3 Day Advanced Salmon Fishing in Port Renfrew
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Threeday offshore salmon fishing with expert Captain TomAdvanced techniques targeting trophy Chinook, Coho, and halibutComplete package includes lodging, meals, and fish processing
This isn't your weekend warrior fishing trip. Captain Tom's 3-day advanced salmon charter in Port Renfrew is designed for serious anglers who want to push their limits and target trophy fish in some of BC's most productive offshore waters. With 8 hours daily on the water, you'll be working the best fishing grounds around Port Renfrew, known for consistently producing monster Chinook, aggressive Coho, and bonus halibut that'll test your drag system. This top-rated charter focuses on advanced techniques and high-yield spots that most casual anglers never see. After battling fish all day, you'll crash at comfortable lodging with gourmet meals prepared by Chef Ian, so you can focus entirely on what matters - putting fish in the boat.
Captain Tom doesn't mess around when it comes to finding fish. He's been working these waters for years and knows exactly where the salmon are staging throughout the season. You'll be running to offshore banks, underwater ledges, and tide rips that hold the biggest concentrations of feeding salmon. This isn't a sightseeing cruise - expect to be actively fishing from the moment you clear the harbor until you head back in. The boat is rigged with top-shelf electronics including fish finders and GPS chartplotters that'll show you exactly what's happening below the surface. Weather permitting, you'll be targeting depths from 60 to 200 feet, working structure that consistently produces trophy-class fish. The pace is intense, but that's exactly what experienced anglers are looking for. With only 2 guests maximum, you'll get personalized instruction and plenty of rod time without fighting crowds.
This charter runs serious tackle designed for big fish. You'll be using downriggers with wire line, running flashers and spoons at precise depths where salmon are actively feeding. Captain Tom will teach you advanced trolling patterns, how to read the electronics, and most importantly, how to adjust your presentation based on what the fish are telling you. The boat carries a full spread of proven lures including Ace Hi flies, Coho killers, and large spoons that drive Chinook crazy. You'll learn proper rod handling techniques for fighting fish in current, how to work a fish to the boat without losing it, and the best practices for landing trophy salmon. All tackle, bait, and terminal gear is included, but feel free to bring your own favorite rods if you prefer. The captain provides all licenses and handles fish processing, so you can concentrate on perfishing your technique and putting more fish in the cooler.
Chinook salmon are the main target and the reason most serious anglers make the trip to Port Renfrew. These kings average 15-25 pounds but regularly hit 30+ pounds, with the occasional monster pushing 40 pounds or more. Peak season runs from May through September, with the biggest fish typically showing up in July and August. Chinook fight like freight trains, making long runs and using their weight to test your equipment. They're structure-oriented fish that hang around underwater ledges and drop-offs, feeding on herring, anchovies, and needlefish. What makes them so exciting is their unpredictability - a big king might hit soft and feel like bottom structure, or it might slam your gear and peel 100 yards of line before you know what happened.
Coho salmon provide non-stop action and spectacular aerial displays that'll get your heart pumping. These silver rockets typically range from 6-12 pounds but make up for their size with pure athleticism. Coho are aggressive feeders that hit lures hard and immediately launch into a series of jumps and runs that'll test your reflexes. They school up in massive numbers during peak season from July through September, often creating feeding frenzies that result in multiple hookups. Unlike Chinook that tend to sound deep, Coho fight in the upper water column with spectacular jumps that make for great photos and even better memories.
Sockeye salmon might be the wildcard species, but when they're around, they provide some of the most consistent action you'll find anywhere. These fish travel in tight schools and when you find them, you can often catch limits quickly. Sockeye average 4-8 pounds and are prized for their incredible table fare - many consider them the best-tasting salmon species. They're typically caught as bonus fish while targeting Chinook and Coho, but during peak runs in late summer, they can become the primary target. Sockeye fight with surprising strength for their size and are notorious for making last-second runs right at the boat when you think you have them beat.
Captain Tom's advanced salmon charters fill up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is at its absolute best. This world-class fishing experience combines expert guiding, top-notch accommodations, and access to some of the most productive salmon waters on the West Coast. With transport, licenses, fish processing, and comfortable lodging all included, you can focus entirely on what you came for - catching trophy salmon and improving your technique. The 3-day format gives you enough time to really dial in the bite and adapt to changing conditions, something that's impossible on shorter trips. Whether you're looking to land a personal best Chinook, experience the aerial acrobatics of Coho, or fill the cooler with premium Sockeye, this charter delivers the goods. Don't wait until the season is half over - book your dates now and get ready for some of the best salmon fishing you'll ever experience.
Step aboard our fully equipped offshore fishing machine, built to handle Port Renfrew's challenging waters and deliver you to the salmon grounds in comfort. This reliable motorboat features a powerful outboard engine that cuts through swells with ease, plus modern electronics to locate fish and navigate safely. The spacious deck gives you plenty of room to fight trophy Chinook and Coho, while built-in rod holders and fish boxes keep your gear organized during those long 8-hour fishing days. Safety equipment and modern navigation ensure you can focus on what matters – landing big fish in some of BC's most productive waters.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKings are the heavyweights out here, running 15-30 pounds with some pushing 40+. These silver-sided bruisers with black-spotted backs love deep water, so we'll be fishing 60-150 feet most days. They feed near bottom on herring and anchovies, which makes them light-sensitive - early morning and evening bites are prime time. What makes targeting Chinooks special is the combination of their bulldogging fight and that rich, orange meat that's hard to beat on the table. The key trick I share with guests is watching your downrigger - when you see it "bounce" slightly before the rod loads up, that's often a big King mouthing your bait. Give it a second before setting the hook hard.
Oncorhynchus KisutchSilvers are the acrobats of the salmon world, typically running 8-12 pounds but known for jumping clean out of the water when hooked. They cruise shallower than Kings, usually 20-80 feet down, and we often find them around baitfish schools in open water. Mid-summer through early fall gives us the best action when they're feeding aggressively before their spawning run. What guests love about Coho is their aerial show - these fish will leap repeatedly and make screaming runs that test your drag. Their bright orange meat is fantastic eating too. My go-to tip for Coho is to keep your rod tip up during the fight and let them run when they want to jump - trying to muscle them down just leads to pulled hooks.
Oncorhynchus NerkaSockeye are the smaller, scrappier cousins averaging 6-10 pounds, but don't let size fool you - they're tough fighters with deep red meat that's prized by chefs. These blue-green beauties without the typical black spots prefer cooler water and often school up tight. We target them from late spring through summer when they're staging before their river runs. What makes Sockeye special is that incredible flavor - oilier and richer than other salmon, perfect for grilling. They're also selective feeders, making them a technical challenge that advanced anglers appreciate. The trick with Sockeye is downsizing your gear and using smaller lures or bait - they have smaller mouths and can be finicky about presentation.
Port Renfrew