Best Fish to Catch on a Columbia River Fishing Charter

Did you know that the Columbia River is the biggest river around the American West? Because of its size, it’s safe to assume that there are a ton of fishing opportunities.

Well, that is true! There are a ton of fish species you can chase when out here, and it’s best that you do so with a Columbia River fishing charter. That way, you have a guide to take you to the best places for fishing and all you need to worry about is how to fight off a large game fish!

But wait, what are the best fish to catch on a Columbia River fishing charter anyway? Learn what to expect when on a fishing charter and see what fish you can catch (and show off) when in the Columbia River.

Best Fish to Catch on a Columbia River Fishing Charter

There are so many fish to catch on a Columbia River fishing charter, but which ones are the best to focus on? Here are the most popular ones that will leave your friends impressed!

Chinook Salmon

This salmon variety would return to Columbia River in three runs during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. They are also known as springers, which is the most prized variety when we talk about the salmon. Plus, chinook are the largest in the Pacific Ocean, also called the king salmon!

While the spring Chinook run a bit smaller compared to the ones coming in summer and fall, this Chinook is the tastiest and best to eat. It’s said that the chinook is comparable to the Copper River in terms of flavor.

The spring Chinook begin returning during the late winter, though you’ll want to head to the waters from Match to June in the lower river.

If you’re eyeing to get big salmon, then you’ll want to fish for salmon during the summer. This isn’t only the most popular time for Chinook, but expect large fish! They are known as June Hogs because of their size.

As for the fall Chinook, they are also just as big as the ones you’ll find during the summer season, and it’s best to target them from August to September in the lower river.

Summer Steelhead           

Also known as ‘summers’, the Summer Steelhead would arrive during long periods of spring and summer season. They head upriver to their natural spawning grounds, as well as the artificial hatcheries located in Oregon and Washington.

Usually, beach anglers would catch summer steelhead as they stay close to fairly shallow waters of 6-12 feet in depth. However, boaters in fishing charters that anchor in steelhead travel lanes will also have a lot of opportunities.

That said, they are pretty challenging to catch, which is why it’s best to be on a charter. You will want to catch summer steelhead in the lower river area between May to June.

River Trout

While Columbia River would run too warm during the summer to catch a lot of trout, you can still find sizable rainbow trout around the river reservoirs. They are still worth looking out for and make a great gamefish for beginners.

Plus, trout is a delicious fish you’ll want to take home for dinner! When targeting trout, you’re better off going farther downriver.

River Sturgeon

River sturgeon are huge fish that some people may see as great white sharks! Columbia is home to some of the biggest sturgeon species around, which includes the great white sturgeon.

These are awesome gamefish to catch and release, and with their huge size, you’ll want to snap a photo to share with friends. Just prepare your strength. While sturgeon aren’t aggressive, they are heavy, so a strike will have you feel like you were hit by a truck!

Northern Pikeminnow

How is Northern Pikeminnows part of this list? They aren’t best known for being awesome gamefish or for eating.

However, they are the best for beginners and pretty fun to catch when you come across them. They are small, might be worth eating, and they are the best to target if you’re a complete beginner or if you’d like to teach your little ones to fish.

Plus, did you know that you can trade in Northern Pikeminnows for cash? The Bonneville Power Administration has a sport-reward program paying anglers who catch pikeminnows to help with the salmon and steelhead population. Some anglers have caught enough pikeminnows to earn a few thousand dollars every season, so why not get paid to do what you love?

If you would like to catch pikeminnows, find them below dams or in areas where they can lay outside the strong current, ready to eat any smaller fish they come across. You can use bait and lure techniques when catching them.

Before you set out to the waters, take note that Washington and Oregon issued advisories regarding the fishing limit for anglers, as well as what fish to avoid eating or catching. This is for your health and for the sake of the overall fish population in the Columbia River.

A Columbia River fishing charter will keep you up to speed in regards to the rules and regulations set by the local departments. Furthermore, they can guide you on what fish to catch and where to find them in the area.

