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Top-Rated Crabbing & Salmon Fishing in S. Oregon
- Published Date: July 16, 2025
- Fishing
- Oregon
- $250 - $300 price range
- Updated Date: August 29, 2025
Summary
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Catch of the Day
Double the Fun: Crabbing and Salmon Fishing
Ready for a Southern Oregon adventure that's twice as nice? Matt Ford's Guide Service is serving up a heaping helping of both crabbing and salmon fishing on this full-day trip. Perfect for newcomers looking to get their feet wet (literally), you'll spend 8 to 10 hours learning the ropes from seasoned pros. We'll hit up some of the best spots along the North and South Umpqua, Southfork Coquille, Rogue River, Chetco, Elk, and Sixes - plus drop some crab pots along the coast. Don't sweat the gear; we've got you covered with everything except your grub, drinks, and fishing license. It's hands-on learning with a side of coastal flavor!
What's the Catch?
This ain't your average fishing trip, folks. We're talking two-for-one action here. You'll start by learning the art of setting crab traps along the rugged Oregon coast. While those tasty crustaceans are doing their thing, we'll hit the rivers for some world-class salmon fishing. The waters around here are teeming with Coho and Chinook salmon, plus steelhead if you're lucky. Don't worry if you've never held a rod before - our guides are patient teachers who'll have you casting like a pro in no time. As the day wraps up, we'll circle back to check our crab pots. With any luck, you'll be heading home with a cooler full of fresh catch!
Rods, Reels, and Crab Pots
Alright, let's break down the nitty-gritty of this two-part adventure. For the fishing portion, we'll be using a mix of techniques depending on the river and conditions. Expect to try your hand at bank fishing, drift fishing, and maybe even some light trolling if the water's right. We provide all the gear, including quality rods, reels loaded with the right line, and an assortment of lures and bait that the local fish can't resist. For crabbing, we use sturdy wire pots baited with fish carcasses or chicken - the smellier, the better! We'll show you how to bait the traps, where to drop them, and the trick to pulling them up without losing your catch. It's all about timing and technique, and by the end of the day, you'll be a crabbing convert.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Coho Salmon: Also known as silvers, these feisty fish are a blast to catch. They're known for their acrobatic jumps and hard-fighting spirit. Coho typically range from 6 to 12 pounds, with some monsters pushing 20. Fall is prime time for these silvery beauties in our local rivers. They're not just fun to catch - they're delicious on the grill too!
Chinook Salmon: The king of the Pacific salmon, Chinooks are the heavyweights of our rivers. These bruisers can tip the scales at 30 pounds or more, with some lucky anglers landing 50-pounders! They're most abundant in the fall, but we see some spring runs too. Chinooks are prized for their rich, fatty meat - perfect for smoking or grilling.
Steelhead Trout: These sea-run rainbows are like the marathon runners of the fish world. They're sleek, powerful, and put up one heck of a fight. Winter is usually the best time to target these 5 to 15-pounders, but we get summer runs too. Steelhead are catch-and-release in many areas, but the thrill of landing one is reward enough!
Dungeness Crab: While not a fish, these tasty crustaceans are the prize of our crabbing efforts. Dungeness can grow up to 10 inches across and weigh over 2 pounds. They're most active in the fall and winter months, but we can usually find some year-round. There's nothing quite like the sweet, tender meat of a fresh-caught Dungeness!
Why Anglers (and Crabbers) Keep Coming Back
Southern Oregon's rivers and coastline are a fishing paradise, plain and simple. But it's not just about the catch - it's the whole package. Picture yourself standing in a misty river at dawn, surrounded by towering evergreens. The only sounds are the rushing water and maybe a bald eagle's cry. Then your rod suddenly bends double with the weight of a chrome-bright salmon. That's the kind of moment that hooks people for life. Add in the fun of pulling up crab pots full of skittering Dungeness, and you've got a day that's hard to beat. Our guides know these waters like the back of their hand, and they're passionate about sharing their knowledge. Whether you're here for the fishing, the scenery, or just to try something new, this trip delivers big time.
