Tillamook Family Combo Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
8hour family combo trip targets Lingcod and Rockfish plus crabbingAccommodates up to 6 guests with all rods and tackle included6 AM departure ensures calm waters and steady morning action
Looking for the perfect family fishing adventure that keeps everyone engaged? This 8-hour combo trip out of Tillamook is built specifically for families who want to experience the best of Oregon's inshore fishing without the stress. Your Pro Fish Guide captain takes up to six guests on a relaxed day that combines bottom fishing for tasty rockfish and lingcod with hands-on crabbing action. The early 6 AM departure means you'll hit the water when it's glassy calm and the fish are biting, giving your crew the best shot at filling the cooler while the kids stay comfortable and excited.
This isn't your typical rush-around fishing charter – it's designed as a laid-back family experience where everyone gets involved. Your captain knows these Tillamook waters like the back of their hand and will anchor up over productive bottom structure where lingcod and various rockfish species hold. The fishing techniques are straightforward and effective – simple bottom rigs that kids can handle easily while still being productive enough to keep the adults engaged. Between fishing spots, you'll pull crab pots that were set earlier, and this is where the younger crew members really shine. They love the anticipation of what's in each pot and get hands-on experience sorting keepers from shorts. The steady, methodical approach means no one feels rushed or overwhelmed, and there's plenty of time for everyone to learn proper fish handling and ocean safety.
All your rods, reels, and tackle come included, so you can focus on the fun instead of worrying about rigging up. Your captain will have everyone set up with medium-heavy rods spooled with braided line for better sensitivity when feeling those bottom bites. The terminal tackle is simple but effective – sliding sinker rigs with circle hooks that help prevent gut-hooking fish, making catch-and-release easier when needed. For the crabbing portion, you'll use standard crab pots baited with chicken or fish scraps, and your guide will show the kids how to properly measure crabs and identify males from females. The boat stays anchored over structure in 60-120 feet of water where the rockfish and lingcod concentrate, and the calm morning conditions typical of early starts make it comfortable for everyone to move around and help with the action.
Lingcod are the prize catch on this trip, and Tillamook's rocky bottom provides perfect habitat for these aggressive predators. These toothy fish can reach impressive sizes – anything over 10 pounds is considered a solid catch, with fish in the 15-25 pound range showing up regularly. Lingcod are ambush predators that sit motionless near rocky structure, then explode on passing bait with surprising speed. What makes them exciting for families is their willingness to bite and their impressive appearance – kids love seeing those big teeth and mottled coloration. Spring through fall offers the best action, with summer months producing the most consistent bite.
Black Rockfish make up the bread-and-butter action on most trips, schooling in decent numbers over the reefs and providing steady action that keeps everyone busy. These fish typically run 2-4 pounds and are perfect for younger anglers – they fight hard enough to be fun but aren't so powerful that kids can't handle them. Black rockfish are excellent table fare with firm white meat, and they're abundant enough that families can usually count on taking some home for dinner. They're most active during the warmer months when baitfish are plentiful near the structure.
Black Sea Bass add variety to the mix and are increasingly common in Oregon waters as their range expands northward. These fish are fighters – pound for pound, they pull harder than most rockfish and will test your drag system. They typically run 3-8 pounds in this area and have excellent eating quality. Sea bass are curious fish that often investigate the boat, sometimes providing visual excitement when they can be seen near the surface. Their numbers peak during late summer and early fall when water temperatures are at their warmest.
While primarily a bottom fishing trip, Chinook Salmon occasionally make appearances, especially during spring and fall migration periods. When salmon are in the area, your captain might switch tactics and try some mid-water techniques. These king salmon are the crown jewel of Pacific Northwest fishing – powerful, acrobatic, and absolutely delicious. Even a smaller chinook in the 10-15 pound range will provide excitement that the whole family remembers. The chance element of hooking a salmon while bottom fishing adds an extra thrill to every drop.
This family combo trip offers the perfect balance of action, education, and relaxation that makes for memorable days on the water. The combination of steady bottom fishing and interactive crabbing keeps everyone engaged, while the experienced captain ensures safety and success. With all gear included and techniques designed for all skill levels, families can focus on enjoying time together while learning about Oregon's marine resources. The 6 AM start might seem early, but the calm conditions and active morning bite make it worth the effort. Remember to bring your fishing licenses, warm layers, and snacks for the day – then get ready for eight hours of quality family fishing time on some of Oregon's most productive inshore waters.
Step aboard this well-equipped 32' Defiance sportfisher, your home base for a full day of bottom fishing and crabbing off the Tillamook coast. Built with families in mind, this sturdy boat handles Oregon's coastal waters with ease while providing plenty of open deck space for up to six anglers to work the lines comfortably. The onboard fish finder helps locate productive spots for Lingcod and Rockfish, while GPS and radar keep you positioned perfectly even when coastal fog rolls in. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold throughout the 8-hour adventure, and the onboard toilet means no cutting trips short. Kids love helping haul crab pots while adults appreciate the steady platform and quality gear that makes everyone feel confident on the water.
Sebastes MelanopsBlack rockfish are perfect family-friendly targets that hang around rocky reefs, jetties, and nearshore structure from shallow water down to about 300 feet. They average 4-5 pounds and have a bass-like shape with spiny fins and dark coloring that lightens with age. These aren't picky eaters - they'll grab jigs, cut bait, or live anchovies without much fuss, making them great for beginners and kids. You can catch them year-round, but they're most active during steady weather when they school up to feed. What guests enjoy is their aggressive bite and decent table fare, plus they're usually around in good numbers. Watch out for those venomous spines when handling them. My tip: use enough weight to stay on bottom and try small jigs worked slowly - they like to inhale their prey whole.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are chunky, hard-fighting members of the grouper family that love structure like wrecks, jetties, and rocky bottom. Most run 1-4 pounds, but they pack a serious punch for their size and won't give up until they hit the surface. You'll find them in depths under 120 feet during warmer months, especially around any kind of underwater structure. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move closer to shore. What makes them interesting is they're all born female and some change to males as they grow - the bigger blue-colored ones with the hump on their head are the males. They're excellent eating and aggressive biters that'll hit live bait, jigs, or cut squid. My advice: use a two-hook rig with squid strips and keep it right on the bottom where they feed.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the giants of the salmon world, averaging 12-25 pounds but capable of hitting 30-plus in our waters. These silver-sided beauties with black-spotted tails are built for power and will test your drag like no other fish. They prefer deeper, cooler water and are light-sensitive, so they hang near the bottom during bright days. Early morning and evening bites are prime time. What guests love most is the combination of brute strength fighting and that rich, pink meat that's second to none on the dinner table. Since they're anadromous, timing matters - spring through early fall offers the best shots when they're moving through our area. Pro tip: use enough weight to get down to them and don't be afraid to troll deeper than you think.
Ophiodon ElongatusDespite the name, lingcod aren't actually cod but greenlings with a seriously gnarly look - big sharp teeth, spiny fins, and mottled coloring that helps them blend into rocky bottom structure. These ambush predators typically run 15-30 inches but can get massive, with the record over 80 pounds. You'll find them hanging around rocky reefs, kelp beds, and structure from 30-300 feet deep. They're homebodies that don't move far from their territory, making them reliable targets year-round. What makes them fun is they're aggressive fighters that would rather battle than flee, plus they're excellent table fare. My tip: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and get them up quick - they'll use every rock and crevice to try breaking you off.
Tillamook, OR