Wrapping It Up

There’s no denying that the Columbia River offers some of the best fishing opportunities worldwide. That’s why you need to know the type of fish to expect so you can prepare your gear (and strength) to catch some of the biggest game fish. Don’t stress too much, though. Fishing charters will guide you to the best spots and even provide the appropriate fishing gear.

Hopefully, you are now well-informed on the best fish to catch on a Columbia River fishing charter. If you haven’t found the best fishing charter to work with yet, feel free to contact us and see what services we have to offer for you when fishing in the Columbia River.

Everything You Need to Know About Columbia River Sturgeon

It’s fun to fish in the Columbia River, with the vast waters and tons of different species of fish to catch. Whether you’re on land or on a fishing charter, you get to hone your fishing skills while taking home a fish or two. One of the species people look out for is the Columbia River sturgeon, which is popular in the area.

But what is the Columbia River sturgeon and what is there to know about it? Read on to learn more about this interesting species!

About the Columbia River Sturgeon

Sturgeon are natives to the rivers of central California to Alaska, which is part of North America’s west coast. You can find the highest number of sturgeon in Columbia River, with two types of them swimming around: Green and white.

Green sturgeon would inhabit saltwater estuaries and brackish backwaters, while white sturgeon are even more numerous and actually inhabited the Columbia! This is why this article will focus more on the white sturgeon.

In terms of freshwater fish, sturgeon are the largest and can grow over 10 feet long and more than 1,000 pounds.

They would also grow slowly, living very long lives. Sturgeons can live between 80-100 years, with female sturgeon not reaching their spawning maturity until they are 15 years old (or older). Even after spawning begins, they tend to span every 2-11 years after!

In Columbia, commercial fishing for this species started in the 1880s, peaking in 1892 when 5.5 million pounds of sturgeon were harvested. Unfortunately, the sturgeon population decimated in 1899 due to overfishing, with harvest staying low until the 1940s.

As sturgeon population recovered and commercial fishery began expanding, the total harvest steadily increased between the 70s and 80s. This is combined with restrictions on the sizes of fish that are legally allowed to be harvested to maintain the population.

There is much to learn about the sturgeon, more specifically the white sturgeon. Here are some interesting facts about them:

Physical Description

Sturgeon have various distinguishing characteristics, with an elongate and cylindrical body. While it doesn’t have any scales, it has 5 rows of ‘scutes’ along its body, which are bony plates and very sharp in younger fish. Similar to sharks, a sturgeon’s skeleton is made of cartilage rather than boke.

It has 11-14 plates in front of its single dorsal fin, 38-48 plates from its head down to the central caudal axis, as well as 912 from its head down to the pelvic fins. Sturgeon has white ventral surfaces while its dorsals are light gray.

As for its mouth, sturgeon have ventral, moderately-sized mouths that point downward. They have no teeth but use their vacuum-like mouth to siphon up food instead. You can recognize sturgeon through its short broad snout that has 4 barbels, which are close to its snout than their mouth.

Habitat

White sturgeon have spent their lives in various habitats, from streams to rivers, marine waters to estuaries. While they are anadromous fish, they spend most, if not all, of their lives in freshwater if they’re unable to head to the seas.

These fish historically occurred on the Pacific Coast and reproduced in three large river system, including the Columbia River. Unfortunately, the construction of dams along rivers has negatively impacted the sturgeon population due to the creation of landlocked population while destroying their spawning grounds.

Today, white sturgeon continue to be distributed in the river systems of Pacific northwest, though the populations are isolated with limited migration within lakes and pools making up the new dammed rivers.

Reproduction

White sturgeon would be born in freshwater and while they are able to head to saltwater, it’s not necessary for completing their lifecycle.

