Distance does vary from year to year, the closest I have caught them was 17 miles out from the mouth fo the Columbia that was the last elnino year we had but most years you can find them 35 to 45 miles out from Westport by the end of July. If you look at a chart from the Westport area you will notice a canyon edge at about that distance usually we work the edges of the canyon as albacore have a tendency to stack up and work these edges since the upwelling of bait and sea life in general seem to stack on the edges once you get out there you will always see either charters otr commercial trollers working the area that there will be tuna in, the key usually is early morning and late nite bites same as salmon, if you fish live bait sometimes it will last a little longer> email me if you really need any particular information I know most of the answers to any tuna questions!!!PEACE.