Albacore tuna fishing out of Newport means a long run into warm blue water, and the fleet follows that water wherever it sits. This guide covers when the fish show up off Newport and Yaquina Bay, how far boats run, how the fleet fishes them, and who runs trips.
When albacore are off Newport
Albacore arrive when warm water does, and the fleet leaves when it goes.
The season window
Three local operators publish slightly different windows.
| Operator | Season window |
|---|---|
| Newfin Charters | Mid-July to late September |
| Yaquina Bay Charters | July to September |
| Lance Fisher Fishing | Late July through September |
All three windows close in September; the start varies by operator. For species biology and migration, see the albacore species guide.
Why it moves
Newfin ties its window to "water temperature and distance." Warm water arrives on its own schedule, so the start date is a range rather than a firm date. Where the edge of that water sits in a given year sets both the first trips and the length of the run. For the wider region, see the coastwide Pacific Northwest picture (see also the wider Pacific Northwest guide).
How far boats run
Warm water determines run distance, and run distance determines trip length. The grounds near the bar are landmarks on the way out, not the destination.
Distance and trip length
Yaquina Bay Charters albacore trips run up to 50 miles offshore on 12-hour dock-to-dock days, 6am to 6pm. Newfin Charters tuna trips run 18 hours. These make useful benchmarks when planning your own trip, which comes down to two numbers: miles out and hours away from the dock.
Following warm water
Run distance depends on where the warm blue water sits in a given year, not on a fixed spot. The fleet checks sea surface temperature before running.
Grounds inside the run
These bottomfish and reference grounds sit well inside albacore water, and the fleet runs past them toward warm blue water.
- Stonewall Bank (the Rock Pile): about 15 miles west of Newport, per the ODFW Newport grounds map.
- Banana Bank, West Lighthouse, North Rockpile and Chicken Ranch: local reference grounds.
- Nearshore inner reefs: unnamed reefs close to the beach.
- Offshore rockfish and lingcod grounds: deep water about 10 to 15 miles from shore.
How albacore are fished here
Local boats troll and jig, take handlines on request, and schedule their time around the bite windows.
Trolling and jigging
Newfin generally trolls and jigs with sport rods.
Handlines
Newfin takes handlines on request.
Morning and evening bites
Newfin schedules its time on the grounds around the morning and evening bite windows, which is part of why its trips run 18 hours against 12 at Yaquina Bay Charters. If you run your own boat, plan your hours around both windows as well as the run itself.
Who fishes albacore out of Newport
These operators list albacore from Yaquina Bay, and their trip specs are useful benchmarks for your own run. For more, see the tuna charters and guides hub.
- Yaquina Bay Charters (with Newport Marina Store)
- Newfin Charters: the Bluefin
- Good Time Charlie Sportfishing: reports credited to Joe Schaumburg
- Newport Tradewinds Deep-Sea Fishing
- Patriot Fishing
- Lance Fisher Fishing: the 34 ft Legion’s Mercy (Venture) and the 25 ft Willie Raptor
FAQ
When is albacore season in Newport?
Albacore tuna fishing out of Newport runs mid-July to late September for Newfin, July to September for Yaquina Bay Charters, and late July through September for Lance Fisher. Newfin notes the window depends on water temperature and distance.
How far out do Newport boats go?
Yaquina Bay Charters runs up to 50 miles offshore. The fleet follows warm water, so distance changes with where that water sits.
How long is a Newport albacore trip?
Yaquina Bay Charters runs 12 hours dock to dock, 6am to 6pm. Newfin runs 18 hours.
Do albacore hold on Stonewall Bank?
Stonewall Bank, the Rock Pile, about 15 miles west, is a bottomfish and reference ground well inside albacore water. The fleet runs past it to warm blue water.
What methods does the fleet use?
Newfin generally trolls and jigs with sport rods, takes handlines on request, and schedules time for the morning and evening bites.
Which charters run albacore from Newport?
Yaquina Bay Charters, Newfin Charters, Good Time Charlie Sportfishing, Newport Tradewinds Deep-Sea Fishing, Patriot Fishing and Lance Fisher Fishing.
