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Oregon Coast Fishing Report: Salmon Sizzle, Bottomfish Bounce Back on Gentle Fall Tides
Published 7 months, 1 week ago
Description
Artificial Lure here with your Pacific Ocean Oregon fishing report for Friday, September 19, 2025. The morning started off crisp along the coast, with the sunrise lighting up the water at 6:26 AM and sunset set for 7:09 PM. Skies are partly cloudy, calm ocean conditions, and temps ranging from the mid-50s pre-dawn to the upper 60s by afternoon according to NOAA coastal forecasts.
The tide near Pacific City and Oceanside rolled in with a near-zero low at 6:01 AM, climbing slowly through the morning. That means a classic incoming tide bites window for much of the day, peaking closer to noon, and that should keep baitfish active and gamefish cruising structure and the surfline. These gentle early fall tides are perfect for casting, trolling, or soaking bait while the water stirs up feeding activity.
Salmon is the star this week in Oregon’s marine zone. The Chetco River estuary has seen improved action, with both hatchery and wild Chinook and coho showing up strong, especially on the second half of the incoming tide. Andy Martin from Wild Rivers Fishing reports most fish are caught tight to the jetties using anchovies behind 360 flashers. He says heavy boat traffic but steady catches, so come early for prime spots. Daily bag limit is two adult salmon, no more than one adult wild Chinook, with hatchery coho also present[Current Fishing Reports].
Columbia River managers announced extra salmon days, reopening areas from Buoy 10 west to the Warrior Rock line for Chinook and hatchery coho retention through Sunday. Bag limit: two adult salmon, only one can be Chinook. Wild coho must be released. Hatchery steelhead remain open in the mainstem downstream of The Dalles Dam through December, so bring light tackle and be ready for a mix of species[Oregon Dept. Fish & Wildlife].
Ocean halibut regs are still open daily for the central and southern subareas, and the Columbia River subarea is open Sundays through Fridays. The catch rates have been low at Garibaldi and Bandon, with some effort but few fish in the box—keep expectations in check and target deeper spots on the outgoing tide for best odds[ODFW Marine Zone].
Bottomfish activity has ticked up on deeper reefs and rocky ledges. Lingcod and rockfish have been hot on standard leadhead jigs tipped with squid or Gulp! grubs. Shrimp flies and flutter spoons in green, white, or rootbeer patterns are the go-to on the party boats. Newport and Depoe Bay have been seeing around 0.75 fish per angler lately, while Charleston and Brookings lag behind with low effort and few fish.
Best baits right now:
- Anchovies and herring—especially behind flashers for salmon.
- Squid strips and Gulp! plastics—for rockfish, lingcod, and halibut.
- Cured roe—for river systems and estuaries hunting Chinook.
- Shrimp flies—for combos and surf perch.
Top artificial lures:
- 360 flashers with anchovy helmet rigs for salmon.
- Butterfly and flutter jigs for deeper bottom fish.
- Chrome or chartreuse spoons for surf and jetty work.
Local hot spots to check today:
- The jetties at Chetco River estuary—best action reported for salmon this week.
- Rogue Bay, especially near Grants Pass, where fish are pushing upstream with incoming tides.
- Oceanside’s north jetty for early morning rockfish and surf perch, especially as the tide swings in.
- The reefs offshore of Pacific City for lingcod and black rockfish as conditions allow safe access.
Port activity varies, with Newport offering the most reliable bite and Charleston and Brookings picking up as more salmon move through. The surf and bay perch bite remains decent, especially around rocky breakwaters at dawn and dusk.
Remember to bring layered clothing, check your regs—especially for salmon and halibut—and keep a tides chart handy. Organize your tackle and have those anchovy rigs, shrimp flies, and Gulp! grubs r
The tide near Pacific City and Oceanside rolled in with a near-zero low at 6:01 AM, climbing slowly through the morning. That means a classic incoming tide bites window for much of the day, peaking closer to noon, and that should keep baitfish active and gamefish cruising structure and the surfline. These gentle early fall tides are perfect for casting, trolling, or soaking bait while the water stirs up feeding activity.
Salmon is the star this week in Oregon’s marine zone. The Chetco River estuary has seen improved action, with both hatchery and wild Chinook and coho showing up strong, especially on the second half of the incoming tide. Andy Martin from Wild Rivers Fishing reports most fish are caught tight to the jetties using anchovies behind 360 flashers. He says heavy boat traffic but steady catches, so come early for prime spots. Daily bag limit is two adult salmon, no more than one adult wild Chinook, with hatchery coho also present[Current Fishing Reports].
Columbia River managers announced extra salmon days, reopening areas from Buoy 10 west to the Warrior Rock line for Chinook and hatchery coho retention through Sunday. Bag limit: two adult salmon, only one can be Chinook. Wild coho must be released. Hatchery steelhead remain open in the mainstem downstream of The Dalles Dam through December, so bring light tackle and be ready for a mix of species[Oregon Dept. Fish & Wildlife].
Ocean halibut regs are still open daily for the central and southern subareas, and the Columbia River subarea is open Sundays through Fridays. The catch rates have been low at Garibaldi and Bandon, with some effort but few fish in the box—keep expectations in check and target deeper spots on the outgoing tide for best odds[ODFW Marine Zone].
Bottomfish activity has ticked up on deeper reefs and rocky ledges. Lingcod and rockfish have been hot on standard leadhead jigs tipped with squid or Gulp! grubs. Shrimp flies and flutter spoons in green, white, or rootbeer patterns are the go-to on the party boats. Newport and Depoe Bay have been seeing around 0.75 fish per angler lately, while Charleston and Brookings lag behind with low effort and few fish.
Best baits right now:
- Anchovies and herring—especially behind flashers for salmon.
- Squid strips and Gulp! plastics—for rockfish, lingcod, and halibut.
- Cured roe—for river systems and estuaries hunting Chinook.
- Shrimp flies—for combos and surf perch.
Top artificial lures:
- 360 flashers with anchovy helmet rigs for salmon.
- Butterfly and flutter jigs for deeper bottom fish.
- Chrome or chartreuse spoons for surf and jetty work.
Local hot spots to check today:
- The jetties at Chetco River estuary—best action reported for salmon this week.
- Rogue Bay, especially near Grants Pass, where fish are pushing upstream with incoming tides.
- Oceanside’s north jetty for early morning rockfish and surf perch, especially as the tide swings in.
- The reefs offshore of Pacific City for lingcod and black rockfish as conditions allow safe access.
Port activity varies, with Newport offering the most reliable bite and Charleston and Brookings picking up as more salmon move through. The surf and bay perch bite remains decent, especially around rocky breakwaters at dawn and dusk.
Remember to bring layered clothing, check your regs—especially for salmon and halibut—and keep a tides chart handy. Organize your tackle and have those anchovy rigs, shrimp flies, and Gulp! grubs r