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Expert-Guided Salmon Fishing in Rogue Bay, Oregon
- Published Date: July 16, 2025
- Fishing
- Grants Pass,OR
- $350 - $1,000 price range
- Updated Date: October 6, 2025
Summary
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Rogue River Catches
Experience the Rogue difference.
Rivers full of opportunity.
Perfect day for a catch.
Beginners welcome, pros challenged.
Reel in adventure on the Rogue River.
Salmon fishing at its best.
Cast into Rogue River waters.
Angler’s paradise found.
Hook, line, and Rogue River fun.
Your next catch is here.
Experience the Rogue difference.
Rivers full of opportunity.
Perfect day for a catch.
Beginners welcome, pros challenged.
Reel in adventure on the Rogue River.
Salmon fishing at its best.
Cast into Rogue River waters.
Angler’s paradise found.
Hook, line, and Rogue River fun.
Your next catch is here.
Experience the Rogue difference.
Rivers full of opportunity.
Perfect day for a catch.
Beginners welcome, pros challenged.
Reel in King Salmon on Oregon's Rogue Bay
Get ready for a day of serious salmon action on the famous Rogue Bay. Captain TJ Cornelison knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on the fish. From July to October, the bay comes alive with hard-fighting Chinook and silver-bright coho salmon. This full-day trip gives you plenty of time to perfect your technique and land that trophy catch. Whether you're a seasoned pro or it's your first time holding a rod, Cap'n TJ's got you covered with all the tips and tricks you need. The Rogue's stunning coastal scenery is the cherry on top of an already epic day on the water.
What to Expect on the Water
We'll meet up bright and early at the Rogue Bay marina, where Cap'n TJ will have the boat prepped and ready to go. After a quick safety briefing, we'll head out to where the salmon are biting. The Rogue Bay is known for its calm waters, making it perfect for trolling. We'll set up our lines with the hottest lures and bait, then start covering water. Keep your eyes peeled for jumping salmon – it's a sure sign we're in the right spot. TJ's always watching the sonar and adjusting our tactics to match what the fish want that day. When a rod goes off, it's all hands on deck! These Rogue River kings put up one heck of a fight, so be ready for some serious action. Between catches, soak in the gorgeous Oregon coastline and maybe spot some wildlife like seals or eagles.
Trolling Tactics & Top Gear
On this trip, we'll be using a mix of trolling techniques to target salmon. Cap'n TJ's favorite method is using downriggers to get our lures down to where the big boys are hanging out. We'll be running a combo of cut-plug herring, spinners, and maybe even some hoochies if the bite is hot. The captain provides all the top-notch gear you need, including G.Loomis rods paired with smooth Shimano reels. Don't worry if you're new to this style of fishing – TJ will walk you through every step, from setting the depth on the downriggers to the perfect way to work a spinner. By the end of the day, you'll be trolling like a pro. Just remember to keep your line tight and be ready for that heart-pounding moment when a chunky Chinook slams your bait!
Species You'll Want to Hook
Chinook Salmon: Also known as king salmon, these are the heavyweight champs of the Rogue. Chinooks in this area typically range from 15 to 40 pounds, with some monsters pushing 50+. They're famous for their deep, powerful runs and acrobatic jumps. The best time to target these brutes is from late July through September when they're staging at the mouth of the bay before their upriver journey. Hooking into a Rogue River king is an experience you won't forget – their strength will test both your gear and your arms!
Coho Salmon: Don't let their smaller size fool you – coho (or silver) salmon are pound-for-pound some of the feistiest fish in the river. Averaging 6 to 12 pounds, these acrobatic fighters will have your reel screaming. Coho start showing up in good numbers from August through October. They're known for their wild, unpredictable fights and tendency to throw hooks with their crazy head shakes. Landing a bright silver coho is always a thrill, and they make for some of the best eating around.
Steelhead Trout: While we're primarily targeting salmon, don't be surprised if we hook into a sea-run rainbow trout, better known as steelhead. These chrome-bright beauties typically range from 5 to 15 pounds and are prized for their acrobatic fights. Steelhead can be caught year-round in the Rogue, but summer and fall runs often coincide with our salmon season. They're lightning fast, known for their spectacular aerial displays, and considered by many to be the ultimate game fish. Landing a steelhead is always a special moment on any Rogue River trip.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
The Rogue Bay isn't just another fishing spot – it's a salmon angler's paradise. The combination of stunning scenery, consistent action, and the chance at truly trophy-sized fish keeps folks coming back year after year. Cap'n TJ's local knowledge means you're not just fishing, you're getting an insider's look at one of Oregon's top salmon runs. The bay's sheltered waters make for a comfortable day on the water, even when the ocean's acting up. And let's be honest – there's nothing quite like the rush of battling a 30+ pound king salmon as it tries to smoke your reel. Whether you're looking to fill the freezer or just want to experience world-class salmon fishing, a day on the Rogue with Cornelison's Guided Fishing is hard to beat.
Time to Book Your Spot
Don't miss your chance to get in on some of the best salmon fishing the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Cap'n TJ's calendar fills up fast, especially during peak season from August to September. This full-day trip gives you the best shot at landing that fish of a lifetime, all while soaking in the natural beauty of the Oregon coast. Whether you're a die-hard salmon chaser or looking to cross king salmon off your bucket list, this Rogue Bay adventure delivers the goods. Bring your camera, your sense of adventure, and get ready for some serious rod-bending action. Book your spot now and get ready to make some lasting memories on the legendary Rogue River!
Learn more about the species
Chinook Salmon
Chinook salmon, also known as kings, are the heavyweights of the salmon world. These bruisers typically run 15-30 pounds but can top 50 in the right conditions. You'll find them hanging out in deeper holes and channels, especially where rivers meet the bay. Late summer through fall is prime time, when they're staging to run upriver. Kings are prized for their hard-fighting spirit - expect some epic battles and screaming reels. Their rich, fatty meat is considered top-tier eating too. When you're after kings, go deep and slow. I like to troll with cut-plug herring near the bottom, especially on cloudy days. Just be ready to hang on tight when one of these monsters decides to take your bait!
Coho Salmon
Coho, or silvers, are the acrobats of the salmon family. These 8-12 pound fish are known for their spectacular leaps and runs. You'll often spot them in shallower riffles and pools, especially near creek mouths and estuaries. Fall is the sweet spot for coho fishing, as they start moving into freshwater. Anglers love targeting silvers for their aggressive strikes and aerial displays - it's like hooking a stick of dynamite sometimes. Their bright orange flesh is milder than king salmon but still makes for excellent table fare. If you're after cohos, try swinging bright flies or spinners through likely holding water. My go-to trick is twitching a pink jig under a float - gets 'em every time when they're being finicky.
Steelhead Trout
Steelhead are the sea-run cousins of rainbow trout, typically weighing in at 5-15 pounds. These chrome-bright fighters are found in coastal rivers and streams, often holding in deeper pools and runs. Winter and early spring are prime steelhead seasons here on the Rogue, though we get some summer-runs too. Anglers chase steelies for their legendary fight - pound for pound, they're some of the hardest-pulling fish out there. They're also beautiful fish, with their silvery sides and pink cheek slash. Steelhead can be notoriously picky, so presentation is key. I like to drift small, natural-looking nymphs or egg patterns through likely holds. If you really want to up your game, try swinging flies on a spey rod - there's nothing quite like feeling that grab on the swing!
