Off Season Full Day Charter (October-May)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full day offshore salmon fishing during offseason monthsTargets smaller "feeder" salmon known for exceptional flavorSmall group experience with maximum three guests aboard
Looking for some of the best salmon fishing without the summer crowds? Radar's Pro Fishing has you covered with their off-season full day charter that runs from October 1st through May 1st. This isn't your typical peak season trip – it's something special. You'll be targeting what we call "feeders," smaller salmon that are still actively feeding and pack way more flavor than their bigger summer cousins. With only three spots available per trip, you get a personalized experience that's hard to find during busy season. Pack some layers, bring your own grub and drinks, and get ready for what might be the tastiest salmon you've ever pulled from the water.
This off-season charter is all about quality over quantity. When the weather cooperates and the feeders are biting, you'll understand why local anglers guard these trips like secrets. The boat heads out early to prime feeding zones where these smaller salmon are actively hunting baitfish. Don't let the "smaller" part fool you – these fish fight hard and taste amazing because they're still in feeding mode rather than spawning. The intimate three-person capacity means you get plenty of one-on-one time with the captain, personalized instruction, and more chances at landing fish. Weather can be unpredictable during off-season months, so flexibility is key. Some days you'll have glass-calm seas, other days you might be dealing with swells and wind. That's part of the adventure, and experienced captains know how to find fish even when conditions get challenging.
Radar's Pro Fishing sets you up with everything needed to hook into these feeder salmon and bottom fish. Expect to troll with downriggers at various depths, following the bait schools and temperature breaks where salmon concentrate. The crew will have you running flashers and spoons, herring strips, or anchovies depending on what's working that day. For the rockfish and lingcod, you'll switch to bottom rigs with heavy jigs and bait. The captain reads the fish finder constantly, adjusting depths and speeds based on what the sonar shows. During off-season, salmon often hold deeper than summer months, so don't be surprised if you're fishing 80-150 feet down. The boat carries quality rods and reels that can handle both the light tackle salmon fishing and the heavier bottom fishing for lingcod. Make sure to dress in layers – morning fog and afternoon sun can create a 20-degree temperature swing, and you want to stay comfortable during the full day on the water.
The species mix during off-season creates some of the most diverse fishing you'll find all year. Pink salmon show up in huge numbers during odd-numbered years, especially in late summer and fall. These smaller salmon, usually 3-5 pounds, are perfect table fare and fight surprisingly hard for their size. They're silver-bright when fresh from the ocean and make excellent eating. Coho salmon, or silvers, are the acrobats of the salmon family. These feeders typically run 6-12 pounds during off-season and are known for their spectacular jumps and long runs. They're aggressive biters and often hit lures with authority that'll wake you up fast. Brown rockfish become more active during cooler months, moving into shallower water to feed. These bottom dwellers provide steady action between salmon runs and make excellent fish and chips. Lingcod are the real bruisers of the bunch. These prehistoric-looking predators can reach 20-30 pounds and provide arm-burning fights. They're ambush predators that grab bait hard and try to dive straight back to the rocks. Chinook salmon, though less common during off-season, still show up as feeders. These king salmon might be smaller than their summer counterparts but they're still the strongest fighters in the salmon family, often taking long runs and testing your drag system.
Off-season charters fill up faster than most people realize, especially when weather windows look good. With only three spots per trip, these intimate fishing experiences book solid with repeat customers who know what they're getting. The combination of smaller crowds, hungry fish, and personal attention from the crew makes these October through May trips some of the most rewarding of the year. You'll come back to the dock with a cooler full of premium eating fish and stories that'll last until next season. Don't sleep on off-season fishing – book your spot with Radar's Pro Fishing and discover why serious anglers prefer these months over the busy summer season. Bring your appetite for adventure and leave room in the freezer for some of the best-tasting salmon you'll ever catch.
Your fishing platform for this off-season salmon adventure is a well-equipped Grady-White Cuddy Cabin powered by a reliable Suzuki engine. This motorboat cuts through the water smoothly while you target those tasty "feeder" salmon from October through May. The enclosed cabin gives you shelter when the weather turns, plus there's a comfortable bed and onboard toilet for the full-day trip. Stay on the fish with the built-in fish finder, GPS, and radar system, while the wireless trolling motor lets you move quietly when you're over productive water. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold, and the multimedia system adds some entertainment between bites. With room for up to 3 anglers, this setup handles the offshore conditions while keeping you comfortable during those longer runs to where the salmon are feeding.
Sebastes AuriculatusBrown rockfish are steady bottom dwellers that hang around rocky structure and kelp beds from 120 to 400 feet deep. These chocolate-colored fish grow up to 22 inches and can live over 30 years, feeding mostly at night on small fish, crab, and shrimp. They're not big fighters, but guests love them for their mild, flaky white meat that's perfect for fish and chips. You'll usually find them tucked into rocky crevices during the day, making them a reliable target when salmon fishing slows down. They hit both bait and jigs readily. My go-to trick is dropping strips of squid or small anchovies straight down to the bottom with enough weight to cut through current - they'll grab it without much fuss.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon are the kings of the Pacific, with mature fish averaging 15-30 pounds and some reaching 40+ pounds. These silver-sided bruisers with black-spotted backs and tails are built for power, not acrobatics. They prefer deeper, colder water and stay near the bottom, making them light-sensitive and best targeted early morning or evening. Kings are prized for their rich, orange-pink meat and incredible fighting strength. During our off-season trips, we're targeting feeding chinook that are actively hunting baitfish. They can live up to 7 years, so you never know when you'll hook a true giant. Best advice: fish deep with heavy tackle and be patient - when a big king hits your herring or spoon, you'll know it immediately.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, or silvers, are acrobatic fighters that'll jump clean out of the water when hooked. These beautiful fish run 8-12 pounds on average with dark blue-green backs and bright silver sides dotted with black spots. They're famous for their orange-red meat and can live up to 5 years. You'll find them moving between rivers and ocean waters, preferring cooler areas with good current. Our off-season trips target feeding cohoes that are putting on weight before spawning - they're aggressive and taste amazing. They hit everything from spoons to flies, but here's a local trick: try bright chartreuse or pink lures in deeper water. Their strong fight and excellent table fare make them a guest favorite year-round.
Ophiodon ElongatusLingcod are the bullies of the bottom with massive heads, razor-sharp teeth, and attitudes to match. Despite the name, they're actually giant greenlings that can reach 40+ pounds and live over 20 years. These ambush predators lurk in rocky lairs from 30 to 300 feet, using their mottled coloring to blend in before striking. They'll eat anything that fits in that bucket-sized mouth, including other lingcod. Guests love the challenge and the reward - lingcod have excellent white meat and put up a decent scrap once you pull them off structure. They're catchable year-round but more aggressive during winter months. Key tip: use heavy braided line and metal jigs since they live in snaggy country, and don't be surprised if they follow the fish you're reeling up.
Oncorhynchus GorbuschaPink salmon are the smallest Pacific salmon, usually running 4-5 pounds, but they make up for size with numbers and taste. Also called humpbacks, these silver-sided fish develop a distinctive hump during spawning. They love cold water and feed heavily on plankton and small fish, which gives their meat that signature pink color from all the crustaceans they eat. You'll find them in coastal waters and rivers, and they're perfect for beginners since they don't fight as hard as their bigger cousins. During our off-season trips, these "feeder" fish are still actively feeding, making them easier to target and exceptionally flavorful. Pro tip: use bright pink jigs or hoochies - they think it's a shrimp and can't resist hitting it.
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