Promising Fishing off Oregon's Coast Despite Challenging Weather

As of October 17, 2024, the fishing scene in the Pacific Ocean off Oregon's coast is looking promising, despite some challenging weather conditions.

### Tidal and Weather Report
Today, the tide is expected to be high at around 10:30 AM and low at 4:30 PM, which is crucial for salmon fishing in the estuaries. The weather forecast indicates partly cloudy skies with a moderate breeze, making it a decent day to be out on the water. Sunrise is at 7:33 AM, and sunset will be at 6:04 PM.

### Fish Activity
Ocean salmon fishing remains active, particularly shoreward of the 40-fathom line from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain, where Chinook salmon fishing is open through October 31. However, coho salmon retention is currently closed in this area.

Yesterday, anglers reported catching Chinook salmon, especially during the high tide periods. The catch rate was moderate, with an average of about 0.35 salmon per angler, with the highest rate seen in Garibaldi.

### Types and Amounts of Fish
Chinook salmon are the main target in the ocean waters right now. In the Buoy 10 area and lower Columbia River, anglers have been catching both Chinook and coho, although coho retention is restricted to certain days and areas.

### Best Lures and Bait
For salmon, trolling anchovies and flashers is highly effective, especially in the estuaries and near the harbor entrances. In the Buoy 10 area, using fin-clipped coho or hatchery-marked Chinook with lures like spinners or plugs can yield good results. For those targeting surfperch along the ocean beaches, sand shrimp, mole crabs, or artificial sand worms are recommended.

### Hot Spots
- **Garibaldi**: Known for its consistent salmon catches, especially during high tide.
- **Buoy 10 Area**: This region is hot for both Chinook and coho salmon, particularly on incoming tides.
- **Horsfall Beach and Bullards Beach**: These areas are good for surfperch fishing when the ocean swells are calmer.

Remember to always check the latest regulations and ensure you have the necessary fishing licenses and tags before heading out. Enjoy your day on the water