4.0(2 Reviews)Salmon Fishing Charter - Winchester Bay
4.0(2 reviews)
Shared Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target salmon on Umpqua River or Pacific Ocean watersFivehour shared charter with expert guidance includedTwo salmon limit per person with gear provided
Ready to experience some of the best salmon fishing Oregon has to offer? Winchester Bay sits at the mouth of the Umpqua River, where fresh water meets the Pacific Ocean, creating one of the most productive salmon fishing grounds on the coast. This shared 5-hour charter takes you wherever the fish are biting hottest—whether that's working the deeper holes of the Umpqua or heading offshore into the blue Pacific waters. With a 2-salmon limit per person and top-quality gear provided, you'll have everything you need for a successful day chasing these hard-fighting fish.
Captain Travis and his crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish no matter what conditions throw at you. Some days that means working the river structure where salmon stage before their spawning runs, other times you'll head out past the bar to find schools feeding in the offshore currents. The boat is rigged with quality rods, reels, and tackle—everything from fresh bait to the latest lures that have been producing. Whether you're new to salmon fishing or you've been chasing these fish for years, the crew adapts their approach to make sure everyone has a shot at filling their limit. They'll handle the technical stuff like reading the sonar and adjusting tackle while you focus on the fun part: fighting fish.
Salmon fishing out of Winchester Bay requires different approaches depending on where the fish are holding. In the river, you'll often be drift fishing with cured eggs, sand shrimp, or spinners, working the deeper pools and current breaks where salmon rest during their upstream journey. When conditions allow a run offshore, the game changes to trolling with downriggers, running everything from flasher and hoochie setups to cut plug herring at various depths. The crew monitors water temperature, bait schools, and current breaks to dial in the most productive presentation. They keep multiple rod setups ready so you can quickly switch tactics when fish preferences change—and trust me, salmon can be finicky about what they want on any given day.
"We had a great time today with Captain Travis and his Deck hand. They really worked hard to get us on the fish, despite the rough seas. Plus we all limited out on crab. I would totally recommend going out with SOA charters if you want a great experience fishing the ocean. Thank you again for the great trip Capt. Travis." - Howard
"Travis and his baiter did an excellent job. They worked hard at finding the best spots to catch fish on our excursion, they kept the bait fresh and changed tackle as needed. Both were personable, friendly, helpful, and skilled at their jobs. The boat was clean and well kept. Travis even extended our trip to ensure everyone had the chance to catch a fish despite a front moving in and making it more challenging to get salmon to bite. They kept up with river and bar changes to ensure we had a safe and enjoyable trip. Unfortunately, the bar was closed by the Coast Guard for ships smaller than 40 ft in length due to water conditions which prevented us from having more opportunity to catch fish. I highly recommend the charter. No children were on the charter we took so I can not speak to how well they do with children but they were very helpful to both novice and experienced fishers." - Judith
Chinook Salmon are the kings of Pacific salmon, and the ones running through Winchester Bay are some of the finest you'll find anywhere. These bruisers typically range from 15 to 40 pounds, with the occasional fish pushing even bigger. Spring Chinook start showing up in April and May, with the fall run bringing fresh ocean-bright fish from August through October. What makes Chinook so special is their incredible fighting ability—they'll make long, powerful runs and use their bulk to test your drag system. The meat is rich, oily, and perfect for the grill or smoker. When you hook into a big king, you'll know it immediately from the way your rod doubles over and line starts screaming off the reel.
Coho Salmon might be smaller than their Chinook cousins, but pound-for-pound they're some of the most athletic fish in the ocean. These silver rockets typically weigh between 8 and 15 pounds and are famous for their aerial displays once hooked. Coho are aggressive feeders and will often hit lures with authority, making them a blast to catch on lighter tackle. They're most abundant from late summer through early fall, when schools of them stage offshore before making their spawning runs. The meat is excellent eating—milder than Chinook but still rich with omega-3s. Coho are perfect for anglers who want consistent action, as they tend to school up and when you find one, there are usually more nearby.
Winchester Bay offers world-class salmon fishing, but the best trips fill up fast during peak season. With the Umpqua River and Pacific Ocean both holding fish at different times of year, there's almost always a bite to be found if you know where to look—and Captain Travis definitely knows where to look. The 2-salmon limit gives you a realistic goal for the day while ensuring healthy fish populations for future seasons. Whether conditions call for working the river structure or making a run offshore, you'll be fishing productive water with experienced guides who put fish in the boat. Don't wait to reserve your spot on this customer-favorite charter—salmon seasons are short and the best fishing windows even shorter.
Get ready to chase salmon aboard our 2020 Hewescraft – a 28-foot fishing machine built for the Oregon coast. Twin 150hp Yamaha engines push this beauty to 37 knots, getting you to the hot spots fast whether we're working the Umpqua River or heading offshore into Pacific waters. She's rigged with everything serious anglers need: outriggers for trolling, fish finder to locate schools, GPS and radar for navigation, plus VHF radio for safety. The bait tank keeps your herring lively, while the icebox handles your catch and cold drinks. With space for 6 anglers and a toilet onboard, you can focus on what matters – landing those hard-fighting Oregon salmon. Our expert crew knows these waters inside and out, taking you wherever the bite is best. Quality gear included, just bring your fishing license and get ready to fill your cooler with fresh salmon.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the giants of the salmon world, averaging 12-30 pounds but sometimes hitting 40+ in our waters. These silver-sided bruisers with black-spotted backs stay deep during the day since they're light-sensitive, so we'll be fishing 30-80 feet down most of the time. They hit hard and fight dirty, making long runs that'll test your arms. The meat is rich and buttery - best eating you'll find. Early morning and evening are prime time when they move up in the water column. Here's a local trick: when trolling herring, add a slight bend to make it spin - kings can't resist that wounded baitfish action.
Oncorhynchus KisutchSilver salmon are pure dynamite on the end of your line. These acrobatic fighters average 8-12 pounds and love to jump - sometimes clearing 6 feet straight up when hooked. You'll find them cruising mid-depth around 20-50 feet, often near structure or current breaks. They've got bright silver sides with dark backs, and the meat is that beautiful orange-red color that tastes amazing on the grill. Cohos are aggressive biters and will chase down a lure, making them perfect for both seasoned anglers and beginners. Pro tip: when you see them rolling on the surface, switch to a bright pink or chartreuse spinner - they'll hammer it.
4.0 out of 5.0We had a great time today with Captain Travis and his Deck hand. They really worked hard to get us on the fish, despite the rough ...
Travis and his baiter did an excellent job. They worked hard at finding the best spots to catch fish on our excursion, they kept ...
Oregon