Oregon Coast Charter Fishing
Upfront Outfitters is excited to expand beyond hunting and now offer Oregon coast charter fishing trips through our new division, Upfront Ocean Adventures. While the name may be new, the experience behind it is not. Owner Mike Jenkins has spent most of his life guiding outdoors and chasing his passion for fishing the Pacific Northwest coast.
Before becoming a full-time hunting guide, Mike lived in Alaska for over a decade, where he built his boating skills and invested numerous hours fishing saltwater. Running a charter fishing business had always been one of his goals, and after years of learning the Oregon coast and mastering offshore conditions, that dream became a reality. For the past seven years, Mike has continued to gain experience fishing the Pacific Ocean and helping others enjoy the experience that comes with it.
Based out of South Beach Marina in Newport, Oregon, Upfront Ocean Adventures offers professionally guided trips for anglers, families, and groups looking for a fun and honest day on the water. Whether you want to chase salmon and bottom fish offshore, enjoy a shorter coastal trip, go whale watching, or even combine fishing with one of our hunting adventures, we focus on producing memorable experiences without all the overhyped promises.
Salmon Fishing Charter
Our Oregon salmon fishing charters offer an exciting mix of adventure, fast action, and the chance to catch some of the most popular fish on the West Coast. Based out of Newport, Oregon, these charters target both Coho (Silver) salmon during the summer months and Chinook (King) salmon in the spring and early fall. Known for their hard fights and excellent taste, these fish make every trip rewarding, whether you are fishing for fun, fresh seafood, or both.
Every salmon fishing charter is planned around current ocean conditions to help put anglers in the best possible fishing spots. Weather, tides, water temperatures, bait activity, and fish movement are all considered before heading offshore. Most trips travel between 5 and 15 miles out into the Pacific, where salmon are actively feeding. By leaving around daylight, anglers get more time on the water during one of the best times of day to fish.
These salmon charters are designed for everyone from beginners to experienced anglers. If you are new to ocean fishing, guides will help you learn how to use the equipment, fight fish, and understand the basics of salmon fishing. More experienced anglers can enjoy the steady action and opportunity to target quality fish in one of Oregon’s top fisheries.
The boat is fully equipped with professional-grade rods, reels, tackle, and downriggers to help target salmon at the right depths. Since salmon often stay in cooler, deeper water, the equipment is designed to keep bait and lures where fish are feeding. Everything onboard is selected for performance and durability, giving anglers dependable gear that can handle aggressive fish and long runs.
Oregon fishing regulations are closely followed throughout the season to help protect salmon populations for the future. During parts of the summer, only hatchery Coho salmon may be kept, while wild fish and certain Chinook salmon must be released. In September, regulations allow anglers to keep up to two salmon per day, including one Chinook.
From the early morning ride offshore to the excitement of hooking into strong salmon, these charters are built to provide a fun, safe, and memorable day on the Pacific Ocean.
Halibut Fishing Charter
Oregon halibut fishing charters give anglers the chance to chase powerful fish while enjoying a memorable day offshore. The main Pacific halibut season runs from May through June, when these fish move into areas that are easier to reach from shore. Anglers travel from Oregon, Washington, California, and even Alaska for the chance to hook into one of these impressive fish.
Halibut are known for their size, strength, and great flavor. While Oregon may not always produce the giant halibut Alaska is famous for, the fish here are still exciting to catch. Most halibut weigh around 20 to 40 pounds, and fish over 60 pounds are not uncommon. Catching one takes patience, but when a halibut bites, the fight can get exciting fast.
These halibut charters are more about quality than quantity. You are not just trying to catch a bunch of fish quickly; you are going after a true ocean trophy. Our guides help you through the whole process, from using the gear and dropping your line to spotting bites and reeling in your fish. Whether you are new to offshore fishing or have years of experience, you will have support the entire way.
Guests can choose between a traditional rod and reel or an electric reel setup. Electric reels are helpful in deep water because they make it easier to bring your line up when checking bait or resetting. For anglers who still want the hands-on challenge, the electric reel can also be used in manual mode when it is time to fight the fish.
Halibut charters usually begin before sunrise, giving you an early start while the ocean is often calmer and fish are more active. The ride to the fishing grounds typically takes about 1 to 1.5 hours offshore. During that time, the crew gets the gear ready, goes over helpful tips, and makes sure everyone feels comfortable before the fishing begins.
Lingcod and Rockfish Fishing Charters
Oregon lingcod and rockfish fishing charters combine fast-paced fishing with beautiful coastal scenery for an action-packed trip on the water. Lingcod are famous for their ferocious strikes and strong fights, especially around rocky reefs and underwater structures where they like to hunt. When one hits your bait, there is no mistaking it. At the same time, rockfish keep the action steady with plenty of opportunities to catch species like black, blue, canary, and yellowtail rockfish around reefs and rockpiles.
