Fishing in Alaska is unique, so you no doubt have tons of questions. Hopefully we can answer a few of those for you.
How can I save money on Airfare?
Alaska Airlines has a great rewards program which includes free companion fare ticket. If you sign up for the Bank of America Alaska Airlines credit card, you will get a companion fare voucher. The voucher allows you to get a second “companion” fare ticket for only $99. In addition, they will give you 25,000 miles when you open the account, which is enough for a round trip ticket from almost anywhere in the US to Ketchikan. If you are traveling with family, this card can pay for two full fares to Alaska. Everyone in my family uses this program as it is by far the best way to save money and still enjoy an incredible trip to Alaska.
Will I have time to see town?
If you are arriving in town on a cruise ship, a fishing charter will use up most of your time in Ketchikan. Cruise ships stay in port anywhere from 3 to 14 hours. You need to check your itinerary to find out exactly how long you will be docked. As long as the stay is more than 4 hours, you will have time for a charter. If you are in town more than 6 hours, you will have time to fish and take a quick tour. If you are flying into town, we will work with you to make sure you have plenty of time to go fishing and see the highlights in town. Give us a call and we help coordinate the trip of a lifetime.
What kind of weather will I need to dress for?
Ketchikan’s summer weather is predictably unpredictable. While always beautiful, Ketchikan is in the middle of a rainforest, and the climate is famously temperate. Plan on temperatures from the 50s up to the 80s. Dress in layers so you can change with the weather. A long sleeve base layer with a sweater or hoodie is a good start. Then, of course, you will want to bring along your rain gear: both top and bottom. We have raincoats and pants available, but for the best comfort, you will want to be prepared with your own gear. We also strongly encourage you to wear synthetic or wool layers on the boat. Cotton retains water and keeps you cold. Wool or synthetics like fleece, capilene, or polypro wick moisture away and can keep you warm even when wet.
What happens to the fish we catch?
Catching world-class salmon is only half the benefit. You will want to process, freeze, and transport your fish back home to fill your freezer with wild-caught Alaskan Salmon and other fish. We work with the largest sport fishing processor in town to make sure your catch is properly cleaned, frozen, and packaged for the trip home. They will clean the fish and cut perfect sized filets for packaging. The fish will be flash frozen and packaged in a secure “fish box” to ensure it is safe for transit to be either mailed or secured as checked luggage on your flight. Fish processessing is not included in charter rates.
How do you fish for salmon?
There are three basic techniques for salmon fishing in the ocean. Your captain will determine which particular method is appropriate based on many different factors. Trolling is the most common approach to ocean salmon fishing. With the help of a downrigger, trolling involves setting your gear at a specific depth and slowly running the boat so your leader trails behind the boat with a flasher – mimicking the appearance of bait herring, which is a salmon’s preferred meal. Mooching is done with a double hook leader in combination with a sliding sinker and cut plug herring. You lower your gear into the water typically while the boat is drifting or anchored.
This technique works well when the fish are actively feeding particularly in schools. This technique requires a lot of activity as you will want to move your bait through the water continuously. Lastly, there is “jigging.” Jigging is done by lowering a weighted lure, 2-5 oz., to a target depth. Then you raise the lure up and down in a range between 2-3 feet. The repeating action gives the bottom fish the appearance of a lame herring. Who doesn’t love an easy meal!
How Much Do Alaska Salmon Charter Trips Cost?
Private Charter trips for 4 people start at $1200.
How Many Salmon Can I Bring Home?
1 king salmon and 6 other salmon per day are allowed by the State of Alaska regulations. If you stay longer, you can bring home more fish.
How many halibut can I bring home?
1 halibut per person per trip
How do I fly with fresh fish?
We will help you arrange processing. They can either FedEx your fish home, or you can check boxes of fish like airplane luggage.
Do you ship my fish home for me?
Though processing is not included on any charter, we do work closely with the best processor in town to ensure your catch is properly processed, packaged, and secured for transit so that you can bring home some of Alaska’s finest seafood.
What kind of clothes do I need to bring for a fishing excursion?
We have rain gear as well as an enclosed cabin. Cotton kills, so we recommend wearing synthetic or wool materials. It’s always cooler out on the water.