Tillamook Combo Bottom Fishing and Crabbing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
79 hour combo trip targeting bottom fish and crabbingCaptain guides up to six guests with all gear providedMorning 6 AM start for calmer water and steady action
Looking for the ultimate Oregon coast fishing adventure? This 7-9 hour combo trip out of Tillamook puts you on prime bottom structure for Lingcod and Rockfish while adding the bonus of pulling crab pots for a cooler packed with fresh seafood. Pro Fish Guide knows these waters like the back of their hand, guiding up to six anglers to productive spots where the fish stack up. The early 6 AM departure gets you out there when conditions are best and the bite is hot. Pack your layers and snacks – you're in for a full day of steady action that'll have you planning your next trip before you even hit the dock.
Your captain starts the day targeting bottom structure where Lingcod and various Rockfish species call home. These aren't just random drops – we're talking about proven honey holes where the fish hold tight to rocky pinnacles and ledges. The morning bite typically fires off strong, especially when you're fishing the incoming tide. Between fishing spots, you'll cruise to check crab pots that were set earlier, adding variety to your day and doubling down on the seafood haul. The whole experience flows naturally from one productive area to the next, with your guide reading conditions and adjusting the game plan to keep rods bent and crab traps full. All tackle and crabbing gear comes included, so you just need to bring your valid Oregon fishing license and get ready to work some fish.
Bottom fishing here means dropping heavy jigs and bait rigs down to structure in 60-200 feet of water. Your guide rigs you up with the right weight to get down fast and stay connected to the bottom, usually running 8-16 oz depending on current and depth. Lingcod love big baits – think whole herring or large jig heads bounced right along the rocks. For Rockfish, smaller offerings work great, and you can often double up when they're schooled tight. The crabbing side runs on a different rhythm – pulling pots every hour or so to check for legal Dungeness crabs. Measuring and sorting keepers becomes a team effort, and there's something satisfying about the solid thunk of a nice crab hitting the cooler. The boat setup handles both activities seamlessly, with plenty of deck space to work crab pots while keeping lines in the water.
Lingcod remain the prize catch on these bottom fishing trips, and Tillamook waters produce some real giants. These aggressive predators can push 20-40 pounds, with their massive mouths and mottled green coloration making them unmistakable when they come up from the depths. They're ambush feeders that hold tight to rocky structure, exploding on baits with powerful runs that'll test your drag. The best action typically runs from late spring through fall, though winter fishing can be outstanding when weather allows. What makes Lingcod so exciting is their fight – they're pure power on the way up, often making multiple runs before you can boat them.
Chinook Salmon add serious excitement when they're in the area, typically during their coastal migration periods. These ocean-bright kings average 15-30 pounds and fight like freight trains, making long runs and testing every knot in your setup. They're most common during summer and early fall runs, often found suspended over deeper water or relating to bait schools. Landing a Chinook on bottom gear is always a bonus, and their rich, red meat makes them a prized addition to any fish box.
Pacific Halibut represent the ultimate bottom fish prize when you connect with one. These flatfish can range from "chicken" halibut around 10-20 pounds up to true barn doors pushing 50+ pounds. They lie flat on sandy bottoms near structure, inhaling baits with surprising speed for such a large fish. The fight is a slow, powerful grind that can last 20-30 minutes on bigger fish. Halibut season typically runs spring through fall, with summer providing the most consistent action in local waters.
Black Sea Bass school up in good numbers and provide steady action when you locate them. These fish average 2-8 pounds and hit baits aggressively, often allowing you to boat multiple fish from the same spot. They're excellent table fare and fun to catch, making them perfect for filling out limits when larger species are being picky. Black Rockfish round out the mix, with their distinctive coloration and solid fight making them a consistent target. These fish relate strongly to structure and can be found at various depths, providing backup action throughout the day.
This combo trip delivers exactly what serious anglers want – steady bottom fishing action plus the bonus of fresh crab to round out your seafood haul. The 7-9 hour timeframe gives you plenty of opportunity to work multiple spots and techniques while the 6-person capacity keeps things comfortable without crowding the deck. Pro Fish Guide's local knowledge shows in the consistent results, hitting the productive structure and crab grounds that produce day after day. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so check the weather forecast and commit to your dates. Bring layers for changing conditions, pack some snacks to keep your energy up, and don't forget that fishing license. This is the kind of trip that reminds you why you love getting on the water – book your spot and get ready to load the cooler.
