Oregon · Southern Oregon Coast
COHO SALMON FISHING
IN COOS BAY
Coos Bay is a solid destination for coho salmon fishing, with peak season in September and good catches in August, October. Book a charter and target coho salmon with local experts.
About Coho Salmon Fishing in Coos Bay
Silver salmon are legendary fighters known for explosive surface strikes and aerial acrobatics. Coho run from midsummer through fall along the entire Pacific coast, from California's Smith River to Alaska's Kenai Peninsula. Bright chrome ocean fish are prized for both sport and table quality.
Coho Salmon — also called Silver Salmon — are prized for their aggressive surface strikes and spectacular aerial acrobatics. Averaging 8-12 pounds, they are smaller than kings but pound-for-pound are considered harder fighters. Ocean-phase coho are brilliant chrome-silver with small black spots confined to the upper lobe of the tail and the back above the lateral line. Spawning males turn deep red on the sides with a dark green head and develop a dramatic hooked jaw. Females become darker but retain more of their shape.
Scientific name: Oncorhynchus kisutch
Coho Salmon Seasonal Calendar — Coos Bay
Month-by-month availability for coho salmon in Coos Bay, OR.
How to Catch Coho Salmon in Coos Bay
Techniques & Bait
Ocean trolling with herring, hoochies (plastic squid lures), or spoons behind flashers at 15-60 feet is the primary technique. Coho often feed higher in the water column than kings, so shallower presentations work well. Casting buzz bombs, Crippled Herring spoons, and spinners into surface-feeding schools produces explosive strikes. In rivers, casting spinners (Blue Fox, Panther Martin), drifting roe under a float, or swinging flies on a sink-tip line are all effective. Coho are aggressive and respond well to fast-moving presentations.
Recommended Tackle
Ocean: 7-8'6" medium rod, level-wind or spinning reel, 15-20 lb mono or 30 lb braid. River: 8'6"-9'6" medium rod, spinning reel, 10-15 lb line, 8-12 lb fluorocarbon leader. Fly: 7-8 weight rod, sink-tip line, bright patterns (Clouser, Bunny Leech, Egg-Sucking Leech).
Best Nearshore Fishing Spots in Coos Bay
Top spots where local captains target coho salmon and other nearshore species.
Cape Arago Reefs
Cape Arago south of Charleston features dramatic rocky headlands and nearshore reefs where lingcod, black rockfish, cabezon, and greenling hold in rugged coastal structure. The cape's exposed position catches strong upwelling that supports outstanding nearshore ecosystems.
Bastendorff Beach
Bastendorff Beach near the mouth of Coos Bay offers surf-fishing for redtail surfperch, striped perch, and flatfish from a sandy beach with easy access from Charleston. The bay entrance creates productive surf zone conditions.
Sunset Bay
Sunset Bay State Park south of Charleston features a sheltered cove with rocky nearshore reefs that hold rockfish, greenling, cabezon, and surfperch in calm, protected waters. The bay's clear water and accessible rocky shoreline make it ideal for shore-based reef fishing.
Coos Bay Jetties
The rock jetties at the entrance to Coos Bay extend into the Pacific, creating nearshore structure where lingcod, rockfish, surfperch, and greenling hold along the submerged boulders. The South Jetty is the more accessible with a paved road to the base.
Other Species in Coos Bay
More fish you can target while visiting Coos Bay.
Coho Salmon Fishing in Coos Bay — FAQ
The peak months for Coho Salmon fishing in Coos Bay are September. During these months, Coho Salmon are most active and abundant in the Coos Bay area.
Coho Salmon fishing charters in Coos Bay are typically nearshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Ocean trolling with herring, hoochies (plastic squid lures), or spoons behind flashers at 15-60 feet is the primary technique. Coho often feed higher in the water column than kings, so shallower presentations work well. Casting buzz bombs, Crippled Herring spoons, and spinners into surface-feeding schools produces explosive strikes. In rivers, casting spinners (Blue Fox, Panther Martin), drifting roe under a float, or swinging flies on a sink-tip line are all effective. Coho are aggressive and respond well to fast-moving presentations.
No — when you book a charter in Coos Bay, your captain provides all required Oregon fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Coho Salmon 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 Coho Salmon in Coos Bay, 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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