The specific reproductive windows aren’t known, but with sturgeons in general, males would reproduce for about 10-20 years, while females reproduce for 15-25 years. Their age of maturity or size varies, with spawning occurring when physical environments trigger egg development, which would cue ovulation. Females can release up to 3 million eggs, with fertilized eggs sticking to river bottoms once they make contact with it.

There are different factors to consider that trigger spawning, such as the water strength and temperature, day length, and the like.

Landlocked sturgeons are known to have spawned during times where river flow is at its peak, having white water velocities dispersing to prevent eggs from clumping. These fish are broadcast spawners as they release eggs and sperm when in fast water.

Behavior

Adult sturgeon would spend most of their times near the seashore, though they can also be found up to 30 meters underwater. They move in large rivers during the early spring, spawning by May to June. Sturgeon would also ascend far inland for spawning.

As for landlocked sturgeon, they would also migrate. During springtime, sturgeon move up from rivers and stay congregated in certain areas throughout the summer season. They are sedentary during the summer season and would inhabit the river’s deepest holes.

Food Habits

White sturgeon are opportunistic feeders and would feed on the bottom using their long snouts while detecting food with their barbels.

When they are small and younger, they would feed on clams, crayfish, fish eggs, mussels, and worms. As they grow bigger, they start preying on fish like anchovies, lamprey, salmon, shad, and smelt.

Wrapping It Up

The Columbia River sturgeon is quite an interesting species and worth trying to catch at least once in your lifetime! With its unique appearance and history, it may make you want to learn even more about the other species that live in Columbia River.

I hope that this article helped you learn more about the Columbia River sturgeon! If you are interested in catching this fish species soon, then contact us for our fishing charter rates. We have the professional crew to help direct you to areas where you can find Columbia River sturgeon to catch.

How to Choose the Best Oregon Deep-Sea Fishing Charter

The best Depoe Bay Deep sea fishing charter will offer you the time of your life, giving you and your loved ones the chance to get away from work and be at peace with the waters. Whether you’re with family, friends, or going alone, you’ll get to learn a lot while appreciating the amazing views of Oregon!

And when in Oregon, you can expect to find a ton of deep sea fishing charters to choose from, which is a blessing and a curse. With so many of them available, which one is the best for you? Read on as I show you how to choose the best Oregon deep sea fishing charter!

Choosing the Best Oregon Deep Sea Fishing Charter

Deep sea fishing charters are trips on private vessels, run by experienced captains and fishing guides with additions crew members. These fishing charters are great for introducing people to fishing, or to take experienced anglers to certain fisheries if they are targeting specific species.

Charters are tailored to suit just about any fishing skill level, may you be a novice or experienced angler. Regardless of what your skill level is, the goal is to learn how to cast fishing lines, catch fish, and of course, enjoy the waters.

The prices of deep sea fishing charters depend on how long the trip is, where to go, and how many people will be on board. You can check out rates to know how much you can expect to shell out. With deep sea fishing, you are heading out to a much farther area than usual!

Now that you’re familiar with what fishing charters are, how can you select the best Oregon deep sea fishing charter? Here are important factors to consider:

Who’s Going to the Best Depoe Bay Fishing Charter?

Consider the size of your group. Remember, you’re not fishing from a ship, with these private vessels having limited room! While deep sea fishing charters would have larger boats and accommodate more people, the number is still limited. Furthermore, the more people in the group, the more expensive it may be. However, you can save by dividing the costs of the fishing charter.

The number of people going will also affect the size of boat you will use, which is why the prices increase. You might also want to consider a shared charter instead of a private one, which is suitable for those who are less than 4 people in a group. You get to save a bit more with shared charters while making new friends.

What Experiences Do You Want?

What are you fishing for? Do you have a particular fish species you’d like to catch?

In Oregon, there are a variety of fish species you can catch, from small ones for beginners up to huge ones for experienced anglers, especially in the deep sea! Ask the captain if they are able to take you to places where your wanted fish species are and if there are any extra charges for such trips.

