Pacific bluefin tuna fishing out of Ilwaco runs July through October, on the same offshore trips that target albacore tuna. The published information is thin: a season, an offshore run, and one named structure, Astoria Canyon. This page covers when, where, how, and who, so you can plan the run yourself.
| Item | Ilwaco |
|---|---|
| Season | July to October |
| Run | Offshore |
| Named structure | Astoria Canyon |
When bluefin are off Ilwaco
The window is July through October, shared with albacore tuna, and that shapes how you plan.
July to October
Legendz’ offshore albacore and bluefin trips run July to October. The published information doesn’t support a month-by-month breakdown, so this page doesn’t offer one.
Same window as albacore
Bluefin share the albacore window here because the trips that target them are the same trips. For how the fish behave beyond this port, see the Pacific bluefin species guide. For the coast-wide picture, see the Pacific Northwest bluefin guide (see also the wider Pacific Northwest guide).
Where boats run from Ilwaco
Little is published about where boats go, so the run is your decision. For the bar crossing, ramps, and conditions at the port, see the Ilwaco port page.
Offshore, no named grounds
Trips here are advertised as offshore. They don’t name a canyon, edge, or mileage, so set the run distance from what you see on the water rather than from a published number.
Astoria Canyon
Astoria Canyon is the named structure near Ilwaco. No distance or depth is attached to these trips, so plot it yourself on Chart Contours.
Before you commit fuel to the run, set Astoria Canyon on Chart Contours against OBS SST, and read Chlorophyll alongside OBS SST to judge water color. Cloud can block a satellite pass, so check how fresh the image is before you trust it. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Reading conditions before the run
Check wind in knots and wave height and period in feet and seconds. Pull the official marine forecast and official NOAA buoy observations for the numbers. Bar crossing and ramp details are on the Ilwaco port page above.
How bluefin are fished out of Ilwaco
Bluefin fishing out of Ilwaco isn’t a stand-alone trip. It rides on the offshore albacore effort.
Offshore albacore and bluefin trips
The local method is offshore trips for albacore and bluefin together. For tackle and technique, see our tuna fishing guides.
The club pelagic side pot
Bluefin count in the local club’s pelagic side pot.
Who fishes for bluefin out of Ilwaco
Two groups work this fishery from the port.
Legendz
Legendz, listed in the Port of Ilwaco business guide, runs offshore albacore and bluefin trips July through October.
Private boats and club anglers
Private boats run the same offshore albacore and bluefin window. Club anglers fish bluefin toward the pelagic side pot.
FAQ: bluefin tuna out of Ilwaco
When is the season for Pacific bluefin tuna fishing out of Ilwaco?
July to October, per Legendz’ offshore albacore and bluefin trips.
Do Ilwaco boats target bluefin alone?
No. Bluefin are fished on offshore trips that also target albacore.
Where is the structure near Ilwaco?
Astoria Canyon is the named structure. Trips publish no distance or depth to it, so plot it on Chart Contours.
Do bluefin count in the club pot?
Yes. Bluefin count in the local club’s pelagic side pot.
Where are the bag limits?
On WDFW’s pages and the Washington regulations page. Federal rules apply offshore. Check the official marine forecast and buoy data before you run.
