Buoy 10 Chinook and Coho Salmon Fishing
Shared Trip
River Fishing
Target Chinook and Coho salmon at iconic Buoy 10 fisheryEight-hour shared trips run August 1 through September 2All rods, bait, and gear included for two guests
When salmon fever hits the Pacific Northwest, there's no better cure than getting out to Buoy 10. This world-class fishery sits right where the Columbia River dumps into the Pacific Ocean, creating one of the most productive salmon runs on the West Coast. From August 1st through September 2nd, you'll join me for an 8-hour shared charter that puts you right in the thick of the action. We're talking aggressive Chinook and feisty Coho staging in the estuary before their epic journey upriver. The timing couldn't be better – these fish are fresh from the ocean, chrome-bright, and ready to fight. All your gear, bait, and tackle are covered, so just bring yourself and get ready for some serious salmon fishing.
Buoy 10 isn't your typical river fishing spot – this is where big water meets bigger fish. The Columbia River mouth creates a unique environment where salmon stack up in massive numbers, and the action can be absolutely electric when conditions align. We'll launch early to make the most of our 8 hours, heading straight to the productive zones where the river current mixes with Pacific swells. The water here has personality – it's constantly changing with tides, wind, and river flow, which keeps the fishing interesting and the salmon moving. You'll experience the rush of fishing in sight of ocean swells while still being in the river system, giving you the best of both worlds. The scenery is pretty spectacular too, with the Oregon and Washington coastlines framing your fishing adventure. This customer-favorite trip runs during peak season when salmon numbers are at their highest, making it a top-rated choice for serious anglers.
At Buoy 10, trolling is the name of the game, and we've got it dialed in. We'll be pulling proven setups through the current zones where salmon cruise and feed. I've got all the rods rigged and ready with the right weights, flashers, and lures that these Columbia River salmon can't resist. We're talking about running multiple lines at different depths to cover the water column effectively. The key here is reading the water and adjusting our approach based on what the fish are telling us. Some days they want bright chrome spoons, other days it's all about herring behind a dodger. The current at Buoy 10 does a lot of the work for us, but knowing how to work with these flows separates a good day from an epic one. I'll handle all the technical stuff – you just focus on feeling that telltale thump on the rod tip that means game on. The gear I provide is tournament-grade stuff that can handle the powerful runs these salmon are famous for.
Chinook salmon are the undisputed kings of the Columbia, and Buoy 10 serves up some of the finest specimens you'll find anywhere. These bruisers typically run 15-40 pounds, with the occasional monster pushing even bigger numbers. August and early September is prime time as they stage in the estuary, feeding heavily before their spawning run. What makes Chinook so exciting to catch here is their incredible power – they'll strip line off your reel in long, determined runs and aren't afraid to jump when they feel the hook. The fish at Buoy 10 are ocean-bright and in peak condition, making them both beautiful to look at and fantastic on the dinner table.
Coho salmon bring a completely different energy to the fight, and they're absolute acrobats when hooked. These silver bullets typically range from 6-15 pounds but make up for their smaller size with pure attitude. Coho are notorious for their aerial displays, often launching themselves completely out of the water multiple times during the fight. They're incredibly aggressive during the Buoy 10 season, often hitting lures with reckless abandon that'll catch you off guard. The late summer run coincides perfectly with our trip dates, when these fish are at their most active. Many anglers actually prefer the Coho fight because of their unpredictable nature – you never know if they're going to dive deep or start jumping like a tarpon.
The Buoy 10 season is short but sweet, and dates fill up fast once word gets out about the fishing. This renowned Columbia River fishery only fires up for about five weeks each year, making every trip precious. With free cancellation up to three days out, there's no risk in securing your spot early. The price covers two guests, so bring a fishing buddy and split the cost of what's guaranteed to be one of the best salmon fishing experiences in the Pacific Northwest. Don't wait until the last minute – the top-rated guides book solid during peak season, and you don't want to be stuck on shore when the salmon are running hot at Buoy 10.
The Good Ju Ju was purpose-built for the challenging waters around Astoria, where the Columbia River crashes into the Pacific. Her heavy-duty hull slices through choppy conditions while keeping you comfortable during long days chasing salmon. This fishing platform seats six comfortably, giving everyone room to work their lines without getting tangled up. When the Chinook and Coho are running hot at Buoy 10, you'll appreciate the GPS keeping us on productive water and the fish finder marking schools below. The VHF radio keeps us connected to other boats sharing intel on where fish are biting. During peak season from August through September, this estuary becomes salmon highway central, and The Good Ju Ju puts you right in the action where these powerful fish stage before their upriver journey.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKings are the biggest salmon you'll encounter at Buoy 10, typically running 15-30 pounds with some real bruisers pushing 40+. These silver-sided giants with black-spotted backs and tails hang deeper in the water column, usually 20-40 feet down where the current breaks. August through early September is prime time as they stage before their upriver spawn. What makes Chinooks special is their incredible strength - they'll peel drag and test your patience with long, powerful runs. The meat is rich and buttery, perfect for the grill. Here's a local tip: when you feel that first heavy headshake, resist the urge to horse them up. Keep steady pressure and let them tire themselves out in the current. Their black gums are the telltale sign you've got a true King on the line.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCohos are the acrobats of the salmon world, averaging 8-12 pounds and known for their aerial shows when hooked. These silver bullets prefer the upper water column, often found 10-20 feet down in the mixing currents where fresh meets salt. They're aggressive biters during our August-September window, especially when the morning bite is on. What guests love about Cohos is their explosive fight - they'll jump, run, and put on a real show before coming to net. The bright orange meat is outstanding table fare with a cleaner taste than their bigger King cousins. Pro tip for Buoy 10: when targeting Cohos, don't be afraid to speed up your troll. They love chasing fast-moving baits through the current seams, and that aggressive strike will wake up anyone dozing in the boat.
Astoria, OR