Washington Deep Sea Fishing Charters

Washington Deep Sea Fishing Charters

Best Deep Sea Fishing Charters in Washington

Big King Salmon Charters

Big King Salmon Charters

Excellent
4.5 / 5
(107 reviews)
 Edmonds  •  28 ft  • 6 persons
Popular with anglers looking for Deep Sea fishing charters in Washington

Deep Sea Fishing in Washington

Anglers on the west coast can’t get enough of the deep sea fishing Washington dishes out year after year. And who can blame them? With Salmon, Halibut, Lingcod, and Tuna on the menu, the waters offshore are a regular seafood buffet! More than just tasty, these brutes put up a mean fight. Dig in and you’ll find yourself battling massive Chinook Salmon, “barn door” Halibut, and tireless Albacore Tuna. Bring your stamina and your appetite, because this is one fishery that will leave you hungry for more.

When to Fish

Most of the fish you’ll find here live off the coast of Washington year-round, but local regulations turn deep sea fishing into a seasonal sport. For the area’s finest weather and fishing opportunities, plan to set sail in spring and summer.

The season for ocean Salmon fishing generally opens in July and runs through September (specific fishing zones may have more limited seasons). In years that end with an odd number, Pink Salmon brush past the northern tip of the state on their way through Puget Sound, giving anglers there an extra dose of Salmon action at the end of summer.

Lingcod are open to harvest from mid-March through October, joined by Halibut in May. Depending on where you fish, these species could be just a few minutes from the dock or dozens of miles offshore. In August and September, you can intercept the Albacore Tuna run 40+ miles offshore. These trips typically last 10 hours or more, with some anglers opting for an overnight trip so they can make the most of the Tuna fishing Washington has in store.

Where to Fish

Only a handful of locations on the coast have access to Washington’s deep sea fishing grounds. While the list may be short, it offers plenty of variety, spanning more than 150 miles from north to south. Each location brings something special to the table, proving just how much variety you can find in these waters.

Ilwaco

Perched at the southernmost tip of Washington State, Ilwaco is known for its summer Salmon fishing. You can catch Chinook and Coho here from July through September, and odds are you’ll catch tons of them. More than half of the Salmon caught in the region’s ocean fisheries are hooked off the coast of Ilwaco. Around the same time of year, there’s excellent Tuna fishing 30-50 miles offshore. One factor to bear in mind is that heading offshore requires crossing the Columbia River bar, one of the most dangerous in the country. Always check the weather forecast ahead of time and fish with a local guide.

Westport

When it comes to Chinook Salmon, Westport has Ilwaco beat. Over half of the area’s Chinook are caught here, making this town the premier Chinook fishery on Washington’s coast. This also happens to be the most well-known fishing port in the state, and it’s no surprise when you take a look at the prospects offshore.

Fishing 6-10 miles offshore brings you face-to-face with Chinook and Coho Salmon, Lingcod, and Rockfish. When the Halibut season opens in May, anglers head 25-50 miles offshore for some serious jigging action. The Tuna run is within reach by late summer, with "Albies" swimming 40-100 miles off the coast of Westport.

Similar to the situation in Ilwaco, The Grays Harbor bar can be dangerous for anglers fishing out of Westport and the nearby town of Ocean Shores. It’s important to pay close attention to weather conditions and make sure you have an experienced captain guiding you.

La Push

The rocky coastline of La Push is known for its rugged and mysterious beauty. Trips in this area typically stay 3-8 miles from shore, where you’ll find Lingcod, Rockfish, and exceptional Salmon fishing. Scores of Rockfish, Greenling, and small Lingcod near shore make for light tackle and fly fishing fun. Fishing a little farther out gives you access to good numbers of Halibut.

The bar at La Push poses less of a threat than those at Ilwaco and Westport, but a strong southerly wind can complicate your trip. Keep an eye out for Sea Otters while fishing here for a special treat.

Neah Bay

At the far north of Washington’s coast is Neah Bay. Similar to La Push, this area is known for its rocky shoreline, which makes for excellent bottom fishing grounds. Neah Bay is an excellent introduction to Washington deep sea fishing. Here, there’s no dangerous bar to cross and local waters are far more protected than any fishing grounds to the south. Small charter boats (14-20’) from Neah Bay, Snow Creek, and Sekiu make good use of these stomping grounds.