Other than the fish you want to catch, think of the experiences you’d like. Are you traveling with family and want your children to learn fishing while enjoying the waters? Are you a beginner yourself and want to learn the ropes? Or do you want to go all out as an experienced angler, in hopes to catch the big one.

Charter services would come with a variety of options! For instance, there are deep sea fishing charters that offer trolling options, which are best for beginners and families with children. But if you’re going to the deep sea, it’s best to head for high speed trolling and experience an expedition like never before!

When are You Going?

Once you know how many people are going, another important factor is the date of your trip. There are various factors to consider when planning the date, such as Oregon’s fishing season, the specific species you’d like to catch, the weather conditions, and more.

The price may also be affected by these factors, with prices increasing during peak season. If you want to save up, it’s best to reserve a fishing charter ahead rather than a few days before.

How Long Will You Be Out?

Deep sea fishing charters offer various trip lengths, from partial 2-hour trips up to overnight.

If you would like to have a fishing trip lasting for only 2-4 hours, you can opt for the partial or half-day trip. However, when it comes to deep sea fishing charters, it is recommended to go for full day or overnight trips, as it would take at least 8-10 hours to get the real fishing and deep sea experience.

Take note that, because you will be taking the longer trip, the more expensive it would be, as you are paying for the boat, fuel, crew, and the like. That said, you get your money’s worth as you’re taken cared for the entire time!

How Much Is It?

If you want to get your money’s worth, know what you’re paying for and ask what the deep sea fishing charter comes with.

There are some fishing charters that include food and drinks, as well as their own fishing gear to get you started. Check if their inclusions (and the trip itself) are worth the price and ask for a breakdown, so you know what you’re paying for.

Also look into their refund policy, in case you and your party can’t attend because of unexpected circumstances.

Best Depoe Bay Fishing Charter: Wrapping It Up

Finally, make sure that you research the company and look into their customer reviews, their websites, even their fishing licenses and everything else about them and their reputation. This ensures that you’re getting the most suitable captain, boat, and crew for you.

Hope this list helped you out! If you’d like to schedule a deep sea fishing charter for your next trip, consider our services and contact us for our packages today!

How to Go Depoe Bay Coho Salmon Fishing

Coho salmon, also known as the silver salmon, would weigh between 4-12 pounds, though you may catch even heavier ones! They are known for their silver sides, white belly, and dark-spotted back, making them attractive to look at. These are very popular when it comes to Depoe Bay Coho salmon fishing, caught using a variety of techniques and sometimes taken home to cook!

For those going Depoe Bay Coho salmon fishing, then you’re in for a treat! However, there is a lot to learn when it comes to targeting this certain fish species. Read on to learn all about Coho salmon fishing in the beautiful Depoe Bay!

About Depoe Bay Coho Salmon Fishing

The Coho salmon looks similar to the Chinook salmon, though it has a white gum line on its lower jaw. The Coho salmon would also have darker colors in and out of its gum lines, having spots on its tail’s upper lobe.

But once Coho salmon heads to freshwater, they turn red on their sides, while their backs, heads, and find turn dark green. These fish can reach over 25 pounds, but usually, they won’t exceed over 15 pounds.

Now that you’re familiar with what the Coho salmon is, the next question is: How are you going to fish for them in Depoe Bay?

Here are the things you should know about Depoe Bay Coho salmon fishing:

When Do They Come to the Depoe Bay?

Coho salmon adults would return to Oregon during the fall season, after their 3^rd year. Female Coho salmon would dig a few reefs, depositing between 3,000 to 4,000 eggs.

Once the eggs hatch, these young fish will gather in schools, heading to shallower areas nearing stream banks. When they get older, they will disperse, becoming aggressive, not just with other fish, but towards each other!

Coho salmon would rear for around 18 months in freshwater, then another 18 months in oceans.

Coho Salmon Habitat

You will find Coho salmon in small and relatively low-gradient tributary streams for spawning. They would head to areas with pea or orange-sized to spawn and for rearing young fish. Coho salmon also like to stay in a complex and in-stream structure such as tree-lined banks or woody debris.

