep red meat is prize table fare, rich and flavorful. They're light-sensitive, so early morning and evening bites are most productive. We usually troll with downriggers to get down where they live. Here's the key: kings have soft mouths, so keep steady pressure but don't horse them. Let your drag do the work and they'll come to the net.
Oncorhynchus KisutchSilver salmon are pure acrobats - they'll jump clean out of the water and put on a real show when hooked. These beauties typically run 8-12 pounds with bright silver sides and dark backs. We find them in the deeper channels and drop-offs, usually 40-80 feet down. Best fishing happens during their runs from late summer through fall when they're staging before heading upriver. What makes coho special is that fight - they're scrappy and never give up easy. Plus, that bright orange meat makes for some of the best eating you'll find. Local tip: when trolling for coho, vary your speed every few minutes. They love that erratic action and it often triggers strikes when they're being finicky.
Ophiodon ElongatusThese toothy monsters are some of the ugliest fish in the ocean, but man do they make for good eating. Lingcod hang out in rocky structure from 30-200 feet, usually lying still on the bottom waiting to ambush anything that swims by. They're aggressive fighters but not fast - they'd rather duke it out than run. Females get much bigger, often 15-25 pounds, while males stay under 10. You can target them year-round, but spring and early summer are prime. What guests love is how hard they hit - no subtle bites here. They'll grab your jig and head straight for the rocks. The meat is firm, white, and flaky. Pro tip: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and get them up fast before they wrap you around the bottom structure.
Oregon Coast