Winchester Bay Private Rock Fishing & Crab Adventure
Shared Trip
Offshore Fishing
Private 5-hour charter targets rockfish and Dungeness crabAccommodates groups up to six with expert guide assistanceCombines offshore fishing with crabbing in Winchester Bay waters
Looking for a fishing trip that delivers both hot rod action and a cooler full of crab? Winchester Bay's got you covered with this top-rated combo charter that puts you on the rockfish while your crab pots soak. SOA Charters runs these private 5-hour trips for up to six anglers, giving you the whole boat to yourselves and the freedom to fish at your own pace. You'll be working the rocky structure where lingcod and rockfish hang out, then hauling up crab pots loaded with fresh Dungeness. Whether you're bringing the family or a crew of serious anglers, this trip hits all the right notes for a day on the Oregon coast.
Your day starts early at Winchester Bay's marina, where Captain and crew will have the boat prepped and ready to roll. First order of business is getting those crab pots in the water – we'll bait them up with fish carcasses and drop them on productive crab grounds while you get rigged up for rockfish. The rocky structure off Winchester Bay holds some of the best fishing on the Oregon coast, with underwater pinnacles and ledges that rockfish love to call home. You'll be fishing in 80 to 150 feet of water, working jigs and bait rigs along the bottom where the fish stack up. The boat stays positioned over prime structure using GPS and fish finder, so you're always fishing the sweet spots. After a few hours of steady rod bending action, it's time to check those crab pots – and that's when things get really fun as you haul up trap after trap of keeper Dungeness.
SOA Charters provides all the tackle you'll need for this combo trip, including heavy-action rods spooled with 40-pound test to handle big lingcod and the rocky bottom. For rockfish, you'll be dropping lead-head jigs tipped with plastic grubs or chunks of herring, working them right along the structure where fish hold. The key is getting your bait down fast and keeping it in the strike zone – rockfish don't mess around when they see an easy meal. Crab pots are pre-rigged with fresh bait and deployed on sandy bottom adjacent to the rocky fishing areas. The crew handles all the pot pulling with a hydraulic puller, measuring each crab to make sure it's a legal keeper. You'll learn to tell male from female Dungeness and how to measure them properly – only male crabs over 5¾ inches across the shell make it into the tank. The boat carries a full complement of safety gear, fish boxes with ice, and a live tank to keep your crab fresh for the trip home.
Winchester Bay's rockfish bite has been on fire this year, with limits of mixed rockfish coming over the rail on most trips. Black rockfish have been the bread and butter, schooling up over the reefs in good numbers and hitting jigs aggressively. These scrappy fighters average 2-4 pounds and make excellent table fare with their firm white meat. Lingcod fishing has been particularly hot during the summer months, with fish in the 10-20 pound range fairly common and the occasional 30-pounder keeping things interesting. Blue rockfish have been showing up in decent numbers too, along with the occasional yelloweye or canary rockfish for variety. The crab fishing has been world-class, with many pots producing 6-8 keeper males per pull. The Dungeness have been running good size this season, with plenty of 2-3 pounders filling up the live tank. Some trips have produced enough crab that everyone goes home with a full limit of 12 males per person, which means fresh crab feeds for weeks.
Black rockfish are the workhorses of Winchester Bay fishing, and for good reason – they're abundant, aggressive, and absolutely delicious on the dinner table. These dark-colored rockfish love the kelp-covered rocky areas and will readily hit jigs worked near the bottom. They typically run 2-6 pounds, with the occasional bruiser pushing 8 pounds or better. Black rockfish are available year-round but fishing peaks during summer and early fall when they school up over the reefs. What makes them so popular with anglers is their willingness to bite and their excellent eating quality – the meat is firm, white, and mild-flavored, perfect for fish tacos or beer batter.
Lingcod are the apex predator of the rocky reefs, and hooking into one is guaranteed to get your adrenaline pumping. These prehistoric-looking fish can exceed 40 pounds and will absolutely smoke your drag when hooked. Winchester Bay's rocky structure is perfect lingcod habitat, and the population here is healthy and productive. Peak season runs from July through September when the big females move shallow after spawning. Lingcod are ambush predators that will inhale a jig or bait fished near the bottom, then head straight for the rocks. The fight is typically short but violent, with powerful runs and head-shaking that tests your tackle. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in the ocean – lingcod meat is snow white, flaky, and absolutely delicious grilled or baked.
Dungeness crab are the crown jewel of Winchester Bay's seafood bounty, and pulling up pots full of these tasty crustaceans never gets old. Male Dungeness can reach 3-4 pounds, with sweet, tender meat that's prized by seafood lovers worldwide. The best crabbing typically runs from December through August, with peak numbers during winter and spring months. What makes Dungeness crab so special is the quality of the meat – it's sweet, delicate, and incredibly versatile in the kitchen. These crabs are also fun to catch, as there's always anticipation when pulling each pot to see what's inside. Winchester Bay's sandy bottom provides
Ready to chase rockfish and pull crab pots? This 2020 Hewescraft is your ticket to productive waters around Winchester Bay. At 28 feet with twin 150hp Yamahas, she'll get you to the fishing grounds fast and comfortable. The boat's outriggers give you serious fishing leverage while the fish finder helps locate where the rockfish are hiding. Between checking crab pots, you'll have the icebox keeping your catch fresh and drinks cold. GPS and radar keep you on course, while the VHF radio connects you to other boats and harbor patrol. After hours of hauling lines and pulling traps, you'll appreciate having an onboard toilet. Built for up to 6 anglers, this Hewescraft handles Winchester Bay's coastal waters with ease. Come hungry for action and leave with coolers full of fresh rockfish and Dungeness crab.
Oregon