Westport Ocean Charter Salmon Fishing
Season: The 2010 salmon season will be open for 2 kings per person from June 12th through June 30th. It will open for both kings and silvers on July 4th through mid September or when the quota is reached. We are currently taking reservations for the early king season only.
Limits: 2 Salmon. Kings only for the early season. Late season bag limits will be 2 salmon, one of which may be a king..
Checking In: Be on the boat for check-in 30-45 minutes prior to departure.
Prices: Prices include bait gear, and tax.

Description: The Westport charter Salmon fishing trip is our most famous trip. At one time we had over 270 charter boats in Westport engaged in Salmon fishing charters. This earned us the nickname, "The Salmon Fishing Capital of the World." We catch both Chinook (also called King) and Coho (also called Silver) Salmon. Kings average around fourteen pounds, and get over 50 pounds. Silvers are fast growing. They average about four to five pounds in early July and average eight to twelve pounds in early September. We very rarely catch other species including Chum and Pink Salmon.

Since Salmon are migratory, we go where the fish are. Our traditional Salmon fishing grounds are about 10 miles offshore from Westport. However, we will go wherever we need to go to catch the most fish possible. The charter fishing fleet in Westport is now made up of about 40 boats. For the most part, the captains communicate with each other regularly and work as a group to locate the best Salmon fishing possible.

In Westport, we use two primary methods for fishing for Salmon. They are mooching (or drifting) and trolling. Mooching is our method of preference, and trolling is typically done when the captain deems that the conditions would make that a better option. In drifting, the boat will come to a complete stop. The crew will let you know how deep to fish. They will say something like, "OK, everyone go forty and up." What you do then is you are going to drop your line slowly to forty feet, then crank it back up to the surface. Then when your weight gets to the top, you look at your bait, then drop it to forty again. You keep doing this over and over. It is as if you are using a lure. Smooth cranking is the method. Don't jerk or jig the bait. The crew will give you detailed instructions if you need them on what to do if you get a bite, how to play the fish, and anything else you need to know. They are very helpful and want you to have a great time catching your Salmon. Sometimes it gets a bit tiring, and you may need a bit of a break, but the best success by far in Salmon fishing comes when all the people on the boat are cranking. In trolling, the crew will tell you a depth to set your line at, and will move the boat forward slowly. In this method, you just sit back and watch your pole. If someone gets a fish on, the captain will pull the boat out of gear and then everyone can resume cranking (mooching) until that fish is landed.

Salmon are great fighters, and you will frequently have to chase them around, over or under your neighbor as the captain or deckhand helps keep the other lines clear so that you can land your fish. We've been fishing in Westport for Salmon for years, and we have found the methods that work the best and are the most fun. On the best years, you get your limit and head home early, but even in the slow years, catching Salmon is a fun, one-of-a-kind, unforgettable experience.

Difficulty Rating: Low/Medium Difficulty