5.0(1 Reviews)Full Day Warrenton River Salmon Charter
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
River Fishing
Fullday Chinook and Coho salmon fishing on Warrenton riversEight hours of guided angling at prime local fishing spotsSingle guest capacity ensures personalized fishing experience
When you're looking for a serious salmon fishing adventure on the Oregon coast, this full-day charter with Shirley Catch Guide Service delivers exactly what local anglers have been talking about. We're talking about an 8-hour deep dive into Warrenton's best fishing waters, where Chinook and Coho salmon run thick during peak season. This isn't your typical tourist trip – it's designed for one angler who wants the full attention of an experienced guide and access to the spots that consistently produce fish. You'll be working the prime holding water where these Pacific salmon stage up, and with Shirley's local knowledge spanning decades on these rivers, you're getting insider access to techniques and locations that put fish in the boat.
Your day starts early because that's when salmon bite best – typically we're launching before sunrise to hit the productive morning bite. Shirley knows these Warrenton waters like the back of his hand, and he'll adjust the game plan based on current conditions, recent fish reports, and seasonal patterns. Some days we're working the deeper holes where Chinook stage up before their spawning runs, other days we're targeting the shallower runs where aggressive Coho are feeding. The beauty of this full-day format is flexibility – when one spot slows down, we move to the next productive area. You'll be learning as you fish, picking up techniques for reading water, understanding salmon behavior, and mastering the presentations that trigger strikes. The single-angler capacity means you get personalized instruction and maximum time with your rod in the water.
We're primarily working with medium-heavy spinning or baitcasting setups matched to the target species and water conditions. For Chinook, that means heavier tackle capable of handling 20-30 pound fish in current, while Coho fishing lets us scale down slightly for more sporting fights. Depending on the day, we might be backtrolling with roe or running spinners through productive drifts. When fish are holding tight to structure, we'll work jigs vertically or drift bait through the strike zone. Shirley provides all the terminal tackle and knows which presentations work best on any given day – sometimes it's as simple as a properly presented cluster of roe, other days the fish want moving baits like spinners or spoons. The key is adapting to what the salmon are telling us through their feeding behavior and positioning in the water column.
"First time ever meeting Shirley and being on his boat was chaos. BUT THE GOOD KIND! I honestly don't remember how many chinook we caught because it was lights out. Tons of fun. Tons of laughs. He's an awesome, knowledgeable, kind guy! Well worth it all to be able to get out with him! Definitely recommend!!!!" - Zach
Chinook Salmon are the kings of these waters, and for good reason. These bruisers typically run 15-30 pounds in Warrenton's rivers, with occasional fish pushing even bigger. They're most active during their fall runs from August through October, though we see fish moving through from late summer into winter depending on rain patterns. What makes Chinook so special is their power – when a big king takes your bait and makes its first run, you'll understand why salmon fishing gets addictive. They fight deep and strong, using the current to their advantage. The eating quality is top-notch too, with rich, firm flesh that's perfect for the grill or smoker.
Coho Salmon bring a completely different energy to the fight. These silver bullets typically run 8-15 pounds but make up for their smaller size with acrobatic fights that'll have your drag screaming. September and October are prime time for Coho in this area, when they're bright and aggressive after feeding in the ocean. They're notorious for their jumps – sometimes three or four times before you get them to the net. Coho also school up more than Chinook, so when you find them, you can often catch multiple fish from the same area. Their meat is excellent table fare, slightly milder than Chinook but still rich and flaky.
Rainbow Trout in these waters are typically sea-run fish, meaning they've been feeding in saltwater and are in prime condition. These aren't your typical pond rainbows – we're talking about fish that have been gorging on marine food sources and return to freshwater fat and strong. They average 16-20 inches but fight like fish twice their size. Winter steelhead runs can produce some real trophies, and even resident rainbows benefit from the nutrient-rich waters where salmon spawn. They're beautiful fish with that classic rainbow coloration and provide steady action when salmon fishing slows down.
