Astoria Fishing Charter
Chase giant sturgeon, schools of Coho and Chinook Salmon, packs of Rockfish, prowling Lingcod, and swarms of crab. I strive to be more than just a great fishing guide. I offer insight into the places we fish and the species we seek. My Astoria fishing charter trips are great for beginners, dedicated anglers, and sightseers alike. All are welcome.
I would be honored to help you bring home memories to share.
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Fishing Charter Trips and Adventures
Columbia River Fishing Charter: Buoy 10 Salmon
A Buoy 10 salmon fishing charter is on so many bucket lists for a reason! When these fresh from the ocean fish collide with the warm summer waters of the Columbia River, fireworks just happen. More people have caught their first Columbia River Salmon during Buoy 10 than any other time of the year.
Price: $250/seat, $1,100 private trip (up to 5)
Columbia River Fishing Charter: Spring Chinook
Columbia River Spring Chinook is our most challenging fishery but the rewards are great. Spring Chinook are world renowned for their high quality. Commercially caught fish often sell for over $50 per pound.
The arrival of these fish in Astoria means that the Columbia River Salmon fishing season has started. When you catch one, you will undoubtedly have a story and an excellent meal to share.
Price: $250/seat, $1,100 private trip (up to 5)
Columbia River Fishing Charter: Sturgeon
If you’ve never tried catching these massive prehistoric beasts you’re in for a treat. Sturgeon are ancient and powerful. In shallow water they explode. This means they put up fights that rival other bucket list fish like tarpon and marlin. To be sure, these are the diamonds in the crown jewels of Astoria fishing.
The catch and release fishery means lots of large fish. Because of this, my boat’s 2025 season record stands at 9 feet. Will you catch a bigger one?
Full Day: $250/seat, $1,100 private trip (up to 5)
Half Day: $150/seat, 600 private trip (up to 5)
Ocean Fishing Charter: Salmon
Chrome Coho and bright Chinook travel in schools looking for anything shiny to eat. As a result, this drive to feed creates fast action and a great fight. If you want to make an Astoria fishing guide work, this is the way to do it! I regularly have to call for a backup net or have to double-scoop fish when we hook a double. Fresh, ocean caught salmon is one of the top prizes for the table.
Trip Length: Full Day
Price: $250/seat, $1,100 private trip (up to 5)
Ocean Fishing Charter: Lingcod and Rockfish
While salmon often takes the center stage, this is one of the most underrated fisheries in the Astoria area. Lingcod are aggressive and voracious. Rockfish can swarm your gear in a minute resulting in multiple fish on the line at the same time. With constant jigging and regular hookups, there’s no downtime for anyone.
Trip Length: Full Day
Price: $250/seat, $1,100 private trip (up to 5)
Astoria Fishing Charter: Dungeness Crab
The closing act for a year of Astoria fishing, catching and eating these tasty crustaceans is a favorite past time. Feasting on crab in the fall after the salmon have moved upriver is a holiday tradition around Astoria.
Trip Length: Half Day
Price: $150/seat, 600 private trip (up to 5)
Fishing Updates
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Spring Chinook Fishing: A Classic Columbia River Experience
My first fishing memory was on my grandpa’s boat on the Rogue River. He was the best fishing guide for Spring Chinook that a kid could ask for. On that hand-built plywood boat I learned the basics of what I still use today. That river was my classroom. He was the teacher. The subjects were
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New Partnership with X2 Fishing, better salmon flashers, more fish!
The first “care package” from my new partnership with X2 Fishing has arrived! These guys make some awesome Salmon fishing gear and it’s already killed a bunch of fish. I can’t wait to use this stuff to catch more fish for my clients. Watch a preview of some of the new flashers and gear that…
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What’s up with Sturgeon in the Lower Columbia
I’ll admit it, I was a late bloomer when it came to sturgeon fishing. I had unsuccessfully tried fishing for them on the Rogue when I was a teenager. I eventually became too distracted by other things and moved on. Sturgeon fishing in Oregon eventually shut down almost everywhere. The few limited retention days that
About Jerad
I love fishing, but I love being a licensed fishing guide more. That’s a weird thing to say but it’s true.
I caught my first fish at 3 years old when my grandfather took me out on his homemade wooden boat. He was the best fishing guide you could hope for. When the rod went down he left the rod in the holder while I cranked the reel. His shouts of “don’t stop reeling” echo in my ears today. When the fish was netted and on the deck he smiled. He told me good job and covered it with a damp burlap sack to keep it cool.
There is still a picture of me somewhere holding up one end of the handle of a garden hoe. The other end rested on a wheelbarrow and the fish hung in between. That Rogue River Spring Chinook was nearly as big as I was. It had hooked me as much as I had hooked it. Even still, I feel that same sense of excitement every time the line goes tight.
Before the era of YouTube I learned the craft of being a fishing guide from my father and grandfather. They taught me about knots, lures, presentation, reading water, fish behavior, and fishing tactics. I learned to listen at the ramp as they swapped tips on the latest strategies with other people. These lessons have proven as useful fishing on the Columbia River as they did on the Rogue.
Why I Started my own Astoria Fishing Charter
From them, I learned the best parts of fishing and being a fishing guide are the moments spent with others. Experiencing the moment with your son or daughter when they catch their first fish. Laughing with joy as your best friend’s eyes go wide when the fish rises up out of the water. Listening to the song that the reel’s drag makes when the fish takes a long run. Seeing the ear to ear grin on your parent’s face when the net finally embraces that shimmering, collection of scales. The smell of the water and of a freshly caught fish in the boat.
Now that I’m older and more patient, I love remembering and sharing stories while waiting for action to happen. Watching seabirds, otters and seals play and feed is some of the best entertainment around. Meeting with new friends and old around a shared past time is a treasure. Helping others experience all of this is why I love being a fishing guide.
Learn more about my journey to becoming a Columbia River fishing guide