5.0(2 Reviews)Winchester Bay 7-Hour Combo Charter
5.0(2 reviews)
Shared Trip
Offshore Fishing
Private 7hour combo targeting salmon, rockfish, and crabExperienced guides navigate to most productive offshore watersTrip accommodates single guest with personalized fishing experience
Winchester Bay delivers some of Oregon's most productive fishing waters, and this private 7-hour charter gives you the full experience. You'll spend your day targeting salmon and rockfish in prime offshore spots before switching gears to pull crab pots loaded with Dungeness. It's the kind of trip that fills your cooler and your memory bank – perfect for solo anglers who want the boat all to themselves or groups looking for that authentic Oregon coast fishing adventure.
Your day starts early at the Winchester Bay marina, where you'll meet your captain and get the lowdown on conditions. The Umpqua River bar can get interesting depending on swell and tide, but our skippers know these waters like the back of their hand. Once we clear the jetties, it's game time. We'll head to productive salmon grounds first while the bite is hot, then work rockfish structure before checking crab gear that's been soaking. The combo approach means you're always doing something – no dead time on this charter. Expect to cover 15-20 miles of ocean depending on where fish are holding, and don't be surprised if we adjust the game plan based on what's biting best.
We run a mix of downriggers and wire-line setups for salmon, typically pulling herring, anchovies, or flasher-and-hoochie combinations at depths ranging from 40 to 120 feet. For rockfish, we'll break out the bottom gear – heavy jigs, shrimp flies, and whatever's working that day. The key is matching your presentation to current conditions and fish mood. All tackle is provided, but feel free to bring your own rods if you've got favorites. For crab, we use standard ring nets and rectangular pots baited with fish carcasses from earlier catches – nothing beats fresh bait when you're after Dungeness. The captain will handle all the technical stuff like reading the fish finder and working GPS marks, so you can focus on fighting fish.
Yellowtail rockfish are the bread and butter of Winchester Bay bottom fishing. These feisty fighters average 3-5 pounds but can push 8-10 pounds when you find the right schools. They hit hard and fight all the way to the boat, making them perfect for anglers who want steady action. Yellowtails prefer rocky bottom structure in 150-300 feet of water and bite year-round, though summer and fall produce the most consistent fishing. What makes them special is their willingness to bite – even when salmon fishing is tough, you can usually count on yellowtails to keep your rod bent.
Coho salmon are the stars of the show from July through September. These silver bullets average 8-12 pounds but can reach 15+ pounds during peak season. Coho are known for their acrobatic fights – expect jumping, tail-walking, and long runs that'll test your drag system. They prefer the top 60 feet of the water column and respond well to trolled baits presented at 2-4 knots. The beauty of Winchester Bay coho is their numbers – when you find them, you often find them in schools that can provide non-stop action for hours.
This combo charter gives you the complete Winchester Bay experience in one action-packed day. You're getting salmon fishing, rockfish action, and fresh crab – three of Oregon's best seafood experiences rolled into seven hours on the water. The private charter format means you set the pace and priorities, whether that's focusing on limits of salmon or maximizing your rockfish numbers. With experienced local captains who know where fish hold during different seasons and conditions, you're setting yourself up for the kind of day that reminds you why Oregon coast fishing has such a reputation. Book now and get ready for a cooler full of fresh seafood and stories worth telling.
This 2020 Hewescraft 28-footer is built for serious fishing action off Winchester Bay. Twin 150hp Yamaha engines push this beauty up to 37 knots, getting you to the salmon grounds fast and back with your catch. The boat handles six anglers comfortably with outriggers for trolling, a bait tank to keep your herring lively, and a fish finder to locate schools. When the fog rolls in, radar keeps you safe, while GPS marks your hotspots. VHF radio connects you to other boats sharing intel on where fish are biting. An icebox keeps your salmon fresh and drinks cold during the 7-hour combo trip targeting rockfish, salmon, and crab. There's even a toilet onboard for those long days chasing limits. This rig is perfect for pulling crab pots then heading offshore for salmon or working the rocky bottom for lingcod and rockfish.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho are the acrobats of the salmon world - they'll jump 6 feet out of the water and put on a show that gets everyone's adrenaline pumping. These silver rockets typically weigh 8-12 pounds and are built for speed and aerial displays. We find them in the nearshore waters during their ocean phase, usually within a few miles of the bay. Summer through early fall is prime time when they're feeding heavily on baitfish and squid. The bright orange meat is top-shelf eating, and the fight is pure excitement from hook-up to net. What guests love most is their unpredictable nature - you never know when one will launch skyward. Pro tip: when trolling, watch for diving birds and bait balls - that's where the coho will be feeding aggressively.
Sebastes FlavidusYellowtails are one of my favorite rockfish to target because they're scrappy fighters that don't suffer from pressure changes like other rockfish - meaning better survival rates when released. These greenish-brown beauties with their signature yellow tails typically run 11-15 inches, though we occasionally see some pushing 25 inches. You'll find them schooling around rocky structure and reefs anywhere from 30 to 300 feet deep. They're active during the day and bite consistently spring through fall when conditions are stable. The meat is flaky with a mild, sweet flavor that's perfect for fish tacos. My local trick: use a 30-foot leader with a small jig tipped with bait - they're curious but can be line-shy in clear water.
5.0 out of 5.0
Oregon