Fish and Crab Combo Trips in Newport, Oregon

A fish and crab combo charter Newport Oregon adventure will give you a full taste of the Pacific as you combine nearshore reef fishing and fresh Dungeness crabbing in one trip. Captain Don Koskela has been fishing in Oregon waters his whole life and has been running guided trips for over 15 years. I recently bought Newport Oregon Fishing Charters to run as a true captain owned and operated guide service not as a third-party booking middleman. In this guide you will find out how our combo trips run from dock to dock and what you will experience aboard my boat.

Can you fish and crab on the same charter in Newport, Oregon?

Yes, you can easily fish for bottom species and pull crab pots on the same exact charter out of Newport Oregon. We set heavy crab gear on our way out of Yaquina Bay and then go to the nearshore reefs for rockfish and lingcod, picking up the pots on our way home.
Weather is everything when fishing the Oregon Coast and this itinerary takes advantage of every minute on the water. You are actively fishing, dropping jigs and pulling fish off rocky structure, while our crab pots rest on the sandy bottom collecting sweet ocean crab. This is the most productive and satisfying way to fill your cooler with a variety of fresh seafood.

Captain Don’s quick take

Our crabbing and bottom fishing charter is our most popular trip by far. You get fast-paced rod bending over the reefs. You get the excitement of pulling full rings of Dungeness crab up from the deep. And you go home with delicious white fillets and a whole Dungeness crab for dinner.

How does dropping and pulling crab pots work on a combo trip?

On the outbound run, we set baited commercial-style gear in sandy ocean zones or inside Yaquina Bay, then allow it to soak while we fish, then haul it back aboard on our return. We set our marked buoys just outside the jetties, giving the bait several hours to attract the active crabs.
As a guide, I’m always watching the ocean, the weather and the bite, including the tidal push that gets crabs moving. We use fresh bait that leaves a strong scent trail on the bottom. At the end of our bottom fishing drift we motor back to our buoy markers, haul the lines and measure every crab to see if it is a legal size and sex and keep the prime goalkeepers.

How does nearshore bottom fishing for rockfish and lingcod work?

Nearshore bottom fishing is when you drift over rocky pinnacles and reefs a few miles offshore and drop down a leadhead jig, swimbait, or twin-hook dropper rig to fish that are feeding. The reefs are filled with dense schools of black rockfish, blue rockfish, canary rockfish and toothy lingcod that attack moving hardware with vengeance.
I have fished these waters for years, mapping reefs from Newport to Depoe Bay. Because nearshore depths are relatively shallow, we don’t need heavy deep-sea gear. The light rods make you feel every tap and headshake. The action is generally steady and visual, keeping everyone on deck busy from the first drift.

Why is a Newport combo fishing trip ideal for families and beginners?

Ideal for families and first-time anglers, a Newport combo fishing trip is a great way to experience the reefs with a short travel time, easy fishing techniques to learn, and a variety of species to keep guests of all ages entertained. Unlike an offshore game hunt, there are no long hours of waiting for a single bite.
One thing I always tell people is bottom fishing builds fast confidence. Kids and new fishers soon learn how to let their line drop and reel in fish that are still alive. At the end, pulling the crab pots adds a fun treasure-chest surprise that young anglers talk about for the rest of their vacation.

What should you expect on a Newport Oregon Fishing Charters trip?

With Newport Oregon Fishing Charters you can expect a personal, hands-on guided fishing trip, run by myself and my dedicated crew. We are a real guide service, fishing directly with local pros who know these waters, not some random boat assigned by a booking agency.
Once we get out of the dock, I go over safety gear, ocean swell reports and our daily itinerary. I teach you the correct jigging technique, do the baiting and help net your fish while you are out on the water. When the ocean kicks up or we get a big wind blowing through, I move our fishing zones to keep the boat stable, safe and comfortable for everyone on board.

What should you bring on your Newport fishing charter?

Warm Layers, a rain jacket and pants, rubber soled shoes, snacks, drinks, sunglasses, and Sunscreen should be brought. You’ll also need an Oregon angling license and an Oregon shellfish license for every member of your party that wants to keep some shellfish.

Coastal fog can be as cold as it gets in the morning but also dissipates in the heat of the day, so layers are important for keeping you comfortable from morning until night. If you are prone to getting seasick, take prior preventive medicine on board. Licensing regulations, shellfish safety rules, daily limits and other state regulations may vary; please check the latest Oregon fishing and crabbing rules before heading out to the beach in the morning.

Why book with Captain Don and Newport Oregon Fishing Charters?

Book with Newport Oregon Fishing Charters, as you are getting a local group that is supported by my 15+ years of experience professionally fishing the Pacific Northwest. All our equipment is of the highest quality; our boats are clean and our service personal because I am the owner and operator.

If you’re coming out of Newport, it’s my job to make sure you have a great, hands-on day on the Pacific Ocean, in an honest way. From rock fishing by the kelp to crab fishing to open ocean drifting, we treat you as family and teach you skills to help you be a better angler.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need experience to book a Newport Oregon fishing charter?

No, you don’t require any experience to join us. I instruct novice, families and experienced anglers on how to safely drop lines, feeling the bite, and reel in bottom fish.

How long does a half day fishing charter Newport combo trip last?

A typical fish and crab combination outing takes about five hours and does not require the whole day at sea to set pots, drift the reefs and retrieve the crab gear.

Can we keep both fish and crab on the same charter?

Yes, it is possible to keep both fish and crab, provided they are legal size and legal bag for each species, according to the state’s wildlife officials.

What happens to our catch once we return to the dock?

We are in the marina cleaning tables, preparing your rockfish and lingcod for your cooler, and assisting you in sorting your legal Dungeness crab.

Is crabbing open year-round out of Newport?

State agencies coordinate and monitor ocean and bay crabbing seasons and manage and monitor marine biotoxin health advisories. Before crab pots are dropped, we always check the crabbing grounds for open and safe access.

What if the ocean conditions are too rough to cross the bar?

Everyone’s safety is first on all trips. When the weather is not ideal in the bay, due to the roughness of the bar in Yaquina Bay, or offshore swells in Yaquina Bay, will be evaluating the situation, and may consider fishing in a more sheltered area or rescheduling for another day.

Ready to book your Newport Oregon fishing trip?

The perfect combination of fish and crab charters in Newport Oregon offers the best of active reef fishing and a great ocean catch. Spring, summer and fall are busy times for prime morning tide slots. Contact Newport Oregon Fishing Charters today to make your appointment to go fishing with Captain Don and the crew.