5.0(2 Reviews)Winchester Bay Private Charter Combo Trip
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Private 7-hour combo targeting salmon, rockfish, and crab limitsExperienced guides navigate to most productive offshore watersTrip accommodates single guest with professional charter service
Looking for the ultimate fishing experience on Oregon's coast? This private 7-hour charter out of Winchester Bay delivers everything serious anglers dream about. You'll target hard-fighting salmon and tasty rockfish while pulling up fresh Dungeness crab – it's like hitting the seafood lottery all in one trip. Our local guides know these waters inside and out, from the productive salmon holes to the rocky structure where big lingcod hang out. Winchester Bay sits at the mouth of the Umpqua River, giving you quick access to both nearshore rockfish grounds and the deeper waters where salmon patrol. Whether you're after that trophy Chinook or just want a cooler full of dinner, this combo trip covers all the bases.
We launch early from Winchester Bay's protected harbor, giving you a full day to work the best fishing spots along this prime stretch of Oregon coast. The first part of your trip focuses on salmon and rockfish, hitting structure and current breaks where these fish congregate. You'll be fishing in 60 to 200 feet of water, depending on what's biting best. The boat's equipped with quality rods and reels, plus all the tackle you need – from herring for salmon to jigs and bait for rockfish. After working the fishing grounds, we'll set crab pots or pull existing ones for your Dungeness crab haul. The whole experience runs about 7 hours, giving you plenty of time to fill your limits and enjoy being out on the Pacific. This is a private charter, so it's just you and whoever you bring – no crowded party boat situation here.
We run a mix of techniques depending on conditions and what's biting. For salmon, we'll troll with downriggers using cut-plug herring or whole anchovies, adjusting depth based on where the fish are marking on the fish finder. When rockfish are the target, we switch to bottom fishing with heavy jigs, plastic baits, or fresh bait on dropper loop rigs. The rocky bottom here holds tons of structure, so we use gear heavy enough to pull fish up and away from the rocks. For crab, we deploy commercial-style pots baited with fish carcasses or chicken – the Dungeness crabs here are aggressive feeders and usually don't take long to find the bait. All rods, reels, tackle, and crab gear are provided, but feel free to bring your lucky rod if you've got one. We carry a full selection of weights, leaders, and terminal tackle to match whatever conditions we encounter.
Yellowtail rockfish are the bread and butter of this fishery, running 2 to 8 pounds with occasional bigger fish pushing double digits. These guys live around rocky structure in 100 to 300 feet of water and are aggressive biters year-round. They've got excellent white meat and are perfect for fish and chips or grilling whole. Best action typically happens during moving tides when they're actively feeding. What makes yellowtails special here is the size – Winchester Bay's rocky bottom and strong currents grow them bigger than you'll find in many other spots along the coast.
Coho salmon are the real prize fish on this trip, typically ranging from 8 to 15 pounds with some reaching 20-plus. These silver bullets show up in good numbers from late summer through fall, feeding heavily before heading into the rivers to spawn. Coho are incredible fighters – they'll jump, run, and give you a battle you won't forget. The meat is rich and flavorful, perfect for the grill or smoker. We target them in 80 to 200 feet of water, trolling the temperature breaks and bait schools they love to patrol. When you hook into a fresh ocean coho, you'll understand why so many anglers get addicted to salmon fishing.
This combo trip gives you the best of Winchester Bay fishing in one action-packed day. You'll leave with a cooler full of fresh salmon, rockfish, and crab – enough for several family dinners and some serious bragging rights. The private charter format means personalized attention from your guide and the flexibility to focus on what you want to catch most. Summer and fall offer the best salmon action, while rockfish bite consistently throughout the year. Crab seasons run most of the year with brief closures, so timing your trip right means going home with the full combo. Book early since private charters fill up fast, especially during peak salmon season. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so pick your dates carefully and get ready for one of the best fishing days you'll have on the Oregon coast.
This 2020 Hewescraft 28-footer is built for serious fishing action on Winchester Bay's productive waters. Twin 150hp Yamaha engines push this beauty up to 37 knots, getting you to the hot spots fast and back to the dock with your catch. The outriggers are perfect for trolling salmon lines while you work the deeper waters for rockfish. When it's time to pull crab pots, there's plenty of deck space to work. The fish finder helps locate schools and structure, while GPS and radar keep you on course even when the marine layer rolls in. The bait tank keeps your herring and anchovies lively, and the icebox ensures your salmon, rockfish, and crab stay fresh for the trip home. With a toilet onboard and VHF radio for safety, you can focus on what matters most – filling the boat with the day's catch. Whether you're battling a Chinook or hauling up Dungeness, this boat handles it all with room for up to 6 anglers to fish comfortably.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon are absolute fighters that'll give you everything they've got once hooked. These silver bullets typically run 8-12 pounds in our waters and are famous for their acrobatic jumps - they can leap six feet straight up when trying to throw your hook. We find them moving through Winchester Bay during their ocean-to-river migration, usually in the upper water column where they're actively feeding on baitfish and squid. The meat is rich orange-red and tastes amazing grilled or smoked. What guests love most is the fight - coho are scrappy and never give up easy. Best fishing happens when they're actively feeding in the early morning or late evening. Here's a local trick: when trolling for them, watch for diving birds working baitfish - that's where you'll find hungry coho underneath. Use bright lures like chartreuse or pink, and be ready for that first explosive jump when you set the hook.
Sebastes FlavidusYellowtail rockfish are one of the most reliable catches we target around Winchester Bay's rocky structure and reefs. These greenish-brown fish with their signature yellow tails typically run 11-15 inches, though we occasionally see bigger ones pushing two feet. Unlike other rockfish that suffer when brought up fast, yellowtails can actually handle the pressure change by releasing gas from their swim bladders - meaning better survival rates if you want to release one. They school up around boulders and rock walls anywhere from 30 to 300 feet deep, feeding on small crabs and fish. What makes them popular with guests is their mild, sweet, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. My tip: use a 30-foot leader with a float above your top hook when fishing the deeper structure - it keeps your bait just off the bottom where these guys like to cruise.
5.0 out of 5.0
Oregon