The 32' Defiance sportfisher delivers everything you need for productive bottom fishing and crabbing off Tillamook's coast. This stable platform handles six anglers comfortably with open deck space for working gear and sorting your catch. The boat comes equipped with a fish finder to locate structure where lingcod and rockfish hang out, plus GPS and radar for safe navigation. An onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and seafood fresh, while the convenient head means no cutting trips short. Your captain knows the productive spots and provides all tackle for the 7-9 hour combo adventure that starts at 6 AM when conditions are typically best. You'll work bottom structure for fish, then shift to checking crab pots for a mixed bag of Pacific seafood to fill your cooler.
Sebastes MelanopsBlack rockfish are solid fighters that love hanging around rocky structure from shallow water down to 200 feet. They average 2-5 pounds but can push 10+ when you find the big schools. These dark gray to nearly black fish have venomous spines, so handle with care. You'll find them year-round, but late spring through fall gives you the most consistent action when they're actively feeding. They're aggressive biters that'll hit jigs, bait, or pretty much anything you drop down. What guests love is how cooperative they are - once you find a school, you can fill the cooler fast. The white meat is mild and tasty. They school with other rockfish species, so expect variety in your catch. Local tip: when you hook one, don't horse it up too fast. The pressure change can cause barotrauma, making them harder to release if needed.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass aren't native to our Oregon waters - this description seems to be for the Atlantic species. Since we're fishing Tillamook, we'd be targeting rockfish, lingcod, and other Pacific species instead. Black sea bass are primarily an East Coast fish found from Maine to Florida. They prefer rocky structure and wrecks in 20-120 feet, running 1-4 pounds typically. The males turn bright blue during spawning and develop a distinctive head bump. They're scrappy fighters that make excellent table fare. These fish actually start life as females then change to males as they mature. Spring through fall offers the best fishing when they're in shallower water. They'll hit squid, crab, and small jigs readily. Pro tip: use a two-hook rig with squid strips - they're not shy about hitting bait near bottom structure.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweight champions of the Pacific, running 15-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 50+. These silver bullets with black-spotted tails are built for power - they'll test your drag and your arms. We target them in 20-150 feet of water along structure and drop-offs where baitfish concentrate. Late spring through early fall gives you the best shots as they move through our waters. What sets kings apart is their incredible table fare - that rich, orange meat is restaurant quality. They're light-sensitive, so early morning starts work in your favor. The fight is pure adrenaline - long runs and head-shaking jumps that'll have you questioning your knots. Local trick: when trolling, vary your speed every few minutes. Kings often hit during speed changes when your lure looks like wounded baitfish trying to escape.
Ophiodon ElongatusLingcod are the bullies of our local rocky reefs - aggressive predators with massive heads and razor-sharp teeth that'll grab almost anything they can fit in their mouth. Despite the name, they're actually greenlings, not cod. Most run 10-20 pounds, but 30+ pounders show up regularly. You'll find them hugging bottom structure from 30-300 feet, using their mottled coloring to ambush prey. They're available year-round, but spring and summer offer the best action when they're more active. What makes them special is their fierce fight - they don't run, they just bulldoze straight up. The meat is excellent eating with firm white fillets. Pro tip: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and reel fast. They're lazy fighters but stubborn, and if you give them slack, they'll wrap your line around the rocks they call home.
Hippoglossus StenolepisPacific halibut are the barn doors of the ocean - massive flatfish that can stretch over 100 pounds and fight like they're twice that size. These bottom-huggers live in 150-500 feet around muddy and sandy areas near structure. Summer gives you the best crack at them when they move shallow to feed. What makes halibut fishing addictive is the surprise factor - you never know if that tap is a 20-pounder or a 200-pound giant. The meat is top-shelf white and flaky, perfect for the dinner table. They're ambush predators that inhale bait from below, so patience pays off. You'll feel a subtle tap, then sudden weight as they try to dive back down. Key tip: when you think you've got bottom, lift your rod tip every few minutes. Halibut often grab bait on the way up, mistaking it for fleeing prey.
Tillamook, OR