Fresh Ocean Salmon at the Columbia's Mouth
Private Trip
River Fishing
Target Coho and Chinook salmon at productive Buoy 10 fisheryFourhour guided charter accommodates up to six guests maximumFish Columbia River mouth where oceanfresh salmon stage upstream
If you're looking for some of the hottest salmon fishing on the West Coast, Buoy 10 in Astoria is where you need to be. This 4-hour guided charter puts you right in the action at one of the Columbia River's most legendary fisheries. We're talking ocean-fresh Chinook and Coho salmon that are staging at the river mouth before making their run upstream – and these fish are absolutely stacked up and ready to bite. With space for up to 6 anglers, you'll get plenty of elbow room and personalized attention from your guide while targeting some of the strongest, freshest salmon you'll ever hook into.
Your morning starts at the Astoria boat launch where you'll meet your guide and get rigged up for what locals call "combat fishing" – but don't worry, we're talking about the fish putting up the fight, not battling crowds. Buoy 10 sits right where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean, creating this perfect funnel where salmon congregate before heading upstream. The water here is a mix of salt and fresh, and the fish are aggressive and hungry. Your guide knows exactly where to position the boat based on tides, baitfish movement, and recent fish reports. Most trips see consistent action within the first hour, and it's not uncommon to have multiple fish on at once when you hit a school. The scenery is pretty spectacular too – you're fishing with the historic Astoria-Megler Bridge overhead and the rugged Oregon coastline stretching out to your west.
Buoy 10 fishing is all about trolling with herring, anchovies, or spinners behind downriggers and divers. Your guide will have everything set up – we're talking quality rods and reels, fresh bait, and all the terminal tackle you need. The key here is covering water and staying in the strike zone, which changes with the tide. Most successful setups run flashers and bait anywhere from 15 to 40 feet down, depending on where the fish are holding. Your guide will be constantly adjusting depth, speed, and location based on what the fish finder is showing and where other boats are finding success. The beauty of Buoy 10 is that when you find fish, you really find them – these salmon are grouped up tight and feeding aggressively. Don't be surprised if your guide has you switching between different bait presentations throughout the trip to match what the fish want that particular day.
Chinook salmon are the kings of the Columbia River system, and the ones at Buoy 10 are absolutely prime specimens. These ocean-bright fish typically run anywhere from 15 to 30 pounds, with some monsters pushing 40 pounds or more. August through September is peak season when both hatchery and wild Chinook are moving through in big numbers. What makes Chinook so special is their incredible power – when a big king takes your bait, it's like hooking into a freight train. They'll make long, screaming runs and test every knot in your setup. The meat is rich, oily, and perfect for the grill or smoker. Hatchery fish are marked with clipped adipose fins and are legal to keep, while wild fish get released to continue their spawning journey.
Coho salmon bring a different kind of excitement to Buoy 10 fishing. These silver rockets typically weigh 6 to 12 pounds and are absolute acrobats when hooked. Coho will jump, tailwalk, and pull tricks that'll have you whooping and hollering in the boat. They're often more aggressive biters than Chinook, especially in the morning and evening hours. Peak Coho action usually runs from late August through October, with September being the sweet spot. The meat on Coho is leaner than Chinook but incredibly flavorful, and they're perfect for canning or making into salmon burgers. Like Chinook, you'll encounter both hatchery and wild fish, with hatchery Coho identified by their clipped adipose fins. These fish stage in huge schools at Buoy 10, and when you get into them, the action can be absolutely electric with multiple hookups happening at once.
Buoy 10 has earned its reputation as one of the top-rated salmon fisheries in the Pacific Northwest for good reason – the combination of ocean-fresh fish, consistent action, and world-class scenery is tough to beat. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to add some Columbia River salmon to your bucket list or a newcomer wanting to experience what all the fuss is about, this half-day charter delivers the goods. Your guide's local knowledge and years of experience fishing these waters give you the best shot at success, and with only 6 spots available per trip, you'll get the personalized attention that makes the difference between a good day and a great day on the water. Don't wait too long to book – peak season dates fill up fast, and when word gets out that the fish are biting, spots disappear quickly.
Get ready to fish the legendary Buoy 10 waters aboard our brand-new 2023 River Wild Elite. This 26-footer is purpose-built for Columbia River salmon fishing, powered by a Yamaha 250 VMAX that'll cruise at 50 knots to get you on the fish fast. The boat handles ocean swells with ease while offering plenty of room for up to 6 anglers to work the water comfortably. State-of-the-art Garmin electronics help us locate schools of staging salmon, while the wireless trolling motor keeps us positioned quietly over productive spots. Complete with GPS navigation, VHF radio, and fish finder technology, this rig is designed to put you on those hard-fighting Coho and King salmon that make Buoy 10 famous. The Columbia River mouth is where ocean-fresh salmon gather before their upstream journey, and this boat gives us the perfect platform to target them in one of the Pacific Northwest's most productive fisheries.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights here at Buoy 10, running 12-30+ pounds with some real monsters pushing 40. These ocean-fresh fish stage right in our fishing zone before heading upriver, giving us shots at chrome-bright salmon with serious pulling power. They tend to hold deeper in the water column, especially during bright conditions, so we'll run our gear down 15-25 feet most days. The fight is pure power - long, steady runs that'll test your drag and patience. What really sets kings apart is that deep red meat that's perfect for the grill or smoker. Best fishing happens early morning or evening when they're more active. Pro tip: when you feel that first heavy thump, resist the urge to set hard - just lift steady and let the fish hook itself. These guys have soft mouths and you'll pull the hook right out if you're too aggressive.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon are the acrobats of the salmon world, typically running 8-15 pounds but making up for size with pure athleticism. These silver rockets can jump 6 feet straight up when hooked, putting on a show that gets everyone on the boat excited. At Buoy 10, they cruise the upper water column more than kings, often hitting lures just 10-15 feet down. The ocean-fresh coho we target here are bright silver with that classic blue-green back, and their orange-red meat is top-shelf eating. They love structure and current breaks where baitfish gather. Early fall is prime time when they're staging thick before their spawning run. Here's a local trick: when a coho jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward the water. It gives them slack during the jump so they can't throw the hook on a tight line. Works every time.
Portland, OR