Oregon · Northern Oregon Coast
ALBACORE TUNA FISHING
IN ASTORIA
Astoria is a solid destination for albacore tuna fishing, with peak season in September and good catches in August. Book a charter and target albacore tuna with local experts.
About Albacore Tuna Fishing in Astoria
Albacore are warm-water tuna that migrate along the Pacific coast each summer, arriving off Oregon and Washington in July and lingering through October. Known for their long, screaming runs and excellent sushi-grade flesh, albacore trips often head 30–60 miles offshore to find the warm blue water where schools feed on anchovies and squid.
Albacore Tuna are warm-water migrants that arrive off the Pacific coast each summer, following warm currents and baitfish schools 30-60+ miles offshore. Distinguished from other tunas by their extremely long pectoral fins (which extend past the anal fin), albacore have a dark blue back, silver sides, and a white belly. They are the only tuna species marketed as "white meat tuna" and are highly prized for their mild, light-colored flesh that is excellent for sushi, canning, or grilling fresh.
Scientific name: Thunnus alalunga
Albacore Tuna Seasonal Calendar — Astoria
Month-by-month availability for albacore tuna in Astoria, OR.
How to Catch Albacore Tuna in Astoria
Techniques & Bait
Trolling cedar plugs, feather jigs, and Rapalas at 6-8 knots to locate schools, then switching to stop-and-chum with live anchovies or bait chunks is the classic West Coast albacore technique. Once a school is located, casting swimbaits, iron jigs (Salas, Tady), or fly fishing with heavy streamers into the feeding fish produces fast action. "Run and gun" — trolling between temperature breaks until fish are found, then stopping to fish with bait — is the most efficient approach.
Recommended Tackle
Trolling: 6-7 ft medium-heavy rod, 30-40 lb line, conventional reel. Bait fishing: 7-8 ft medium rod, spinning or conventional reel, 20-30 lb mono or 40 lb braid, 25-30 lb fluorocarbon leader. Fly: 10-12 weight rod, fast-sinking line, large Deceiver or Popper patterns. Albacore make long, fast runs — reel capacity and drag quality matter.
Best Deep Sea Fishing Fishing Spots in Astoria
Top spots where local captains target albacore tuna and other deep sea fishing species.
Astoria Canyon
Astoria Canyon is a deep submarine canyon offshore of the Columbia River mouth where nutrient-rich upwelling attracts albacore tuna during their late-summer migration along the Pacific coast. Blue sharks and thresher sharks also patrol the canyon edges during warm-water months.
Bald Eagle Bank
Bald Eagle Bank is an offshore fishing ground approximately 20 miles west of the Columbia River mouth where underwater structure concentrates Pacific halibut, lingcod, and rockfish over hard bottom. Charter boats from Astoria target the bank during the Pacific halibut open season for quality flatfish.
Perpetua Bank
Perpetua Bank is a productive offshore fishing area west of Astoria where shallow underwater ridges rise from the surrounding deep water, concentrating king salmon during their coastal migration. Trolling with downriggers over the bank produces quality Chinook salmon from spring through fall.
Columbia River Plume
The Columbia River plume extends miles offshore where the river's massive freshwater discharge meets the Pacific, creating a nutrient-rich boundary that attracts albacore tuna, coho salmon, and Chinook salmon. Trolling the plume's color changes and temperature breaks produces quality catches during summer.
Other Species in Astoria
More fish you can target while visiting Astoria.
Albacore Tuna Fishing in Astoria — FAQ
The peak months for Albacore Tuna fishing in Astoria are September. During these months, Albacore Tuna are most active and abundant in the Astoria area.
Albacore Tuna fishing charters in Astoria are typically deep sea fishing trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Trolling cedar plugs, feather jigs, and Rapalas at 6-8 knots to locate schools, then switching to stop-and-chum with live anchovies or bait chunks is the classic West Coast albacore technique. Once a school is located, casting swimbaits, iron jigs (Salas, Tady), or fly fishing with heavy streamers into the feeding fish produces fast action. "Run and gun" — trolling between temperature breaks until fish are found, then stopping to fish with bait — is the most efficient approach.
No — when you book a charter in Astoria, your captain provides all required Oregon fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Albacore Tuna regulations in Oregon include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Albacore Tuna in Astoria, you may also catch Rockfish, Chinook Salmon, Lingcod, Dungeness Crab, Pacific Halibut. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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