Our lingcod and rockfish fishing charters combine both lingcod and rockfish fishing into one trip, giving you more time catching fish and a better chance at heading home with a full cooler. Whether you are experienced or brand new to fishing, these trips are easy to enjoy, fast-paced, and packed with action from start to finish.
Lingcod Fishing Charter
Lingcod fishing charters in Oregon are all about aggressive strikes, hard fights, and hands-on fishing around rocky Pacific reefs. The lingcod fishing season usually runs from March through September. They live around rocky reefs, ledges, and underwater structures where they ambush bait, so once your lure drops into the right area, the action can happen fast.
One of the best parts about lingcod fishing is how active and hands-on it is. Instead of just waiting around, anglers are constantly working their bait or jigs near the bottom and staying ready for a hard strike. When a lingcod hits, they often try to swim back into the rocks, which makes the fight even more exciting. Whether you are an experienced angler or completely new to fishing, lingcod trips are fun, easy to learn, and packed with action.
Our lingcod fishing charters focus on fishing productive areas, both nearshore and offshore, where lingcod are most active. Newport’s nutrient-filled waters hold healthy numbers of fish, including trophy lingcod that can weigh over 20 pounds. Early spring trips and deeper offshore waters often provide the best chance at landing larger fish.
We use proven lingcod fishing techniques like drifting bait, bouncing jigs along the bottom, and fishing swimbaits that imitate real baitfish. These methods are effective, simple to learn, and great for anglers of all skill levels. Our boats are fully equipped with lightweight, high-quality rods, reels, and tackle designed to help you feel every bite while still having enough power to handle aggressive fish. Guests can choose between spinning rods or baitcasting setups depending on what feels most comfortable.
Rockfish Fishing Charter
Rockfish fishing charters in Oregon are perfect for anglers looking for nonstop action. Rockfish season typically runs from March through September, and these trips are known for producing steady bites and lots of opportunities to catch fish. Instead of sitting around waiting, anglers usually stay busy the entire trip, making rockfish charters a fun and exciting option for all experience levels.
We fish productive areas like rocky reefs, ledges, and offshore rockpiles where large schools of rockfish gather to feed. Newport’s nutrient-abundant waters support a wide variety of species, including black rockfish, blue rockfish, canary rockfish, yellowtail rockfish, and more. Since different species can show up throughout the day, every drop to the bottom brings a chance to catch something different.
One of the biggest advantages of rockfish charters is how quickly the fishing starts. Many of the best fishing spots are only a few miles from the marina, which makes these trips perfect for half-day adventures while still offering plenty of action. It is also common for anglers to reach their daily limits, giving you a great chance to head home with fresh fish for the table. Rockfish are well known for their mild, flaky fillets and are considered some of the best-eating fish on the coast.
These charters are great for beginners, experienced anglers, families, and groups because the fishing stays active and easy to learn. We also offer combination trips where you can add lingcod fishing, salmon fishing, or even crabbing to create a full-day experience on the water.
Every rockfish charter comes fully equipped with quality rods, reels, and tackle designed specifically for rockfish fishing. The gear is lightweight, easy to handle, and sensitive enough to feel every bite near the bottom. We use proven techniques like drifting bait, shrimp flies, rubber worms, and swimbaits to keep the rockfish fishing productive and fun throughout the trip. Depending on the conditions and fish activity, we adjust our tactics to maximize your chances of success.
For the 2026 season, Oregon regulations allow each angler to keep up to 4 rockfish per day. Lingcod can also be targeted during the same trip, with a separate daily limit of 3 fish per person. These regulations help protect the fishery while still giving anglers the chance to bring home a quality catch after a fun day offshore.
Oregon Coast Crabbing
Crabbing is one of the best ways to experience the Oregon coast and bring home some amazing seafood at the same time. Newport is well known for yielding premium-quality Oregon Dungeness crab thanks to its cold, nutrient-abundant waters that help grow crab with full shells and great flavor. Crabbing season is especially productive from late fall through early summer, when crab numbers are strong, and conditions are ideal for filling pots.
Every trip is planned around the most productive crabbing areas, including Yaquina Bay, the jetties, and nearby ocean waters when conditions allow. Guests get to be part of the entire process, from setting crab pots to pulling them up and sorting through the catch. One of the most exciting moments is watching a pot come out of the water packed with keeper crab, ready to head home with you.
Crabbing trips are known for being consistent and fun for all experience levels. Whether it is your first time or you have gone crabbing before, the process is easy to learn and keeps everyone involved. These trips are also great for families, groups, or anyone looking for a relaxed but hands-on day on the water.
You can book a trip focused completely on crabbing or add crabbing onto one of our fishing charters for an even bigger adventure. Either way, there is a good chance you will leave with plenty of fresh Dungeness crab to enjoy later. Few things beat sitting down to a fresh crab dinner knowing you caught it yourself just hours earlier.
