Play N Hooky Guide Service - Astoria

If you’ve heard of Buoy 10 of the Columbia River, but you’ve never had the chance to cast your line in these productive fishing grounds, then it’s high time to give it a go. From August until mid-September, Play N Hooky Guide Service runs trips from Astoria, just in time for you to catch your biggest King Salmon yet.

Captain Eric Baird, who will be your guide for the day, has over 25 years of experience chasing Salmon in these waters, and he knows all their secret hideouts. Chinook and Coho Salmon are in the cards, and both of them are excellent fighters that will not make it easy for you to reel them in. Bear in mind that this area has strict limits on how many fish you can catch per day and that they vary from season to season.

One thing Buoy 10 is known for is its tides and a massive difference they make on the day-to-day fishery. Have no fear, Capt. Eric will know when the best time to start your expedition is and he will know just where to go to put you on the fish. And for a great day on the restless waters of the Columbia River, you need a strong and safe boat as your ride.

Captain’s trusty ally in all the fishing quests is a 24’ Riverwild with the capacity to take out up to 6 people to the best fishery of the day. She’s rigged with twin 225 HP Yamaha engines and has all the fish finding electronics you could ask for. You will have rods, reels, and tackle on board, as well as fresh live bait and lures.

You’re in charge of bringing your own lunch, snacks, and drinks, or you can ask Capt. Eric to provide them for you for a small additional cost. After you’ve fought the King and came out a winner, your guide will fillet your catch for free, that way you’ll have a mouthwatering dinner as soon as you come home.

Play N Hooky Guide Service is ready to show you the abundance of Buoy 10, just bring a valid fishing license and join in for a day for amazing Salmon fishing!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Aug 1 - Sep 15
    Price for 2 persons
    US $500
    There's no better place to get hooked on Salmon fishing than Buoy 10! Come along for an 8-hour trip that will get you to wrestle with the tides and catch massive Chinook and Coho Salmon they bring. All the fishing equipment is provided, just bring a valid fishing license.
There are 8 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.7 / 5
out of 5 stars from 15 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (27)
Company appreciation day.
Company appreciation day.
Company appreciation day.
+24
Angler rating
13
1
0
1
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
93%
Appropriate for children
83%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
93%
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5 of 15 reviews
Julie M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Awesome Fishing Trip

VERIFIED   NEW  Full Day Trip on August 22, 2024
We had a great time fishing with Captain Eric.  It was a fun and relaxing day on the water and we both caught fish!  Thank...
Julie M. recommends Play N Hooky Guide Service - Astoria
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OPM I. S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

August fishing trip

VERIFIED   NEW  Full Day Trip on August 26, 2024
OPM I. S. recommends Play N Hooky Guide Service - Astoria
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Thomas B.
Portland, OR
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Company appreciation day.

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on August 25, 2023
Caught 11 fish. Not to bad. Some advice: be at the dock ready 5-10 mins before 6 so you can get out first first thing.  Morning...
Thomas B. recommends Play N Hooky Guide Service - Astoria
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Nikolaus N.
Estacada, OR
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Full day with captain Baird

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on August 25, 2022
Rough day on the water, bite not too hot. Captain Baird knows his stuff and put us on the fish regardless. We hooked at least...
Nikolaus N. recommends Play N Hooky Guide Service - Astoria
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David S.
Kent, WA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Full day trip with Eric

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on August 30, 2020
Awesome fishing experience with captain Eric Baird. This was my first time fishing in the ocean for salmon. When I booked the...
David S. recommends Play N Hooky Guide Service - Astoria
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FAQs about Play N Hooky Guide Service - Astoria

Play N Hooky Guide Service - Astoria offers the following trip to customers:
  • US $250 per person - Full Day Trip (8 hours)

When you book a trip with Play N Hooky Guide Service - Astoria, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Ice Box

Trips booked with Play N Hooky Guide Service - Astoria include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Lunch (Request upon booking)

Play N Hooky Guide Service - Astoria offers the following types of fishing:
  • River Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing

Play N Hooky Guide Service - Astoria offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
  • Drift Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Play N Hooky Guide Service - Astoria include:
  • Salmon (Chinook)
  • Salmon (Coho)

Meet the Charter Operator

Play N Hooky Guide Service
Warrenton, Oregon, United States
10 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
34 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since August 2018
Captain Eric Baird has spent the last quarter of the century casting his line in the waters around Washington and Oregon and he's got ample experience to share with his customers. His parents' love of fishing and the great outdoors was what got him into fishing in the first place. Today, Capt. Eric enjoys the most taking out families with kids and helping them reel in their first catch.

About this listing

Targeted species

Salmon (Chinook) Chinook Salmon
Salmon (Coho) Coho Salmon

Boat specs

Boat Image
Boat category
Skiffs and flats boats
Capacity
6 persons
Boat length
25 ft
Year built
2011
Restored in
2022
Boat manufacturer
25’ willie raptor
Boat type
Aluminum fishing

Engine model
Yamaha
Powered by
2 x 225HP
Max cruising speed
35 knots

Types of fishing

River Fishing
Nearshore Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Spinning
Jigging
Drift Fishing

Amenities

GPS
Fishfinder
Ice Box

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Lunch
Request upon booking

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 14 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 14 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
Kids are great
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Book with 20% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 20% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash
Visa
Mastercard