You can enjoy stellar Chinook and Coho Salmon fishing in Neah Bay from July through September. In odd years, Pink Salmon show up here, too. Cape Flattery nearby offers excellent bottom fishing for Black and Yellowtail Rockfish. The season for Rockfish runs from March through mid October. Depending on regulations, Lingcod may not open to harvest until April in this area, but it’s well worth the wait when you hook into 40+ lb Lings!

Neah Bay has access to some of the best Halibut fishing in Washington, just 20-30 miles away at the fishing grounds known as Swiftsure Bank and Blue Dot. Fishing closer to shore will produce fewer but bigger Halibut, with the opportunity to land a real “barn door” Hali weighing 100 lbs or more.

Washington Deep Sea Fishing Methods

Jigging and bottom fishing

Bottom fishing will help you catch Lingcod, Halibut, Rockfish, and other species that live near the seafloor. Jigging near rock piles and kelp beds produces a variety of Rockfish. Halibut take to whole Herring and Squid on a variety of jigs.

Trolling

Anglers often troll for Salmon and Albacore Tuna. A special technique in Washington known as “mooching” is another common method used to catch Salmon. Unlike trolling, mooching involves holding the rod in your hands so that you can feel the fish strike.

Washington
Excellent
4.5 / 5
Based on 28,443 reviews by FishingBooker anglers

What anglers said about Deep Sea Fishing in Washington

Captain Jim is very precessional. Great quality gear. Runs a tight ship. He is very knowledgeable of the river systems and knows how to put you on fish. We fished for two days and had a blast. Plan on booking again in the near future. The Captain can make it happen!!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Captain Jim is very precessional. Great quality gear. Runs a tight ship. He is very knowledgeable of the river systems and knows how to put you on fish. We fished for two days and had a blast. Plan on booking again in the near future. The Captain can make it happen!!
Millerโ€™s Sportfishing
Millerโ€™s Sportfishing
Listen to the guy whoโ€™s been doing it for ages. Donโ€™t assume you know everything. Be willing to learn new techniques. Youโ€™ll catch them.
Very good
4.0 / 5
Listen to the guy whoโ€™s been doing it for ages. Donโ€™t assume you know everything. Be willing to learn new techniques. Youโ€™ll catch them.
Wind Knot
Wind Knot Oreland, PA
It was warm but not until around 10. Otherwise the sites were beautiful and the fish were biting a lot!! A few dog fish but we caught way more salmon than dog.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
It was warm but not until around 10. Otherwise the sites were beautiful and the fish were biting a lot!! A few dog fish but we caught way more salmon than dog.
Cut Plug Charters- Seattle Fishing
Cut Plug Charters- Seattle Fishing
Just get out on the water where you will find great adventure and make lifelong memories!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Just get out on the water where you will find great adventure and make lifelong memories!
Fish PNW Guide Service
Fish PNW Guide Service Bellevue, Washington
Keep in touch with your alloted captain and charter company, ask what weather and fishing conditions have been like and recommended changes prior to your arrival.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Keep in touch with your alloted captain and charter company, ask what weather and fishing conditions have been like and recommended changes prior to your arrival.
Best Seattle Fishing Charter
Best Seattle Fishing Charter Albuquerque, NM
Be prepared for different weather conditions. It can be very chilly in the morning out on the water, but can get quite warm in the afternoon.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Be prepared for different weather conditions. It can be very chilly in the morning out on the water, but can get quite warm in the afternoon.
Cut Plug Charters- Seattle Fishing
Cut Plug Charters- Seattle Fishing Everett, WA
Check regulations on limits. Two fish is the limit. Assess whether a shorter trip than six hours is appropriate: we booked six hours, however only fished three because we had reached our limit, and the Guide was hesitant to continue catching and releasing, even though the hooks were barbless. as a guide myself, I totally understand this stance. Overall great trip.
Excellent
4.3 / 5
Check regulations on limits. Two fish is the limit. Assess whether a shorter trip than six hours is appropriate: we booked six hours, however only fished three because we had reached our limit, and the Guide was hesitant to continue catching and releasing, even though the hooks were barbless. as a guide myself, I totally understand this stance. Overall great trip.
Best Seattle Fishing Charter
Best Seattle Fishing Charter Hicks, LA