Time to Get Your Feet Wet
Look, we could go on all day about how great this trip is, but the proof is in the pudding (or in this case, the salmon). If you've ever wanted to try your hand at fishing or crabbing, this is your chance to learn from the best. Matt Ford's Guide Service has been showing folks the ropes for years, and we've got a knack for turning beginners into enthusiasts. Remember, you don't need to bring a thing except your license, some grub, and a good attitude. We'll handle the rest. Just keep in mind that deposits are non-refundable, so check out our Trips & Rates page for all the details. Ready to make some waves? Give us a shout and let's get you booked for a day of double trouble on the water. Trust us, once you've pulled in your first salmon and cracked open a fresh crab, you'll be hooked for life!
Learn more about the species
Chinook Salmon
Chinook, or king salmon, are the biggest salmon species we target here in Southern Oregon. These brutes can top 30 pounds, with some monsters pushing 50+. Look for them in our coastal rivers from late summer through fall, often holding in deeper pools and runs. Chinooks are prized for their rich, flavorful meat and powerful fights. To hook one, I like to drift roe or fish plugs in likely holding water. Early morning and evening are prime times. These fish can be leader-shy, so I often downsize to 12-15 lb test. The Rogue is our top Chinook fishery, but the Chetco can be dynamite too. One tip: Chinooks often hug the bottom in bright conditions, so make sure your presentation is getting down. There's nothing quite like the thrill of hooking into a big, chrome-bright king fresh from the ocean.
Coho Salmon
Coho salmon, also called silver salmon, are a prized catch here in Southern Oregon. These acrobatic fighters typically run 8-12 pounds, though some monsters push 30 inches and 20+ pounds. Look for them in calm spots under debris in our coastal rivers from late summer through fall. Cohos are known for their bright orange-red meat and put up an impressive fight - they can jump 6 feet vertically! To target them, I like swinging bright spinners in faster water or twitching jigs in holding pools. Float fishing with roe also works well. The Rogue and Chetco are top spots. Just remember, these fish die after spawning, so handle them carefully if you're catch and release. For keepers, you can't beat the taste of fresh-caught wild coho on the grill.
Lingcod
Lingcod are one mean-looking fish, but man are they fun to catch. These aggressive predators have a huge mouth full of teeth and can grow over 3 feet long, though most we catch are in the 10-30 pound range. You'll find them hanging around rocky reefs and kelp beds from 30 to 300 feet deep. Lingcod are ambush predators, so they don't move much - look for them tucked into rocky lairs waiting to pounce on prey. We can target them year-round, but winter is often best as they move shallower to spawn. They put up a great fight and the meat is delicious. My go-to rig is a heavy jig bounced right on the bottom. Make sure you use braided line of at least 30 lb test, as these fish will wrap you around rocks in a heartbeat if you give them any slack.
Steelhead Trout
Steelhead are the sea-run form of rainbow trout, and they're a favorite target for anglers here in Southern Oregon. These powerful fish typically range from 5-15 pounds, though trophy catches can top 20. Look for them in our coastal rivers from fall through spring, with winter being prime time. Steelhead love fast, oxygenated water near rocks and logs. They're known for their hard-fighting spirit and acrobatic leaps. To hook one, try drifting egg patterns or swinging flies in likely runs. For gear fishing, I've had good luck with small spinners or drifting roe. The Rogue, Umpqua, and Chetco are all solid bets. Just remember to fish the seams and deeper pools where steelhead like to hold. These fish can be finicky, so downsize your presentation if you're not getting hits.
Yellowedge Grouper
Yellowedge grouper are a deep-water species we occasionally encounter on offshore trips. These big, solitary fish typically weigh 20-40 pounds and hang out around rocky structure in 300-800 feet of water. They're prized for their flaky white meat, which some say rivals halibut. Yellowedge put up a stubborn fight, using their bulk to dive for cover. To target them, we'll usually deep drop live bait or big jigs right on the bottom. Electric reels are a big help at those depths. These fish are slow-growing and long-lived, so we practice selective harvest. One tip: When you hook up, get that fish moving up fast or it'll bury you in the rocks. The fight isn't over until that grouper's in the boat - I've seen many lost at the surface. It's always a treat to bring one of these deep-water bruisers topside.
About the Jet Boat
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
Manufacturer Name: Chevy
Maximum Cruising Speed: 55
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 350
