Oregon · Northern Oregon Coast
ALBACORE TUNA FISHING
IN DEPOE BAY
Depoe Bay 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 Depoe Bay
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 — Depoe Bay
Month-by-month availability for albacore tuna in Depoe Bay, OR.
How to Catch Albacore Tuna in Depoe Bay
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 Depoe Bay
Top spots where local captains target albacore tuna and other deep sea fishing species.
Stonewall Bank
Stonewall Bank is one of Oregon's premier offshore fishing destinations, a massive rocky reef complex roughly 20 miles offshore where lingcod, Pacific halibut, yelloweye rockfish, and canary rockfish concentrate in extraordinary numbers over hard bottom pinnacles.
Siletz Reef
Siletz Reef is an offshore rocky structure between Depoe Bay and Newport where lingcod and rockfish concentrate over hard bottom in 150 to 250 feet of water. The reef's position along the mid-coast shelf provides reliable bottom-fishing for charter boats from Depoe Bay.
Depoe Bay Salmon Grounds
The deep water offshore of Depoe Bay holds Chinook salmon and coho salmon during their coastal migration, with trolling at 100 to 300 feet producing consistent catches from May through September. Depoe Bay's charter fleet is renowned for productive salmon fishing due to the short run to trolling lanes.
The 40-Line
The 40-fathom line offshore of Depoe Bay marks a depth transition where the continental shelf begins to steepen, concentrating albacore tuna during their late-summer migration into Oregon waters. Trolling jigs and feathers along the 40-fathom contour produces exciting albacore action.
Other Species in Depoe Bay
More fish you can target while visiting Depoe Bay.
Albacore Tuna Fishing in Depoe Bay — FAQ
The peak months for Albacore Tuna fishing in Depoe Bay are September. During these months, Albacore Tuna are most active and abundant in the Depoe Bay area.
Albacore Tuna fishing charters in Depoe Bay 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 Depoe Bay, 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 Depoe Bay, you may also catch Rockfish, Lingcod, Chinook Salmon, Dungeness Crab, Pacific Halibut. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
Ready to Catch Albacore Tuna in Depoe Bay?
Compare verified charter captains, check availability, and book your albacore tuna fishing trip today.
Get Charter Quotes