Depoe Bay Coho Salmon Fishing Technique

Drift fishing is one of the most common techniques to use when in freshwater like Depoe Bay. Make sure your bait bounces off the bottom and moves at the current’s speed.

Another technique to use is plunking. This is when you cast a spoon or spinner but rather than it drifting with the current, it would anchor in a spot where Coho salmon would most likely meet with it.

You may also want to try float fishing when in smaller tributaries or even fly fishing, which is known to be very effective.

If you will be fly fishing, I recommend that you use a 7-8 fishing rod, or something lighter if you don’t like the chum. Focus on a high-quality fishing reel that features a smooth drag. If possible, use a full sink clear fishing line, or sinking tip lines. If you don’t have these on hand, you may also use a full floating line, which is pretty useful, depending on the conditions.

As for the flies to work with, the following are pretty effective:

• California Neal,
• g sucking leech
• Different-colored Christmas trees
• Different types of rolled minnow

Coho Salmon are Protected

Did you know that the lower Depoe Bay Coho salmon is actually a threatened species? There are organizations, including the NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region and the Science Centers, that work to conserve and protect the Coho salmon, thanks to the Endangered Species Act.

In 1986, the Coho salmon has declared an extinct species in Idaho, though, through efforts of tribes, the species was reintroduced. Today, they return in numbers supporting a fishery in various rivers and streams in the Oregon state, including Depoe Bay.

This is why there are limitations and restrictions put in place to ensure that they don’t go extinct in the area. There are also various recovery programs and partnerships in place.

Currently, the ODFW announced Coho salmon fishing season dates and quotas this June 2021. The season opened on June 12, with the quota being 120,000 fin-clipped fish, or with the season-ending on August 28.

Try Depoe Bay Coho Salmon Fishing Charters

Now that you’re more familiar with Coho salmon and how you can fish them in Depoe Bay, the next question is: How will you navigate the waters?

While it may seem fun to maneuver the boat on your own or with loved ones, this may not be the most feasible option for first-timers in the area or those who are complete beginners to fishing. That’s where a fishing charter comes along.

With fishing charters like us here at Pastime Fishing Adventures, you won’t have to worry about navigation and safety in the waters, as our professional guides and crew will be able to care for everyone on board. Furthermore, they provide quality fishing equipment, knowledge, and additional facilities for the entire group to enjoy their time in Depoe Bay.

That way, you can focus more on fishing for Coho salmon and having fun. You can check out what more we have to offer as a fishing charter here, from our rates down to our experiences and what we offer.

Wrapping It Up

The Depoe Bay is an amazing area with a lot of fishing opportunities, including Coho salmon. There are various techniques you can use to catch these types of fish and with the right strategy, you can catch a few to brag about after the trip!

Are you planning to go to Depoe Bay Coho salmon fishing? Then you may want to consider hiring a reputable fishing charter to navigate the waters and help you get the catch you’ve been dreaming of! Contact us now at Pastime Fishing Adventures for a quotation based on your specific needs.

Depoe Bay Dungeness Crab Fishing: Your Ultimate Guide!

Oregon is known as one of the best states to head to when it comes to crabbing. With their abundance of juicy Dungeness crabs around, you can see why some many locals and travelers head to different areas of the state to bring home a crab or two.

One particular area people travel to is Depoe Bay, which is popular for its Dungeness crab fishing opportunities. There are even fishing charters and guides that can help you go crabbing if you’re totally new to the activity.

That said, how can you go crab fishing when in Depoe Bay? Read on to learn more about Depoe Bay Dungeness Crab Fishing!

Depoe Bay Dungeness Crab Fishing

Depoe Bay is known as the world’s smallest bay, attracting thousands of visitors yearly. It’s an ideal area to visit because it’s merely minutes away from productive fishing opportunities for various fish species. While you may find more Rock crabs, Dungeness crabs are also around, ready to be caught. 

