Buoy 10 Chinook and Coho Salmon Fishing
Shared Trip
River Fishing
Target Chinook and Coho at Columbia River's prime fisheryEighthour shared trips run August through early SeptemberAll rods, bait, and fishing gear included with booking
When salmon anglers talk about bucket-list fishing in the Pacific Northwest, Buoy 10 sits at the top of that list. This legendary fishery where the Columbia River dumps into the Pacific Ocean creates a natural staging area for some of the strongest salmon runs on the West Coast. From August 1st through September 2nd, we're targeting prime Chinook and Coho as they gather in massive schools before making their final push upriver. This isn't your typical river fishing—we're dealing with tidal influence, ocean swells, and aggressive fish that have been feeding hard in the Pacific. It's an 8-hour shared trip that puts you right in the heart of the action during peak season.
Buoy 10 fishing means we're working the estuary where two worlds collide—fresh Columbia River water mixing with Pacific saltwater creates this incredible salmon highway. The area gets its name from the navigation buoy that marks the river mouth, and it's here that thousands of salmon stage before continuing their spawning journey. Early morning launches give us the best shot at fish, and we'll spend the day covering different zones depending on tide, current, and where the fish are showing. The setting is pretty spectacular too—you've got the Astoria-Megler Bridge spanning overhead, ocean swells rolling in from the west, and mountains framing the Columbia Gorge to the east. Weather can change quick out here, so we come prepared for everything from flat calm to choppy conditions. The boat handles it all, but first-timers should know this isn't lake fishing—there's real current and tide to work with.
Buoy 10 is all about trolling with the current, and we've got the proven setups that produce fish year after year. We're running downriggers to get our gear down to where the salmon are holding, typically anywhere from 15 to 50 feet depending on conditions and fish location. The standard rig here is a flasher and hoochie combo—those bright spinning flashers attract fish from a distance, while the hoochie mimics the baitfish salmon are feeding on. We'll also mix in some spoons and plugs when the bite calls for it. Herring is the go-to bait, and we rig it with just the right curve to give it that wounded baitfish action salmon can't resist. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait come with the trip, so you don't need to worry about gear. The technique is pretty straightforward—we're constantly adjusting speed, depth, and direction based on what the fish finder shows us and how other boats are doing. When a rod goes off, you'll know it—these fish hit hard and fight even harder.
The Chinook we're targeting at Buoy 10 are absolute bruisers—these ocean-bright fish average 15 to 25 pounds, with plenty of 30-pounders mixed in and the occasional fish pushing 40 pounds or more. They've been feeding in the Pacific for years, building up that incredible strength and fighting power that makes Columbia River Chinook famous among anglers. Peak Chinook action typically runs from mid-August through the end of the month, when the big kings are staging in heavy numbers. Coho are the other main target, and while they're smaller at 8 to 15 pounds, they make up for it with acrobatic fights and aggressive strikes. These silver salmon are fresh from the ocean and absolutely chrome bright—they'll jump, run, and fight right to the boat. Coho numbers usually peak in late August and early September, giving us that perfect window when both species are available. What makes fishing here special is the sheer volume of fish moving through—on good days, you might mark salmon from the surface down to 60 feet, with schools stretching for miles.
Chinook salmon at Buoy 10 represent some of the finest fishing the Columbia River system offers. These are the legendary "king" salmon that anglers travel from across the country to target. The fish we're catching here spent 3 to 5 years in the Pacific, feeding on anchovies, sardines, and squid to build the size and strength that makes them such prized gamefish. August Chinook are in prime condition—ocean-bright with that deep silver color and incredible fighting power. They hit like freight trains and use the current to their advantage, making long runs that test your drag and your arms. The meat quality is outstanding too, with that rich, firm texture that makes Columbia River salmon famous in restaurants from Seattle to San Francisco.
Coho salmon bring a completely different energy to Buoy 10 fishing. These silver bullets are built for speed and acrobatics, often launching completely out of the water when hooked. They're more aggressive strikers than Chinook, often hitting lures with violent strikes that can catch you off guard. Coho typically run 8 to 15 pounds in this system, but what they lack in size they make up for with pure fighting spirit. They've got this amazing chrome-bright coloration when fresh from the ocean, with just a hint of pink starting to show as spawning season approaches. Late August and early September Coho are absolute dynamos—they'll jump, dive, and make screaming runs that keep you guessing right up until they're in the net. The eating quality is fantastic too, with that classic salmon flavor that's perfect for the grill or smoker.
Buoy 10 season is short but sweet—that five-week window from August 1st through September 2nd represents some of the most consistent salmon fishing you'll find anywhere. This fishery has built its reputation over decades of producing fish when other areas slow down, and there's a reason guides and anglers plan their entire season around these dates. The trip
The Good Ju Ju cuts through Columbia River chop like she was born for these waters around Astoria. Built with an extra heavy hull, she handles the rough stuff where the river meets the Pacific while keeping you comfortable on deck. This fishing machine seats six comfortably and gets you right to where the Chinook and Coho are staging. GPS keeps us on the productive water, VHF radio keeps us connected, and the fish finder shows us what's below. During the peak August through September run, we'll troll through the current with setups that work, targeting salmon in prime condition before they head upriver. The boat's stable platform makes fighting these strong fish a blast, and the smooth ride means you can focus on fishing instead of holding on.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKnown as Kings for good reason—these are the heavyweights of the salmon world, averaging 15-25 pounds with some pushing 40+. Chinooks have silver sides with a blue-green back and distinctive black gums that help with identification. At Buoy 10, they stage in deeper water as they prepare for their upstream journey, making late summer prime time for targeting them. What makes Kings special is their incredible strength and that rich, orange-red meat that's hard to beat on the table. They'll test your drag and give you a fight you won't forget. Pro tip: since they prefer staying deep in the water column, we run our gear down 20-40 feet and troll with the current—patience pays off when you hook into one of these bruisers.
Oncorhynchus KisutchSilver salmon are the acrobats of the bunch, known for their aerial displays and scrappy attitude. Typically running 8-12 pounds, they make up for size with pure energy—these fish can jump 6 feet straight up when hooked. Cohos have bright silver sides with small black spots on their backs and tails. They tend to hunt in the upper water column, especially around structure and current breaks where baitfish gather. The late summer run at Buoy 10 puts them in prime condition, fat from ocean feeding and ready to fight. Their firm, pink meat is top-notch eating. What guests love most is how aggressive they are—Cohos will often hit lures hard and put on a show. My advice: keep your drag smooth and rod tip up when they go airborne, or you'll lose them at the boat.
Astoria, OR