Northwest Oregon's July focus is offshore ocean coho with Chinook mixed in, running 1 to 7 miles out with flashers, hoochies, and various lures and baits. Capt. David Johnson still has late spring Chinook in Tillamook Bay as a wind backup. Coastal cutthroat, catch-and-release sturgeon on the Columbia, and halibut round it out, with albacore tuna still about 100 miles out.
What is biting in Northwest Oregon right now?
Ocean coho with some Chinook mixed in is the main focus, fished 1 to 7 miles offshore. Capt. David Johnson is also still catching late spring Chinook out of Tillamook Bay. Coastal cutthroat, halibut, and catch-and-release sturgeon on the Columbia are all available too.
Where are the salmon holding off Northwest Oregon?
Offshore, usually 1 to 7 miles out for the coho and mixed Chinook. That ocean fishery is dictated by wind, so when David gets blown off he has a backup fishing inside Tillamook Bay for the springers. He follows the wind and the fish.
What are anglers using off Northwest Oregon?
For the offshore coho and Chinook, flashers with various lures and baits, including hoochies. Inside the bay he targets the late springers. Guys also run bottom-fish and halibut trips. No specific Catch America product was named in this report.
What about tuna and other species?
Albacore tuna are just starting to get close but average about 100 miles out. When they push into the 30 to 40 mile range, sport anglers start getting albacore. There is also excellent catch-and-release sturgeon fishing on the Columbia River and fun coastal cutthroat.
What is the outlook for Northwest Oregon?
Ocean coho is the main play, with spring Chinook as the plan B when wind allows, plus cutthroat for fun. David plans more on the cutthroat later. Halibut and eventually albacore add to the July and summer mix along the coast.
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Northwest Oregon July 2026 FAQ
Ocean coho with Chinook mixed in, 1 to 7 miles offshore.
Yes, late spring Chinook are still being caught inside Tillamook Bay as a wind backup.
On average about 100 miles out, with sport anglers getting them once they push to 30 to 40 miles.
Coastal cutthroat, halibut and bottom fish, and catch-and-release sturgeon on the Columbia River.
Flashers with various lures and baits, including hoochies.
Capt. David Johnson, a Catch America pro-staff captain.
