How long is the trip?

Most guided fishing charters are up to 8 hours. Sturgeon fishing trips are up to 6 hours. We normally limit out much faster than 8 hours. Sometimes we go over 8 hours if we struggle early and the action heats up towards the end of the day. For a really good understanding of what to expect, call or text with the dates and target fishery and ill tell you exactly what to expect (although it is still fishing and anything can possibly happen.

When is the best time to come?

For salmon?

If there’s one answer to this, it’s the second half of August. That’s when the Chinook {King salmon) fishing is excellent in the river. You have probably heard of Buoy 10 fishing? The second half of August is the peak of the best salmon fishery in the lower 48. That being said, we normally do very well on salmon from late June through the end of September. Also, hotels are more expensive during August. After labor day, they are far more reasonably priced, the fishing is still good and the weather is normally good until mid October.

For Sturgeon?

Late May through the third week of July.

For Crab?

October, November and December. Only thing here is the crabbing basically gets better and the weather normally gets worse. Like so many things in life, every strength has a weakness.

Do I need a fishing license?

Yes. You also need a tag if we are fishing for salmon or sturgeon. You also need a Columbia river endorsement if we are fishing in the river. And this year, you need an Ocean endorsement if we are bottom fishing. Oregon and Washington state licenses are both fine here. We can help with 1 day licenses if you only need 1 day. We always have a conversation with people the day before a trip to talk about start time and place, if you are properly licensed and how to avoid getting seasick if we’re going to the ocean or expecting to fish at buoy 10. With your name, date of birth and zip code, we can print one day licenses and bring them right on the boat. Our 1 day licenses are $30 and they cover everyone for everything.

Does my child need a fishing license?

Yes. Usually. For bottom fishing and crab, children ages 11 and under do not need a license. For salmon and sturgeon, they do need a license and tag. The license is free, the tag is $5. For Children 12-17, licenses are $10 and tags are $5

Information about licensing can be found here: https://www.eregulations.com/oregon/fishing/license-information

You can also buy licenses online at https://myodfw.com/fishing/licensing-info

Should I just book online or is it better to call?

You are certainly welcome to book online any time. However the software company that handles our online bookings charges a “booking fee” that you can avoid by calling. Please call afternoon or early evening when Jeff is likely done cutting fish. Calling at 730am to ask questions is fine, but he’s normally trying to help people catch fish then.

What time do we start?

Most trips start at 6am, but there are exceptions. Normally, with a date and target fishery, Jeff can tell you with a very high degree of probability what is most likely. Call or text your date and target fishery for confirmation. Sometimes we adjust the start time based on tides and wind forecast. Tides are 100% predictable. Wind forecasts are definitely not extremely reliable, even using the best wind forecast tools. It definitely best the day prior, as compared with several days prior, so sometimes we adjust the expected start time the day prior.

Where do I meet the boat?

I prefer my boat on the trailer, so most of the year, we launce off the trailer at the boat ramp closest to the target fishing area. During buoy 10 season, the boat ramps get annoyingly busy, and we run out of the West Mooring basin in Astoria. During our day prior game plan conversation that we have every single day prior to scheduled trips, we finalize where and when. My where to meet page shows the locations of our launch spots. You can visit it here: https://astoriafishing.com/meet/

How to we get fish home?

At the completion of our trip, we normally take the fish up to our home where we have a very nice facility for fish processing. We also have a commercial grade vacuum sealer and all the ice you want. Just bring a cooler if you are driving home. We also have everything you need to carry fish onto an airplane at Walmart prices. Insulated carry on size bags are $15. Frozen blue ice blocks are $1.50 each. We can help with overnight shipping if you need that. We do have a large ice chest on the boat, so you don’t need to bring a cooler on the boat for the fish.

Do you have a restroom on the boat?

We have a 5 gallon bucket and a portable urinal. My girlfriend Julie is also my deckhand, and she is shockingly good at showing ladies how to use the bucket in privacy on an open boat. If you want or need an enclosed bathroom, we recommend the Ilwaco charter fleet in Ilwaco, Washington. They operate much larger boats with enclosed bathrooms.

What is included? What should I bring? How should I dress for the trip?

Please see our what to bring webpage: https://astoriafishing.com/bring/

Where should I get dinner?

Our favorite restaurant in Astoria is T Paul’s supper club. Its a higher end place and reservations are a good idea. Incredible menu, fantastic food. For seafood, Hurricane Rons or South Bay wild fish house. For burgers, Portway Tavern. For Mexican food, Plaza Jalisco. For Thai food, Nisa’s Thai kitchen in Warrenton. Battery 245 in Warrenton is also a good choice for seafood, burgers and more.

Where should I stay?

We have an arrangement with the Astoria Riverwalk Inn. 15% off with the discount code AFC for Astoria Fishing Charters. It’s also built around the marina we run out of during Buoy 10 season so during the most hectic season we have, you don’t have to drive or park the morning of the trip. Just walk out of the hotel door, around the corner and you’re at the boat. It’s also a good central location for other seasons when the boat is on the trailer and we’re launching it every day.