Tuna Fishing in Oregon

By 1910, the canning of Bumble Bee Tuna began in Astoria, Oregon by the Columbia River Packers Association (CRPA). By the 1950s, Bumble Bee Tuna was a leading West Coast brand filling many sandwiches and satisfying many stomachs. During the 1960's, though, tuna fishing off the Oregon coast declined and Bumble Bee Tuna was sourced from other waters, even as far as the Caribbean. Yet, while tuna fished commercially for the famous Bumble Bee brand officially ceased in Oregon in 1984, Oregon tuna fishing is still a viable recreational activity.

  1. Introduction

    • According to Garibaldi Charters, albacore tuna are commonly caught about 40 to 50 miles off-shore from mid-July to early-August. At the same time, "Sport Fishing" magazine adds that some albacore have been caught in recent years just 2.5 miles from the coast, with two parts to the fishing season: a troll fishery lasting from mid-June to mid-August, and a "run-and-gun" fishery from mid-August through October. Reeling in an albacore requires vitality and poses a challenge attractive to many fishermen.

    Popularity

    • Due to declines in salmon stocks and tougher restrictions on salmon fishing off the Oregon coast, anglers look for compensation. The result is a surge in the number of anglers fishing for tuna, buffeted even more by those with larger boats capable of going further out to sea.

    Specifics

    • A good water temperature promoting a good catch is said to be between 58.5 and 62 degrees. In mid to late-August, the albacore switch from a diet of krill and squid to a diet of small bait fish, mainly anchovies. The fish may also move closer to shore during this time, bringing the tuna to the anglers instead of the anglers going to them.

    Extras

    • While the adventure of fishing for albacore and maneuvering a boat along the Oregon coast and out to sea may be enough excitement for many, an additional feature of experiencing tuna fishing in Oregon is the visual beauty. Make Mazur, of "Sport Fishing" magazine, believes the best part is watching the tuna circle the boat, gracefully embracing the water as perhaps one of the sleekest fish in the Pacific Ocean.

    Humanity

    • The Oregon Tuna Classic is a humanitarian effort using tuna fishing as a means of fighting hunger. It began when fisherman Bud Hosner found himself giving the fruitage of his catch to friends who had more than enough, while others unknown to him lived without enough. In 2005, a small group of fisherman joined Hosner in creating a tuna fishing tournament where all of what was caught would be given to the Oregon Food Bank. Since then, more than 44,300 pounds of tuna and $103,000 have been donated to the food bank.