Green Sturgeon are the wildcard species that can show up any time during the season. These ancient fish are catch-and-release only, but landing one is like hooking into a submarine. They can live over 70 years and reach massive sizes, though the fish we encounter are typically in the 4-6 foot range. Sturgeon fishing requires patience and heavy tackle, but when one picks up your bait, you're in for a long, powerful fight. They're bottom feeders that cruise the deeper holes and channels, often picking up salmon baits intended for other species. It's always exciting when a sturgeon crashes the party.
This full-day Warrenton salmon charter represents some of the best value fishing on the Oregon coast. You're getting eight hours of guided fishing with a captain who knows these waters inside and out, access to prime salmon holding areas, and personalized instruction that'll make you a better angler. The single-angler capacity means no sharing the boat with strangers or waiting for other people to land their fish. Salmon seasons are short and productive windows even shorter, so booking early is essential for securing
Jump aboard our restored 24' Alumaweld aluminum fishing boat, built to handle Warrenton's river conditions with confidence. This solid 1997 vessel got a complete makeover in 2020 and runs on a reliable 175HP Mercury engine that'll get you to the hot spots fast, cruising up to 35 knots when we need to chase the bite. The aluminum hull cuts through the water smoothly while keeping you stable when you're fighting that big Chinook or feisty Coho. Our GPS navigation system gets you to those productive fishing zones efficiently, while the fish finder helps locate schools and structure where salmon like to hold. With room for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of space to work your lines without getting tangled up with your fishing buddies. The boat's designed for serious river fishing – sturdy enough for the Columbia's currents yet nimble enough to work the smaller tributaries where salmon stage up during their runs.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights of our waters, running 12-39 inches and 7-15 pounds, though 20-30 pounders show up regularly. These silver-sided bruisers with black-spotted fins are light-sensitive, so they hug deeper water during the day. Early morning and evening produce the best action. The reddish-pink meat is primo table fare, and their raw power makes every hookup memorable. You'll find them in deeper channels and current breaks. Since they stay deep, weighted baits or downriggers work best. Trolling with herring, spoons, or plugs covers water effectively. Local tip: on bright days, go with chartreuse and blue patterns; on overcast days, try blue-black or purple combinations.
Oncorhynchus KisutchSilver salmon are pure athletes, averaging 12-30 inches and 8-12 pounds. These acrobatic fighters can jump up to 6 feet vertically when hooked - quite a show! They move between freshwater and saltwater throughout their lives, hitting our area during their ocean phase. Late summer through fall offers the best action as they stage near river mouths. The bright orange-red meat is top-shelf eating. Cohos prefer calmer water under debris and structure. My go-to technique is swinging bright spinners in fast water or twitching jigs with long tails in holding spots. Pro tip: use chartreuse, pink, or bright patterns - they really respond to flashy colors in our waters.
Acipenser MedirostrisThese living fossils are massive bottom-dwellers that can reach 7 feet and over 300 pounds. They're ancient fish with armor-like scutes and vacuum mouths for sucking up crabs, shrimp, and small fish. You'll find them in depths up to 200 feet, cruising near-shore waters and bays. They're catch-and-release only due to conservation concerns, but the fight is worth it - pure power on heavy tackle. Late spring through summer offers the best shots when they're more active. Use 6-9 foot rods with 80+ pound line and 5/0-9/0 hooks. Here's the key: once you feel that bite, set the hook hard and reel fast to keep them from diving deep and breaking you off on the rocks below.
Oncorhynchus MykissThese colorful fighters typically run 8-24 inches and average 2-8 pounds in our waters. You'll find them holding near gravelly shorelines and in cooler depths during summer months. They prefer water temps around 55-64°F, so spring and fall fishing can be outstanding. What makes rainbows special is their acrobatic fight - they'll jump and run when hooked. The pink flesh makes excellent eating too. They feed heavily at dusk, which is prime time for success. Here's a local trick: keep your bait just off the bottom and let it drift naturally with the current. These fish are picky about presentation, but when you get it right, they'll hit hard and give you a memorable fight every time.
5.0 out of 5.0First time ever meeting Shirley and being on his boat was chaos. BUT THE GOOD KIND! I honestly don’t remember how many chinook we ...
Oregon