Alaska Saltwater Fishing Charters
More visiting sport fishermen participate in guided fishing trips than unguided, and numerous charters offer excellent service, whether you're an angler looking for a serene river setting or a deep-sea fisherman seeking the mighty halibut.
Seasons for salmon fishing begin in May for saltwater king salmon and Kenai River kings, while sockeye, silver and pink start later in the summer. Halibut fishing generally begins in May and ends in September. Check local regulations to determine the exact start and end dates, as they are subject to change each year.
The prime areas for saltwater charters in Alaska run from the Aleutian Islands east along the Kodiak Islands, along the Kenai Peninsula and down throughout the Alaskan panhandle. Guides abound in the famous stretches of the Kenai and Copper Rivers, and halibut guides can be found in all the major cities and towns throughout the state.
Salmon and halibut charters and their guides generally fish for a specific amount of time. You hire them for 4, 6, or 8-hour trips. Some charter boats only fish one species per trip, and may spend up to six hours just traveling to and from the fishing grounds.
The techniques and gear for charter salmon fishing in Alaska is not all that different from other areas. For king salmon, a common method is to troll with cut herring imitators. A good guide will know exactly what trolling equipment and practices, such as downriggers, weights, speed and depth, work best in their respective waters. Other guides are adept at drift or power boat fishing, especially in rivers. Casting upstream and bouncing large spoon lures off the bottom while reeling in as an effective method. Once a king is on though, the fight may last up to an hour if the fisherman plays it correctly.
The best techniques for halibut fishing is generally bottom fishing, as they are typically found near the bottom of sand or gravel banks in depths up to 900 feet. The range of depths they can be caught ranges based on the time of year, as fall spawning occurs in deep areas far from shore but summer finds them closer to shore in shallower waters. Halibut are so big that very strong tackle is a necessity. A six-foot rod with as much as 300 yards of 80-pound test line is a typical gear setup. Herring is the most commonly used bait, with salmon pieces another option. Strong weights are needed to get them to the bottom. Landing a halibut is a unique experience. Some are small enough to be lifted on board with gaffs and killed with a few sharp hits behind the eyes. A pistol shot to the brain of the large halibut will be necessary to finish them off.
The following list includes examples of Alaska salt and fresh water charter fishing businesses. Besides the Alaska fishing charter businesses listed here, many Alaska lodges offer on-site guide services.
Alaska Deep Sea Adventures
Black Rock Charters
Fishing Bear Charters
Inlet Charters
SE Alaska Outdoor Adventures
Semaka Charters
Alaska Good-Time Charters
Alaska Kingfishers
Alaska Trophy Safaris
Denny's Guide Service
Fred Sorensen's Alaska Hunting and Fishing Adventures