Ultimate Salmon & Crabbing Charter – Tillamook Bay
Private Trip
River Fishing
Fullday private charter targets Chinook and Coho salmonCombines salmon fishing with handson Dungeness crab harvestingEighthour adventure accommodates maximum two guests
If you're looking for the perfect combination of world-class salmon fishing and hands-on crabbing, this full-day charter on Tillamook Bay delivers exactly what Oregon's coast is famous for. With just two anglers max, you'll get personalized attention from your guide while targeting both Chinook and Coho salmon in one of the Pacific Northwest's most productive estuaries. Eight hours on the water means plenty of time to work the best spots, adjust techniques as conditions change, and pull crab pots loaded with fresh Dungeness. This isn't your typical crowded charter boat experience – it's an intimate day designed around what the fish are doing and where the crab are biting.
Tillamook Bay offers some of the most consistent salmon action on the Oregon coast, and this charter puts you right in the heart of it. Your day starts early, meeting at the dock before first light to maximize your time on productive water. The bay's unique geography creates perfect staging areas for both Chinook and Coho as they prepare for their spawning runs, giving you shots at fish that are aggressive and well-fed. Between salmon runs, you'll be working crab pots in prime Dungeness habitat – rocky bottoms and eelgrass beds where these prized crustaceans love to hang out. The beauty of a private charter this size is flexibility. If the salmon are hot in the morning, you'll stay on them. If the afternoon tide brings better crabbing, that's where you'll focus. Your guide reads the water, weather, and wildlife to keep you on fish all day long.
Salmon fishing in Tillamook Bay requires reading the tides and understanding how these fish move through the system. You'll primarily be trolling with downriggers and divers, covering water efficiently while presenting your bait at the right depth. Herring, anchovies, and spinners are go-to baits, but your guide will match the presentation to current conditions and fish preferences. For Chinook, expect to fish deeper structure and main channels where these kings like to cruise. Coho fishing often happens closer to the surface, especially when they're chasing baitfish in the shallows. The crabbing side involves setting and checking pots baited with fresh fish scraps. Dungeness crab prefer specific bottom types and depths, so your guide knows exactly where to drop pots for maximum success. All gear is provided, from heavy salmon rods capable of handling big kings to crab rings and measuring tools to ensure you're keeping legal-sized crabs.
Chinook Salmon are the crown jewel of Pacific salmon fishing, and Tillamook Bay produces some true monsters. These kings can push 40+ pounds in peak season, though most fish range from 15-30 pounds of pure muscle. Chinook hit hard and fight dirty, using their size and the bay's current to test your drag and technique. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, with the largest fish typically showing up during summer months. What makes hooking a Chinook so special is their unpredictability – they might take off on a screaming run or dive deep and bulldoze toward structure. Either way, you're in for a battle that'll leave your arms burning and your adrenaline pumping.
Coho Salmon bring a completely different energy to your fishing day. These silver rockets rarely exceed 15 pounds, but what they lack in size they make up for in pure acrobatics. A hooked Coho will jump, twist, and run with an intensity that keeps you guessing until it's in the net. They're incredibly aggressive feeders, often striking lures with such violence that they hook themselves. Coho peak during late summer and early fall, when schools move through the bay in impressive numbers. Many anglers actually prefer the consistent action and aerial displays of Coho over the brute strength of Chinook – there's something addictive about watching these fish launch themselves completely out of the water.
This charter represents everything that makes Oregon coast fishing special – top-rated salmon fishing combined with fresh Dungeness crab in one of the state's most productive estuaries. The two-angler limit ensures you're not fighting crowds for rod space or competing for your guide's attention. Eight hours gives you time to adapt to conditions, work multiple spots, and maximize both your salmon and crab success. Tillamook Bay's reputation as a customer favorite isn't built on luck – it's consistent production, stunning coastal scenery, and the kind of fishing stories you'll be telling for years. Whether you're targeting your first Chinook or you're a seasoned angler looking for that next personal best, this charter delivers the goods. Book now and get ready for a day that showcases exactly why the Pacific Northwest is considered the world's best salmon fishing destination.
Hit the waters of Tillamook Bay aboard our brand-new 2023 River Wild Elite, a 26-foot powerhouse that'll get you to the salmon and crab spots fast. This beauty runs on a Yamaha 250 VMAX that cruises at 50 knots, so we're not wasting time getting to where the fish are biting. The boat's loaded with cutting-edge Garmin electronics to pinpoint schools and structure, plus a wireless trolling motor for those stealthy approaches when the salmon get finicky. GPS keeps us on course while the VHF radio ensures we stay connected. Built for serious anglers, this rig handles both river runs and ocean swells with ease. Whether we're pulling lines for Chinook and Coho or dropping crab pots for Dungeness, you'll fish in comfort with plenty of room to work your gear. The fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating productive water, giving us the edge we need for a successful day targeting Oregon's prized salmon and crab.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights of Tillamook Bay, running 12-39 inches and 7-15 pounds, though we see plenty over 20 pounds. These silver-sided bruisers with blue-green backs love deeper water and structure, staying close to the bottom during daylight hours. Early morning and evening produce the best action when they move up to feed. What makes targeting them special is their raw power – they'll test your drag and stamina like no other salmon. The meat is top-shelf too, with that rich orange-red color that makes for perfect grilling. Pro tip: use heavier tackle and get your bait down deep with plenty of weight. They're light-sensitive, so don't be afraid to fish right on the bottom where they're comfortable.
Oncorhynchus KisutchSilver salmon bring the acrobatics to Tillamook Bay. These 12-30 inch fighters average 8-12 pounds but pack serious attitude. They'll jump 6 feet straight up when hooked, making every hookup a show. You'll find them in the bay's calmer areas near structure and debris, especially where fresh water mixes with salt. They move through different depths depending on conditions, but often cruise mid-water column hunting baitfish. What guests love most is their aggressive strikes and aerial displays – pure adrenaline on the line. The bright orange meat is fantastic eating too. Here's a local trick: when they're finicky, try bright colors like chartreuse or pink in your lures. Coho can't resist flashy presentations, especially on overcast days when they're more active.
Portland, OR