Saturday, July 18
Sunny, Wind 3-6 mph N
Water Temp: 58.7°F
6:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Large Ebb (Outgoing) with Low Tide at 11:13 AM
Locations
Shipwreck, Astoria Bridge
Gear & Technique
Stuffed lures with weights/divers for mid-to-deep column control.
Target Species
Both
Rationale
Similar to yesterday, a massive 8.85 ft ebb pushes fish aggressively downstream. Bait washes out too quickly in this flow; stuffed lures provide necessary durability to track migrating Chinook and Coho downwards toward the bridge.
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Low Slack (Low Tide at 11:13 AM)
Locations
Baker Bay, Chinook area
Gear & Technique
Bait (anchovy/herring) or stuffed lure; very slow troll tight to the bottom.
Target Species
Chinook
Rationale
As the massive ebb stalls, Chinook will rest and stack near the mouth (Baker Bay/Chinook). At an optimal 58.7°F, they are highly receptive to natural bait presentations slowly trolled along the bottom contour.
12:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Large Flood (Incoming) with High Tide at 5:39 PM
Locations
Buoy 10, Church Hole, Tongue Point
Gear & Technique
Stuffed lures (SpinFish w/scent) and 360 flashers. Consider running a mixed spread (2 deep, 2 shallow) using divers.
Target Species
Both
Rationale
A large 8.91 ft flood tide moves fish swiftly up the estuary. The SOP dictates using durable stuffed lures to match the speed and aggression of traveling salmon. We will start low and follow the fish upriver, migrating toward Tongue Point as the afternoon progresses.
4:00 PM - 6:30 PM
High Slack (High Tide at 5:39 PM)
Locations
Astoria Bridge, Checkerboard
Gear & Technique
Bait or stuffed lure; slow troll.
Target Species
Chinook
Rationale
The incoming push loses momentum, initiating a peak bite at High Slack. With temperatures sitting nicely in the optimal range, Chinook are more likely to strike natural bait or slower-moving stuffed lures as they temporarily settle near structure like the Astoria Bridge.
