Top-Rated Trolling Charter: Coos Bay Salmon Fishing

Published Date: August 24, 2025
Fishing

Coos Bay
$225 price range
Updated Date: October 2, 2025

Summary

Ready for a full day of salmon fishing in Coos Bay? This 8-hour guided trip takes you to the prime spots where King and Coho salmon run from August through mid-October. You'll troll the rich waters of Coos Bay, the Umpqua River, and soon the Coquille River too. No need to worry about gear - all tackle and equipment are provided, plus they'll handle the fish processing for you. Whether you're new to salmon fishing or a seasoned pro, the experienced guide will get you set up and teach you the ropes. They know these waters inside and out, maximizing your chances of hooking into some trophy-sized salmon. Just remember to grab your fishing license before you go. It's a hands-on day on the water, focused on putting you on the fish. By the time you're done, you'll have gotten the full Coos Bay salmon trolling experience.

Top-Rated Trolling Charter: Coos Bay Salmon Fishing

Salmon Strikes

Nice Chinook salmon from Coos Bay! Clearing afternoon made for perfect fishing conditions.

Reel in Trophy Salmon on Coos Bay

Get ready to experience some of Oregon's best salmon fishing right here in Coos Bay. Our 8-hour guided trolling trip puts you on the hottest spots for King and Coho salmon from August through mid-October. We'll hit the productive waters of Coos Bay, cruise up the Umpqua River, and soon be adding the Coquille to our stomping grounds. Whether you're a seasoned angler or it's your first time wetting a line, our experienced guides will make sure you have the know-how and the gear to land that trophy catch.

What to Expect on the Water

From the moment you step on board, you're in for a day of hands-on fishing action. We provide all the tackle and gear you need, so you can focus on the thrill of the catch. Our guides know these waters like the back of their hand and will put you right where the salmon are biting. As we troll through Coos Bay and up the rivers, you'll learn the ins and outs of salmon behavior and the best techniques to entice a strike. And when you do hook into a big one, get ready for an adrenaline-pumping fight. Don't worry about what to do with your catch afterward – we'll take care of processing your fish so you can savor your success later.

Trolling Tips & Tactics

Trolling is the name of the game on this charter, and it's a technique that's deadly effective for salmon. We'll be using downriggers to get our lures down to where the fish are holding. You'll learn how to read the fish finder, adjust your depth, and fine-tune your presentation. We typically use a combination of herring, anchovy, and flashers to attract salmon. The key is to mimic the natural movement of baitfish, and our guides will show you how to achieve that perfect wobble. We'll also cover how to detect strikes and set the hook when a salmon takes the bait. It's a learning experience that'll up your fishing game, whether you're a newbie or a pro.

Top Catches This Season

While every day on the water is different, we've been seeing some impressive catches lately. Just last week, one of our clients landed a 32-pound Chinook that put up a fight for nearly 30 minutes. Another group limited out on Coho in just a few hours, with most fish in the 8-12 pound range. These are the kinds of stories you'll be telling after your trip with us. Remember, a fishing license is required and not included, so make sure to grab one before your trip. It's a small price to pay for the chance at landing the fish of a lifetime.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Chinook Salmon, also known as King Salmon, are the heavyweight champions of the Pacific Northwest. These bruisers can tip the scales at over 50 pounds, though a more typical catch ranges from 10 to 30 pounds. They're known for their rich, flavorful meat and their powerful fights. In Coos Bay, we start seeing them show up in August, with the run peaking in September. These fish are looking to bulk up before heading upriver to spawn, so they're aggressive and ready to strike.

Coho Salmon, or Silver Salmon, are the speedsters of the salmon world. They're smaller than Chinook, usually weighing in between 6 to 12 pounds, but what they lack in size they make up for in acrobatics. When hooked, Coho are known for their spectacular aerial displays, leaping clear out of the water multiple times. They typically start showing up in good numbers by mid-August and stick around through October. Coho are prized for their delicate flavor and are a blast to catch on lighter tackle.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

There's something special about fishing Coos Bay that keeps folks coming back year after year. Maybe it's the way the morning fog lifts off the water as we head out, revealing the stunning coastal scenery. Or it could be the camaraderie that develops over a day of shared excitement and anticipation. For many, it's the unbeatable taste of fresh-caught salmon grilled up after a successful day on the water. Whatever your reason, once you experience the thrill of hooking into a big Chinook or the acrobatics of a feisty Coho, you'll be itching to come back for more.

