What is Bottom Fishing?
Affordable & Beginner-Friendly Bottom Fishing in Newport, Oregon
If you’ve never been deep sea fishing before, bottom fishing — also called rockfishing — is one of the best ways to get started. It’s affordable, beginner-friendly, action-packed, and one of the tastiest fisheries on the Oregon Coast. At Yaquina Bay Charters, we specialize in helping first-time anglers, families, and experienced fishermen alike enjoy a fun and productive day on the water out of beautiful Newport.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing family outing or a cooler full of fresh fish for dinner, bottom fishing offers an unforgettable experience for all ages.
What Is Bottom Fishing?
Bottom fishing, often called rockfishing, is a type of deep sea fishing where anglers target fish that live near reefs, rocky structures, and the ocean floor. These areas are full of marine life and provide excellent opportunities to catch a variety of species throughout the year.
Unlike some types of fishing that require lots of experience or specialized techniques, rockfishing is very beginner-friendly. Our crew provides everything you need, including all bait and tackle, and our experienced captains and deckhands are there every step of the way to help you catch fish.
At Yaquina Bay Charters, every trip includes two experienced crew members onboard to assist guests with baiting hooks, untangling lines, identifying fish species, and helping land your catch. If you’ve never fished before, don’t worry — we make it easy and fun.
What Kind of Fish Do We Catch?
In Oregon, sport and commercial fishermen commonly catch over 25 different species of rockfish, and there are at least 13 additional species out there that are rarely caught. There are three varieties of rockfish depending on the depth and structure you are fishing:
The Nearshore rockfish are what a Half Day Nearshore Rockfish Charter will target, and Shelf and Slope rockfish species are targeted during Full Day Offshore Rockfish Charters and Full Day Offshore Long Leader Rockfish Charters.
The large variety of fish species you can catch in a single trip makes it exciting knowing you might pull up a species you haven’t seen before. Common species caught on half day charters include:
- Black rockfish
- Blue rockfish
- Canary rockfish
- Copper rockfish
- Tiger rockfish
- China rockfish
- Kelp greenling
- Cabezon
Rockfish are like the bass of the sea and are excellent for eating. Oregon regulations currently allow anglers to keep up to 4 rockfish per person, making it a great way to bring home fresh seafood for the family.
We also target lingcod, one of the most prized fish on the Pacific Coast. Lingcod are aggressive predators known for their large mouths, incredible appearance, and outstanding table quality. Their firm, white fillets are mild, flaky, and incredibly versatile for cooking. Lingcod is fantastic grilled, fried, baked, blackened, or turned into fish tacos and chowder.
Many guests are surprised by just how delicious fresh-caught rockfish and lingcod are. For many families, the fresh fish dinner after the trip becomes part of the tradition.
A Perfect Fishing Trip for Families & First-Timers
Bottom fishing is one of the most affordable deep sea fishing adventures available on the Oregon Coast. Our standard fare is just $110 per person, and we offer 50% off for kids ages 5–12, making youth tickets only $55.
That makes rockfishing an excellent option for:
- Families with kids
- First-time ocean anglers
- Vacationers visiting Newport
- Groups and friends looking for a hands-on activitiy
- Anyone looking for an affordable Oregon Coast experience
Because action is often steady throughout the trip, beginners usually get plenty of opportunities to reel in fish and build confidence quickly.
Comfortable Boats Without the Crowds
One thing that sets Yaquina Bay Charters apart is our commitment to comfort and fishing space.
Our boats range from 38 to 43 feet long and are certified to carry more than 20 passengers. However, unlike some charter operations that overcrowd boats, we intentionally limit passenger counts to the number of people we can comfortably fish at one time.
That means:
- No taking turns fishing
- Plenty of elbow room for reeling in fish
- More comfort with space to move around
- A better overall experience for everyone onboard
Our goal is to make sure every guest has space to fish comfortably and enjoys some personal attention from our crew when desired.
Experienced Captains & Friendly Crew
When you book a trip with Yaquina Bay Charters, you’re fishing with experienced professionals who genuinely enjoy helping people have a great day on the water.
Our captains combine for more than 90 years of experience fishing the Oregon Coast. That experience matters when it comes to finding productive fishing grounds, navigating ocean conditions safely, and helping guests of all skill levels succeed.
Whether it’s your first trip or your fiftieth, our friendly crew works hard to create a fun, safe, and memorable experience.
Why Bottom Fishing Is So Popular on the Oregon Coast
Bottom fishing has become one of the most popular charter trips in Newport because it combines:
- Consistent action
- Delicious fish
- Beginner-friendly fishing
- Affordable pricing
- Family fun
- Beautiful ocean scenery
Many guests come for the experience and end up making annual trips part of their family tradition.
If you’ve been curious about trying deep sea fishing but weren’t sure where to start, rockfishing is the perfect introduction.
Book Your Newport Rockfishing Trip Today
If you’re ready to experience affordable, beginner-friendly bottom fishing on the Oregon Coast, we’d love to have you aboard.
At Yaquina Bay Charters, we provide everything you need for a successful day on the water — experienced captains, helpful crew, all bait and tackle, spacious boats, and access to some of the best rockfishing grounds in Oregon.
Come see why so many families and first-time anglers choose Newport bottom fishing trips year after year.