Oregon Coast Salmon & Bottom Fish Charter
Shared Trip
Offshore Fishing
Six-hour shared charter targeting salmon, rockfish, and lingcod species.All gear, bait, and tackle provided with expert crew assistance.Dungeness crab pots deployed when ocean conditions allow fishing.
Get ready for a full day on the water aboard the 2nd Chance with Pacific Odyssey Dory Charters. This shared fishing charter takes you offshore along Oregon's rugged coastline for six hours of serious angling action. You'll be targeting some of the most sought-after species in Pacific Northwest waters – salmon, rockfish, and lingcod – with the added bonus of crab pots when conditions allow. The crew knows these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish whether you're a weekend warrior or have never held a rod before.
Your day starts early at the harbor, where you'll meet your captain and crew for a safety briefing before heading out. The 2nd Chance is built for Oregon's sometimes challenging conditions, giving you a stable platform to fish from while staying comfortable throughout the day. The crew handles all the heavy lifting – setting up gear, baiting hooks, and coaching you through every step of landing your catch. Group sizes stay small to ensure everyone gets personal attention and plenty of shots at fish. Don't worry about bringing anything except yourself and maybe some snacks – all rods, reels, tackle, and bait are provided. The crew even cleans your catch at the end of the day, so you just focus on the fun part.
The crew runs a mix of techniques depending on what's biting and where the fish are holding. For salmon, you'll typically be trolling with downriggers, pulling flashers and hoochies or cut-plug herring at various depths. The captain uses his fish finder and years of experience to locate schools and put baits right in the strike zone. When targeting bottom fish like rockfish and lingcod, you'll switch to heavier gear and drop jigs or bait rigs down to rocky structure and ledges where these fish hang out. The crew knows exactly which reefs and underwater formations hold fish, and they'll move spots if the action slows down. When ocean conditions cooperate, crab pots get dropped early in the trip and checked on the way back to port – nothing beats fresh Dungeness crab to cap off a successful fishing day.
Coho salmon are the bread and butter of Oregon coast fishing, especially during late summer and early fall. These silver bullets typically run 8-12 pounds and fight like fish twice their size, making screaming runs and aerial displays that get everyone on the boat excited. They're aggressive feeders and respond well to trolled offerings, particularly when you find them in schools feeding on baitfish near the surface. Coho are perfect for eating with their firm, flaky meat that's excellent grilled, baked, or smoked.
Chinook salmon are the kings of the Pacific, and Oregon's coast produces some beauties. These fish can range from 15 pounds up to monsters over 40 pounds, though most catches fall in the 20-30 pound range. They're deeper fighters than coho, preferring to slug it out down low rather than jump, but their size and power make every hookup memorable. Spring and fall offer the best chances at chinook, and their rich, oily meat is prized by salmon lovers everywhere.
Black rockfish are abundant along Oregon's rocky coast and provide consistent action when salmon fishing slows down. These fish typically weigh 2-8 pounds and school up in large numbers around underwater structure. They're scrappy fighters for their size and excellent table fare with white, mild-tasting meat. Kids especially love catching rockfish because they bite readily and come up in multiples when you find a good school.
Lingcod are the apex predators of Oregon's nearshore waters, growing to impressive sizes and featuring massive mouths full of sharp teeth. These bottom dwellers can weigh anywhere from 10 pounds to over 50 pounds, with the larger fish being primarily females. They're ambush predators that love to hide in rocky crevices and attack anything that swims by. Landing a big lingcod is always exciting because you never know how large it might be until it breaks the surface. Their firm white meat is fantastic eating and perfect for fish tacos or fish and chips.
This shared charter fills up fast, especially during peak salmon season from July through October. The combination of experienced crew, quality gear, and productive fishing grounds makes this trip a top choice for both locals and visiting anglers. You'll come away with a cooler full of fresh fish, new techniques to try on your own, and stories to share for years to come. The crew's commitment to putting you on fish and making sure everyone has a great time keeps customers coming back season after season. Book early to secure your spot on what many consider the best fishing value on the Oregon coast.
Meet the *2nd Chance*, a beautifully restored 1978 21-foot Vics Craft that's been brought back to life for serious Oregon Coast fishing. This classic hull cuts through Pacific swells with confidence, taking you offshore to prime salmon, rockfish, and lingcod grounds. The boat's equipped with modern fish finder technology to locate schools and structure, plus GPS and radar to navigate safely in coastal conditions. Marine VHF radio keeps you connected to other boats and harbor updates. An onboard icebox handles your catch and keeps drinks cold during those longer runs to productive fishing spots. The *2nd Chance* proves that well-maintained classics can deliver reliable performance when targeting Oregon's diverse coastal fishery, whether you're trolling for chinook or dropping lines on rocky bottom structure.
Sebastes MelanopsBlack rockfish are the workhorses of Oregon bottom fishing - reliable, tasty, and always ready to bite. These dark gray to black fish average 4-5 pounds and live around rocky reefs, jetties, and kelp beds from shallow water down to a few hundred feet. They're available year-round, but summer and fall offer the most consistent action when they school up. What makes them popular is their aggressive feeding - they'll hit almost anything you drop down, making them perfect for beginners. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm white meat. One key tip: use a sensitive rod tip because their initial bite can be subtle before they really grab on and head for the rocks.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKings are the heavyweights of the salmon world, and for good reason - these bruisers can push 20-30 pounds out here. They're built for power with that distinctive black mouth and gums, plus meat that ranges from deep red to almost white. Unlike their coho cousins, kings prefer deeper water and stay down near the bottom where it's darker. Spring through fall is prime time, especially early morning or evening when they're most active. The fight is all about endurance - no jumping, just raw pulling power that'll make your drag sing. Pro tip: get your bait or lure down deep with enough weight, because these fish rarely come up to feed.
Oncorhynchus KisutchSilver salmon, as locals call them, are pure acrobats that'll jump clean out of the water when hooked. These beauties average 8-12 pounds with bright silver sides and that famous orange-red meat everyone loves on the dinner table. We find them cruising the nearshore waters, especially around river mouths and kelp beds during summer and fall runs. What makes coho special is their aggressive nature - they'll hit lures hard and put on a real show. The fight is what keeps people coming back, plus they're fantastic eating. My tip: when you see birds working the surface, that's where the coho are feeding on baitfish underneath.
Ophiodon ElongatusDon't let the name fool you - lingcod aren't actually cod, but they're one gnarly-looking fish with huge teeth and an attitude to match. These bottom dwellers hang around rocky reefs and kelp beds from 30-300 feet deep, using their mottled coloring to ambush anything that swims by. Females can get massive - we've seen 20-pounders that'll test your arms. They're available year-round, but spring through fall gives you the best action. What guests love is their aggressive bite and how they fight dirty, trying to wrap you around rocks. Here's the trick: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and bring them up quick - they'll use every rock down there against you.
Oregon Coast