Time to Book Your Spot

Don't miss your chance to get in on some of the best salmon fishing Oregon has to offer. Our 8-hour trolling trips are perfect for anglers of all skill levels, and with all gear provided, you just need to show up ready for action. Remember, the salmon season is limited, running from August through mid-October, so spots fill up fast. Whether you're looking to fill your freezer with delicious salmon or just want to experience the thrill of the catch, our Coos Bay trolling charters deliver. Book your trip today and get ready to make some fishing memories that'll last a lifetime. The salmon are waiting – are you ready to reel 'em in?

Learn more about the species

Chinook Salmon

# Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) Chinook salmon is also known as King Salmon and is the largest of the Salmon species. It is a popular game and commercial fish. Oncorhynchus tshawytscha is similar to its brethren Coho salmon and Rainbow trout. King Salmon has silver sides and blue-green back. It has black spots on the head, back, tail, and all the fins. It also has a black mouth and gums. Wild salmon are well known for their hard fighting ability and excellent table fare. ## Chinook Salmon Size and Weight Chinook salmon is a large fish and it can grow from 12 to 39 inches and weighs around 7 to 15 pounds. But depending on the habitat, weight can exceed 20 - 30 pounds. ## Chinook Salmon Interesting Facts • They can live up to 7 years. • This specie is anadromous. They migrate to Seawater and later return to spawn in freshwater. • Oncorhynchus tshawytscha die soon after spawning. • King salmon have reddish-pink or orange meat. • Males are more colored than females and have a distinguished nose and upper jaw. • Chinook salmon leaves a water body if the habitat starts degrading, making it a good indicator of the water conditions. ## Chinook Salmon Habitat Young Chinook salmon can be found in freshwater and estuaries. Adults move into the open Ocean for better nutrition and food. The fish can also be found in cold streams, especially in hiding places such as tree roots. Snow melting into lakes and streams also helps their environment. ## Chinook Salmon Spawning Chinook salmon are ready to spawn from 2 to 7 years of age. Female makes redds or gravely nests and lays the eggs. Depending on spawning time and temperature, hatching takes place in early spring or late winter. ## Chinook Salmon Food Young Chinook salmons feed on plankton, insects, small fish, and invertebrates. Adult Salmon in Ocean also enjoy many organisms such as sand lance, pilchards, squids, herrings, and crustaceans. ## Chinook Salmon Fishing Chinook salmon is sensitive to light so they stay at water bottom mostly. So, anglers should use weighted baits. The best time for fishing them is early morning or in the evening. Ship Creek in Anchorage, Alaska, and Lake Oahe in South Dakota are among the top spots to fish them. • Fly fishing King salmon is very exciting, but keep in mind to not swing too far and keep the fly swimming in water. • When Salmon fishing in lakes, down-rigging and trolling works best. • Anglers can also still fish in deep water using a herring. • Trolling is also an effective method using plugs, spoons, live or dead bait. ## Chinook Salmon Baits and Lures Fly Fishing: when selecting flies for king salmon, most of the time exact fly pattern is not overly important. However, depending on a bunch of variables (light, water levels, location, etc.) fly color can make a big difference. Some examples include rhea tube intruders, bunny leeches, marabou tubes, shanked intruders, minnows. On a bright day lean towards bright color combos like chartreuse/blue or pink/orange, and for cloudy/dark days blue/black and purple/black color combos. Other Fishing: Use of plugs, spoons, trolling flies, live or dead bait, sand shrimps ## Chinook Salmon Distribution Chinook can be found in the colder water of the Pacific Ocean from the coast of Alaska, Western Canada, Oregon, Idaho, Washington State, and Northern California. It has been introduced in Great Lakes of United States and can also be found in Japan and Russia.

