Buoy 10 Chinook and Coho (Private Boat)
Private Trip
Target Chinook and Coho at Columbia River's most iconic fisheryEighthour shared trips run August through early SeptemberAll rods, bait, and gear included for six guests maximum
If you've been dreaming about getting into some serious salmon action, this is your ticket to the Columbia River's most legendary fishery. Buoy 10 sits right where the Columbia meets the Pacific Ocean, and from August 1st through September 2nd, it becomes an absolute salmon highway. We're talking about fish that have been feeding in the ocean for years, now staging at the mouth before their final push upriver. They're chrome-bright, aggressive, and ready to fight. This 8-hour private charter gives you and up to five other anglers exclusive access to our boat and decades of local knowledge. We'll be trolling the productive waters where thousands of Chinook and Coho funnel through, using proven setups that have been putting fish in the boat season after season.
Your day starts early, which is exactly when these salmon are most active. We'll launch from the boat ramp and make the short run to the famous Buoy 10 area, where you can literally see where the river's brown water meets the blue-green Pacific. This mixing zone creates the perfect ambush point for salmon, and it's where we'll spend most of our time. The boat stays comfortable with six anglers – there's plenty of room to work without getting tangled up in each other's lines. As we motor around looking for the best bite, you'll see why this fishery has such a reputation. Birds diving, other boats hooking up, and that electric feeling in the air when the fish are biting. We provide all the rods, reels, tackle, and bait, so you just need to bring yourself and maybe some snacks. The action can be steady enough that you'll barely have time to eat lunch, which is why we don't include meals – most folks are too busy reeling in fish to think about food.
We're running a proven trolling program that targets both Chinook and Coho as they move through the area. The setup involves pulling herring, spinners, and spoons behind the boat at specific depths and speeds that trigger strikes from these aggressive salmon. Each rod gets rigged differently – some running shallow for Coho that are cruising near the surface, others going deep for the big Chinook that like to stay down in the cooler water. We'll adjust our trolling pattern based on tide, current, and where we're marking fish on the electronics. The key is covering water and staying in the strike zone where these fish are traveling. When a rod goes off, everyone knows it – the drag screams, the rod tip bounces, and whoever's turn it is gets to experience what makes Buoy 10 fishing so addictive. We'll coach you through the fight, help with the net, and make sure you get great photos with your catch.
The Chinook salmon passing through Buoy 10 are some of the most prized fish on the West Coast. These are ocean-bright kings that have been feeding on anchovies and sardines, putting on serious weight and muscle. Most of the Chinook we're hooking range from 15 to 30 pounds, with the occasional 40-pounder that will test your arms and your drag system. They're known for their initial run when hooked – a powerful surge that can strip line off your reel in seconds. What makes them special here is their condition. Unlike fish that have been in the river for weeks, these Chinook are still silver, firm, and fighting at full strength. Coho salmon, on the other hand, are pure acrobats. When a Coho hits your lure, get ready for jumps, cartwheels, and runs that will have you wondering how a 8 to 15-pound fish can put up such a fight. They're aggressive biters and will often hit lures that Chinook ignore, which is why we target both species on the same trip.
Chinook salmon are the undisputed kings of the Pacific, and the ones moving through Buoy 10 during late summer represent some of the finest examples you'll find anywhere. These fish have spent 3 to 5 years in the ocean, growing fat on baitfish and building the strength needed for their upstream journey. August and early September is prime time because they're transitioning from feeding mode to spawning mode, making them both aggressive and unpredictable. The bigger fish – what we call "hogs" – often feed early in the morning or late in the day, which is why our 8-hour trips give us the best shot at connecting with a trophy. What anglers love most about Chinook is their power and the way they use their weight and the current to their advantage during the fight.
Coho salmon bring a completely different energy to the trip. Where Chinook are bulldogs, Coho are like silver rockets. They typically run 6 to 15 pounds through Buoy 10, but don't let the size fool you – these fish jump more than any salmon species and have an attitude that's hard to match. Peak Coho activity happens from mid-August through the end of the season, and they're suckers for bright, flashy lures trolled at moderate speeds. Many anglers actually prefer fighting Coho because of their aerial displays and the way they never give up, even at the net. They're also excellent eating, with firm, flavorful meat that's perfect for the grill or smoker. The best part about targeting both species on the same trip is the variety – you never know which type of fight you're going to get when that rod tip starts bouncing.
This Buoy 10 season runs just over a month, making it one of the most concentrated fishing opportunities of the year. With the private boat, your group gets the full attention of the guide and the flexibility to fish the spots that are producing rather than following the
The Good Ju Ju cuts through Columbia River chop like she was born for it. This custom-built fishing machine features an extra heavy hull designed specifically for Astoria's challenging waters where the river meets the Pacific. When salmon are staging at Buoy 10, you'll appreciate her stable platform and smooth ride while working the tides for those famous Chinook and Coho runs. She comfortably fishes six anglers with plenty of room to work rods without getting tangled up. Equipped with GPS to mark productive spots, VHF radio for safety, and a fish finder to locate schools, she's got everything needed for serious salmon fishing. The reinforced construction handles rough water with confidence, keeping you on the fish when conditions get sloppy.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights here at Buoy 10, averaging 12-30 pounds with some bruisers pushing 40+. These silver-sided giants with black-spotted backs stage in the estuary's deeper channels before their upriver spawn. August through early September is prime time when they're aggressive and in top condition. Chinooks fight deep and strong rather than jumping, making long powerful runs that'll test your drag. The meat is rich and oily - some of the best eating you'll find. They tend to hold near the bottom in 15-30 feet, so we'll run our gear deep with heavy weights. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse it - let the fish tire itself out in the current and it'll come to the boat much easier.
Oncorhynchus KisutchSilver salmon bring the acrobatics to Buoy 10, typically running 8-15 pounds of pure energy. These chrome-bright fighters love the upper water column and will jump clear out of the water multiple times during a fight. Cohos cruise the estuary's edges and current breaks, often feeding near the surface on baitfish. They're incredibly aggressive during our August-September season, making them perfect for guests who want fast action. The bright orange meat is fantastic grilled or smoked. Unlike their larger Chinook cousins, silvers will take lures worked higher in the water and respond well to erratic retrieves. Local trick: if you see diving birds working bait, get your gear in that zone fast - cohos won't be far behind and they'll hit anything that moves.
Astoria, OR