Buoy 10 Astoria Salmon Fishing Charter
Private Trip
River Fishing
8hour guided salmon fishing at productive Buoy 10 locationTarget large King Chinook and strong Coho salmon runsSmall 2guest capacity ensures personalized fishing experience
When salmon anglers talk about bucket-list fishing destinations, Buoy 10 always comes up in the conversation. This 8-hour guided charter puts you right in the heart of the Columbia River's legendary salmon runs, just inside the river mouth where massive Kings and feisty Coho stage before heading upstream. You'll be fishing some of the most productive water on the West Coast with a captain who knows exactly where the fish are holding and what they're biting on any given day.
Your day starts early at the Astoria docks, where you'll meet your captain and get the rundown on conditions and game plan. The boat ride out to Buoy 10 is short – maybe 15 minutes – but the anticipation builds as you see other boats already working the area. This fishery is famous for a reason: when the salmon are in, they're really in. You'll be fishing alongside some of the best guides on the river, but don't worry about crowds – there's plenty of water and your captain knows the sweet spots that produce consistently. The 2-guest maximum means you get personalized attention and plenty of rod time without fighting for space at the rail. Your guide will be watching the electronics, adjusting tackle, and putting you on fish all day long.
Buoy 10 is primarily a trolling fishery, and your captain has it dialed in. You'll be pulling herring, spinners, or plugs behind the boat at precise speeds and depths – usually anywhere from 15 to 40 feet down depending on where the fish are showing on the finder. The tackle setup is crucial here: you need enough weight to get down in the current, but not so much that you lose the action on your lure. Your guide handles all the technical stuff – downrigger settings, line counter reels, and choosing the right gear for conditions. When a rod goes off, you'll know it immediately. These Columbia River salmon don't mess around – they hit hard and fight harder. The key is staying patient between bites and letting your captain work the water methodically.
The Chinook Salmon here are absolute bruisers – we're talking fish that regularly push 20 to 30 pounds, with occasional monsters over 40. These Kings have been feeding in the Pacific for years, building up strength for their final upstream journey. They're aggressive, powerful, and when you hook one, you'll know why anglers travel from across the country to fish Buoy 10. The fight is pure adrenaline: long runs, head shakes, and jumps that'll have you whooping. Coho Salmon bring a different kind of excitement – they're smaller but absolutely acrobatic. A hot Coho will jump repeatedly, often throwing the hook if you're not careful with your drag settings. Both species are prime table fare, and your captain can point you toward the best fish cleaning stations back at the dock.
Chinook Salmon at Buoy 10 are in full feeding mode before they transition to spawning behavior. These fish average 15 to 25 pounds but can reach well over 40 pounds, making them the prize catch of the Columbia River system. Peak season runs from mid-August through September, when massive schools of Kings stage in the lower river. What makes Chinook so exciting to target here is their aggressive nature – they're actively feeding on baitfish and will slam a properly presented lure. The fight is legendary: powerful runs toward deep water, bulldogging near the bottom, and surprising bursts of speed that test your tackle and technique. Your captain knows to look for diving birds, bait schools on the electronics, and other telltale signs that Kings are in the area.
Coho Salmon bring pure excitement to Buoy 10, typically running 6 to 12 pounds but making up for size with incredible aerial displays. These silver bullets are known for their acrobatic fights – expect multiple jumps, fast runs, and unpredictable direction changes that keep you on your toes. The Columbia River hosts some of the strongest Coho runs anywhere on the West Coast, with peak fishing usually hitting in late August and early September. What anglers love about Coho is their willingness to bite and their spectacular fights in the shallow water near the river mouth. They're also excellent eating, with firm, flavorful meat that's perfect for the grill or smoker. Your guide knows the subtle differences in how Coho and Chinook show on the fish finder, helping target whichever species is more active on any given day.
Buoy 10 season is short but sweet, running roughly from mid-August through September when salmon runs peak. This world-class fishery books up fast, especially during prime season when both Chinook and Coho are present in large numbers. With only 2 guests per trip, you'll get the personalized attention and rod time that makes for a truly memorable day on the water. Your captain's local knowledge, combined with top-notch tackle and a proven boat, gives you the best shot at hooking into Columbia River salmon. Whether you're after a trophy King for the wall or a cooler full of eating fish, this charter puts you right where the action is hottest. The combination of productive water, experienced guiding, and fish of a lifetime makes this one of the top-rated salmon charters on the Oregon coast.
Get ready to chase salmon in style aboard our 26' River Wild Elite! This 2023 beauty packs a Yamaha 250 VMAX that'll cruise at 50 knots, getting you to the hottest fishing spots fast. Built tough for ocean conditions, she's perfect for working the Columbia River waters around Buoy 10 where those monster Chinook and feisty Coho are waiting. The boat comes loaded with state-of-the-art Garmin electronics to help pinpoint schools of fish, plus a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches when the salmon get finicky. GPS keeps us on track, VHF radio ensures safety, and the fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating your next trophy. With room for up to 6 anglers total, there's plenty of space to land that fish of a lifetime without bumping elbows.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the prize of Buoy 10, and for good reason. These monsters average 15-25 pounds here, but we regularly see fish pushing 30-40 pounds during peak season. They're silver with distinctive black spots and that telltale black mouth. Kings stay deep in the water column, usually 20-60 feet down, which is why we use downriggers and heavy tackle. Late summer through early fall is prime time when they stage at the river mouth. What makes them special? They fight like freight trains and the meat is rich, oily perfection. Here's a local tip: when the bite slows, switch to a slower trolling speed—these big fish often prefer a lazier presentation than you'd think.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho are pure adrenaline on a fishing rod. These silver rockets typically run 8-12 pounds at Buoy 10, but don't let the smaller size fool you—they're absolute acrobats. You'll find them in the top 40 feet of water, often mixed with the kings but shallower. They hit lures hard and immediately go airborne, sometimes jumping 6 feet clear of the water. Peak season here runs August through September when massive schools pour through. The meat is bright orange and tastes fantastic. What sets coho apart is their aggressive nature and spectacular fights. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse them—let them tire themselves out with those crazy jumps, then reel them in.
Portland, OR