Make sure that you are fully acquainted with the rules and limitations when crabbing in Depoe Bay. There is a 24-crab limit for rock crabs regardless of the crab’s sex or size. As for Dungeness crab, the daily limit is 12 male crabs that are over 5 ¾ inches across their backs.

The Best Time to Go Crab Fishing

Fortunately, crab season is all year long when in Depoe Bay, though it’s best to go crab fishing in September when crabs are more ‘filled out’ with a higher percentage of high-quality meat.

Crabbing and fishing from port docks are allowed from 1.5 hours before sunrise up to 1.5 hours after sunset. All crabbing equipment will need to be out of the docks outside these hours.

While you can go crabbing any time of the day, certain times are better than others. It is best to go crab fishing during the ‘slack tide’, which are times of either peak high or low tide.

When swift tidal exchanges occur, crabs would bury themselves. But during slack tide, crabs are usually foraging around, as they will be less affected by the tidal currents.

One of the favorite times to harvest crab is usually the 1-hour time slot on every side of high tides. During these times, the tides are moving very slow, so the crabs are allowed to walk around and forage without having to fight currents. That said, you can still trap crab at any time.

Different Gear Available

What gear can you use when it comes to Depoe Bay Dungeness crab fishing? You will need the following:

• Your shellfish license
• Pots or rings (make sure that you check all of your pots and rings for any kinks and knots before using them)
• Crab measuring device
• A cooler to keep the crabs
• Gloves for protection
• Sunscreen
• Extra clothes and closed-toe shoes

You can either bring your own equipment or rent among any of these three crab traps:

Danielson Crab Traps

Danielson Crab Traps is known as the soaker type of trap. This means you’ll have to pull your trap only after it’s soaked for over an hour. This trap works by luring the crab with a bait bag into the cage through the openings, so when it enters, it can’t escape.

You can use these to catch Dungeness crabs from sandy bay bottoms that have ell grass. They are also found in rocky and sandy bottoms.

Crab Ring Traps

This trap is pretty straightforward. You just need to bait crabs into this ring trap, then pull it up when you feel crabs inside it.

The simplest type of crab ring trap is the two-ring crab net. You just need to pull this trap up as quickly as you can once the outer ring forms a wall. That way, the crab won’t escape.

Depending on the day’s crab activity, you’ll need to ring up this trap every 5-10 minutes.

Crab Trappers

Crab trappers have two metal netted sides that are 24 inches long. When it lays flat, it would have a slightly circular shape. This is the only crap trap you can use to catch crabs from a beach, shore, dock, pier, or boat.

Baits

Besides the different traps to use, you will also need bait! Fresh or slightly rotten meat works well, as crabs have strong senses of smell. You can use the following:

• Chicken
• Fish carcass
• Clams
• Shad
• Turkey
• And a lot more!

Pungent food piques their interests, so secure these baits in a bait holder. Make sure to secure your bait well in your line or trap, then you’re ready to throw the trap in and wait!

Hiring a Fishing Guide

If you are interested in crab fishing, you might want to consider hiring a fishing charter! They will be able to provide everything you need so you can focus on catching crab, from the professional crew to the boat and equipment.

Fishing charters are equipped with the crabbing gear you need to get started. And if you’re a first-timer, guides will be there to teach you how to use the gear, as well as the crabbing techniques to use to get as many Dungeness crabs as possible.

Wrapping It Up        

There are so many areas to go crabbing in when in Oregon, with Depoe Bay being one of them. With the right techniques and crabbing strategies, you’ll be able to catch a few of these tasty crabs to bring home and eat. Just make sure that you stock up on a lot of butter and ready your favorite recipes.

Hopefully, you learned a ton about Depoe Bay Dungeness crab fishing! If you plan to go crabbing around Oregon, you may want to consider getting a fishing charter to handle the trip and gear for you. Contact us to learn more about our packages and rates now!