Coho Salmon

# Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus Kisutch) Coho salmon is a famous sport and commercial fish. It is very acrobatic in nature and is a good fighter. It is also known as silver salmon. The fish is similar to Chinook salmon (but not as large), Rainbow trout and Brook trout. Wild Salmon is well-known for its tremendous taste. Coho Salmon has dark blue-green back, silversides, and white belly. Black spots are present on the back and upper sides of the tail. Mature Coho Salmon has maroon to reddish sides and dark backs. ## Coho Salmon Size and Weight Coho Salmon can be 12 to 30 inches long and weighs about 8 to 12 pounds. Silver Coho caught from the Great Lakes, weighed 33 pounds 4 ounces and so, holds the world record. ## Coho Salmon Interesting Facts • The fish, Oncorhynchus Kisutch, is anadromous in nature. • They die soon after spawning. • Silver Salmon has a bright orange/red meat. • Males have extended upper and lower jaw developing a hook (kype), making it impossible for them to close their mouths. • Coho salmon is said to live up to 5 years. • This fish can jump vertically up to 6 feet. ## Coho Salmon Habitat They tend to live in calm and quiet areas under debris and can be found in large rivers connected to the ocean. During the early stage, the juvenile Coho salmon spends its time in freshwater. After growing a bit, the fish moves to live in estuaries or brackish water (mix of fresh and saltwater) and later migrates into the ocean. ## Coho Salmon Spawning A female Oncorhynchus Kisutch is ready to spawn at age of 3. Gravel nests are made by the female and fertilized eggs are laid. Eggs hatch in 6 to 7 weeks. Depending on the temperature of the water, eggs hatch in late winter or early spring. ## Coho Salmon Food Coho Salmon can eat aquatic insects, smaller fishes, squid, herrings, pilchards, crustaceans, and sand lance. ## Salmonidae Family Coho salmon share the Salmonidae species order with trout. Other popular salmon include the Sockeye salmon (red salmon), Chinook salmon (King salmon), Atlantic salmon, Pink salmon & Chum salmon. ## Coho Salmon Fishing Salmon is a desired game fish well known for their fight. What makes the coho and all salmon unique is their migration from the river to ocean and back to the river. The Pacific Ocean salmon can be found in Alaska, Canada, Washington, Oregon and in Northern California. Katmai National Park, Alaska is famous for Coho salmon fishing. • In fast waters, swinging spinners is a popular decision. • For holding water, twitching jigs are recommended. Buy a jig with long tail for better movement in the water. • You can also use float fish roe for Coho Salmon fishing in both traveling and holding water. For this, fasten a cut roe with hook and swing it into the water. • Coho Salmon is a renowned game fish and anglers enjoy its fly fishing. As the Silver Salmon are fighters, to fly fish for them you can use a single hand rod with a strong handle for better lifting power. ## Coho Salmon Baits and Lures Fly fishing flies include leaches, various minnow patterns, or wooly buggers are good starts. Bright patterns such as chartreuse, pink and Fuchsia. Spin casting lures include plugs, spoons, trolling flies, live bait like minnows and roe. ## Coho Salmon Distribution Coho Salmon can be found in North Pacific Ocean. The fish also ranges from Alaska streams and rivers to Central California and from Southeast Alaska water bodies to Central Oregon. It is also reported in Baja California, Mexico.

About the Reel Xtreme Outdoors

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4

Manufacturer Name: Yamaha

Maximum Cruising Speed: 30

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 225

Ready for a salmon adventure in Coos Bay? Join us for an 8-hour trolling trip targeting King and Coho salmon from August to mid-October. We'll explore the rich waters of Coos Bay, the Umpqua River, and soon the Coquille River. Don't worry about gear - we've got you covered with all the tackle and equipment you'll need. Our experienced guide will show you the ropes, whether you're new to fishing or a seasoned pro. We'll work together to maximize your chances of landing that trophy salmon. After the catch, we'll even handle the fish processing for you. Just remember to bring your fishing license, and you're all set for a focused, hands-on day of salmon fishing. It's the perfect way to experience the beauty of the Oregon coast while chasing some of the most prized fish in the Pacific Northwest.

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