Whale Watching Tours
Oregon coast whale watching tours are an incredible way to experience the wildlife and beauty of the Pacific Ocean. The Oregon coast is full of nutrient-dense waters that attract all kinds of marine life, especially gray whales during their yearly migration along the coast. Because Newport sits right along this migration route, it has become one of the best places on the West Coast to see whales in their natural environment.
The most popular times for whale watching are during the winter and spring migrations. In the winter, gray whales travel south to warmer waters, and in the spring, they head back north. During these seasons, it is common to spot multiple whales during a single trip. Newport is also home to resident gray whales that stay near the coast for much of the year, so there is often a good chance of seeing whales even outside the migration seasons.
One of the best parts about these whale watching tours is that you usually do not have to travel far offshore before spotting wildlife. Guests often begin seeing whale activity shortly after leaving the harbor. You might see whales spouting water from their blowholes, breaching out of the water, or slapping their tails on the surface. Watching these massive animals up close in the wild creates an experience that is hard to forget.
Whale watching tours also give you the chance to see much more than just whales. Sea lions, porpoises, and a variety of seabirds are commonly spotted throughout the trip. Occasionally, guests may even see humpback whales or orcas, adding even more excitement to the adventure.
These whale watching tours are great for families, photographers, wildlife lovers, or anyone wanting to experience the Oregon coast from a different perspective. Guided tours provide a safe and comfortable way to enjoy the ocean while experienced crews help spot wildlife and share information along the way.
For the best experience, it is recommended to bring a camera and binoculars. Wildlife can sometimes appear quickly or farther away, and having the right gear helps you enjoy and capture those moments even more.
Hunting and Fishing Trips in Oregon
If you want to experience the best of the Pacific Northwest in one trip, our hunting and fishing trips in Oregon are a great option. These trips combine exciting time on the ocean with real Western-style hunting, giving you the chance to enjoy two remarkable outdoor experiences in one complete package.
The adventure usually starts on the water near Newport, Oregon, where you will fish some of the most productive waters on the West Coast. Depending on the season, you may target salmon, halibut, rockfish, or other bottomfish known for their hard-fighting nature and excellent table quality. It is a fun, hands-on way to experience the Pacific Ocean while learning new skills and, hopefully, bringing home fresh seafood.
After fishing, the trip continues inland into the forests and mountains of the Pacific Northwest for a guided fair-chase hunt with Upfront Outfitters. Depending on the time of year, hunts may include archery elk, spring turkey, or spring bear. These hunts focus on real outdoor experiences built around patience, skill, and respect for wildlife and the land. Experienced guides help lead the hunt and work hard to make sure every trip is safe, ethical, and enjoyable.
What makes these combo hunting and fishing trips special is how smoothly the experiences come together. Instead of booking separate adventures, you get one well-planned trip that combines offshore fishing with the challenge of a true big-game hunt. It is a great choice for anyone wanting to make the most of their time in Oregon while experiencing everything the region has to offer.
These hunting and fishing trips are perfect for hunters and anglers looking to check multiple adventures off their bucket list in one vacation. Whether your goal is catching fresh fish, chasing a Roosevelt elk, hunting spring bear, or merely enjoying the outdoors, these packages deliver a fun, well-rounded Pacific Northwest experience.
Popular combo hunting and fishing trip options include:
- Archery Elk + Salmon Fishing
- Archery Elk + Bottom Fishing
- Spring Turkey + Halibut or Rockfish/Crabbing
- Spring Bear + Halibut or Rockfish/Crabbing
With beautiful scenery, experienced guides, and nonstop outdoor action, these custom hunting and fishing trips are a great way to fully experience the Pacific Northwest lifestyle.
Oregon Fishing Packages
Salmon Fishing Trip Package
Half day 5-6 hours - $225 per seat or group rate of $1,250 per boat (up to six anglers)
Add crabbing $25 per person.
Near-Shore Halibut Fishing Trip Package
Full day near shore fishing trip – 6-8 hours - $285 per seat – group rate of $1575 per boat (up to six anglers)
Offshore Halibut Fishing Trip Package
Full day offshore fishing trip – 8-12 hours - $365 per seat – group rate of $1750 per boat (up to six anglers)
Lingcod & Rockfish Fishing & Crabbing Combo Package
Half-day near-shore trip, 4-6 hours - $175 per person or group rate of $1,000 for private boat (up to six passengers)
Full day offshore trip 8-10 hours - $275 per person – group rate of $1500 for private boat
Pacific Ocean Mixed Bag Fishing Trip Package
Salmon fishing, Rockfish fishing, Lingcod fishing, and Crabbing
Full Day 8-10 hours - $275 per seat or a group rate of $1500 for the boat
Coastal Whale Watching Tour Package
3-4 hour tour - private groups only $1,000 (up to six passengers)