Sunscreen and wearing layers. The morning was cool, but it warmed up significantly as the sun came out.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Sunscreen and wearing layers. The morning was cool, but it warmed up significantly as the sun came out.
Seeking Limits Guide Service
Seeking Limits Guide Service
Bring drinks and snacks as most of the time youโ€™ll just be waiting for the fish to bite the line.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Bring drinks and snacks as most of the time youโ€™ll just be waiting for the fish to bite the line.
Big King Salmon Charters
Big King Salmon Charters Everett, Washington
The salmon moved around and so did we. The captain put us on top of bait balls. We caught our limit of coho within 1.5 hours. We did 1 more hour of C n R. We went on to fishing for flounder. The action was continuous.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
The salmon moved around and so did we. The captain put us on top of bait balls. We caught our limit of coho within 1.5 hours. We did 1 more hour of C n R. We went on to fishing for flounder. The action was continuous.
Cut Plug Charters- Seattle Fishing
Cut Plug Charters- Seattle Fishing
Book a guide for lake or River fishing to get a better idea on where to go & what to throw .
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Book a guide for lake or River fishing to get a better idea on where to go & what to throw .
Wind Knot
Wind Knot Fayetteville, TX
Try to go on a day without a lot of wind - the day we went it was extremely windy and we had a lot of chop.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Try to go on a day without a lot of wind - the day we went it was extremely windy and we had a lot of chop.
Cut Plug Charters- Seattle Fishing
Cut Plug Charters- Seattle Fishing Knoxville, TN
This fishing destination has something for everyone, great restaurants, walking beaches, gift and novelty shops and of course top notch fishing!!! We love Westport and Grays Harbor!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
This fishing destination has something for everyone, great restaurants, walking beaches, gift and novelty shops and of course top notch fishing!!! We love Westport and Grays Harbor!
Pacific Bluewater Sportfishing
Pacific Bluewater Sportfishing Seattle, WA
Could just be the season but there was a ton of bait fish but also almost an infestation of dog sharks who would grab your bait before most salmon had a chance.
Excellent
4.3 / 5
Could just be the season but there was a ton of bait fish but also almost an infestation of dog sharks who would grab your bait before most salmon had a chance.
Cut Plug Charters- Seattle Fishing
Cut Plug Charters- Seattle Fishing Seattle, Washington
Take plenty of layers, under your waders, because it can be super cold out there.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Take plenty of layers, under your waders, because it can be super cold out there.
360 Fishing โ€“ Olympic Peninsula
360 Fishing โ€“ Olympic Peninsula Anacortes, WA
Make sure you are dressed appropriately for the weather, bring rain gear and waders.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Make sure you are dressed appropriately for the weather, bring rain gear and waders.
Mk Sport Fishing - Montesano
Mk Sport Fishing - Montesano Los Angeles, CA
This is very convenient for those living in the Seattle-area, especially during the Coho run. Not even 10 minutes of sailing and you are on the fish. Very much worth it.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
This is very convenient for those living in the Seattle-area, especially during the Coho run. Not even 10 minutes of sailing and you are on the fish. Very much worth it.
Big King Salmon Charters
Big King Salmon Charters Tacoma, WA
Go out early and during crab season when it is open. Get a load of crab and fish for salmon while waiting for the pots to fill up!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Go out early and during crab season when it is open. Get a load of crab and fish for salmon while waiting for the pots to fill up!
No Worries Fishing Charters
No Worries Fishing Charters Port Orchard, Washington
Yes, I have had several fishing charters before. for awesome experience Chasing Fin is the way to go.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Yes, I have had several fishing charters before. for awesome experience Chasing Fin is the way to go.
Chasing Fins Guide Service
Chasing Fins Guide Service United States
It was fun but once it rained it got very cold. The fish were not biting very much at this time. I believe a later warmer time of year would have been better as far as catching fish. The trip itself was very fun.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
It was fun but once it rained it got very cold. The fish were not biting very much at this time. I believe a later warmer time of year would have been better as far as catching fish. The trip itself was very fun.
Mk Sport Fishing
Mk Sport Fishing Seattle, WA

Top Targeted Deep Sea Fishing Species in Washington