Alaska Fishing Information
Southeast Alaska is home to one of the most fertile maritime environments on the planet. All five species of salmon, steelhead, halibut and a plethora of bottom fish abound in these cold and nutrient waters. Leaving behind crowded fishing grounds on five day “live aboard” excursions, guests aboard the Adventurous will have access to the most remote and untouched fishing opportunities in Southeast Alaska.
Providing you with expert guidance and top quality fishing tackle – fishing success is assured.
Types and Styles of Alaska Fishing
Stream fishing – Fly & Light Tackle Sport Fishing
Encompassing tens of thousands of miles of coastline, thousands of Islands and hundreds of Rivers and streams, Southeast Alaska is a stream fishing paradise. Whether in pursuit of the ghost like steelhead or the abundant salmon, Alaska Charter Service will give you access to some of the most remote fishing opportunities in Alaska. Catering to both fly fisherman and light tackle enthusiast Alaska Charter Service has invested over 10 years in the exploration and pursuit of the top stream fisheries of the inside passage. Utilizing the Adventurous both as a luxurious “base camp” and a vehicle to gain access to remote river mouths and streams our stream fishing guest will have the option of fishing a different area every day.
Salmon fishing – Trolling and Mooching
The outside coast of Southeast Alaska is home to one of the largest Salmon populations left on earth. As summer arrives tens of millions of ravenous Salmon in route to their perspective spawning grounds ranging from Prince William Sound, Alaska, to Northern California invade the bait rich waters of Southeast Alaska.
Depending on the time of the year you can expect to have any one or all five species of Salmon available in great numbers. Fishing both of the outside waters and the placid fiords and bays of Southeast Alaska, our guests will have the opportunity to troll, mooch, and even fly fish for these wonderful sport fish from the comfort of the Adventurous.
Halibut fishing – Bottom Fishing
The Gulf of Alaska is home to the largest “bio-mass” or population of these scrappy and delectable bottom fish in the world. On the Adventurous we use several techniques for landing halibut that range in size from 20 pounds to monster barn doors that tip the scale in excess of 200 pounds. Anchoring and bottom fishing, drifting and jigging, and even “mooching” with light tackle can produce nice catches of these tasty fish.
King Salmon
Invading Southeast Alaska beginning in the middle of May there is no destination in the world that will produce more saltwater king salmon action. Just by shear size, kings are great fighters and may be caught trolling, mooching, or jigging from the Adventurous. Averaging over twenty pounds, but growing in excess of fifty pounds these “Kings” of the sport fishing world will test your skill and keep you coming back to Alaska for years to come.
Fishing both the outside ocean waters and the placid fjords and bays of Southeast Alaska, you will have the opportunity to troll, mooch, or even fly fish for these wonderful sport fish from the comfort of the Adventurous.
Steelhead
These hard fighting sea-run rainbows offer fabulous fly fishing in the streams of Southeast Alaska. Guests access the shoreline and miles of rivers using our custom built jet boat, where they enjoy sight-fishing, wading, hiking and exploring along some of the wildest streams in Alaska. Your guide will help spot the resting steelhead and you cast to them. There is nothing quite like stalking and then casting to a large wild steelhead. When you latch into one of these explosive fish, you are in for a fight like no other. Occasionally the prize comes quick with nickel bright fish “stacked” just above tide water. Other times, the pursuit will take you upstream deep into the rain forest. Steelhead fishing from the Adventurous is for the fly fisherman looking for true adventure in the untouched streams of Southeast Alaska.
Dolly Varden & Cutthroat Trout
Feeding not only on the Salmon smolt in the spring, but on the eggs in the fall these members of the trout family may be found in great numbers in many streams in Southeast Alaska. Fall is truly Dolly time. Sometimes they are very easy to catch, making them a great fish for the beginner fly fisherman. Other times than can be more of a challenge, but these seagoing fish are great table fare.
Halibut
Flat fish, two toners, chickens, even barn doors, these tasty game fish may be found throughout the season in Southeast Alaska with the greatest numbers in August and September. Although they average around 25lbs., fish over a hundred pounds are fairly common and several “barn doors” over 200lbs manage to be brought to the rail on the Adventurous every year. Many consider halibut the world’s best tasting bottom fish.
Ling cod
Lots of teeth, hard fighting and extra good fried or on the barbeque! These are one of the few non-migratory game fish we pursue here in Alaska. Averaging 20 lbs, but record breaking over 75lbs these fish have remained extremely numerous through proper management by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Red Snapper & Rockfish
Also known as the yellow eyed rockfish. Average weight is 10 to 15 pounds. The red snapper is an excellent food fish. More than 30 species of Rockfish live in Alaska’s coastal waters. Rockfish will average two to four pounds. They appear somewhat perch or bass-like, and are often called sea bass. Any bait fished on a rocky bottom will produce these fine flavored fish.
Dungeness Crab and Alaska Spot Prawns
The Dungeness crab is a Pacific Ocean delicacy prized for its sweet firm meat. This area of Alaska is teeming with Dungeness crabs. Alaska Spot Prawns are known for their unique, sweet taste and texture. Their lobster like taste makes them a prized epicurean delight. Once you taste an Alaska Spot Prawn, you will wonder why anyone would eat any other prawn.
The Adventurous carries all the necessary gear on board for you to aggressively pot fish for both crab and shrimp. Not only is this a different and exciting way to fish but the rewards are simply mouth watering.
If you are a seafood lover, and want the freshest seafood available, this is the only way to go!
About Alaska Salmon Fishing
King Salmon
Invading Southeast Alaska beginning in the middle of May there is no destination in the world that will produce more saltwater king salmon action. Just by shear size, kings are great fighters and may be caught trolling, mooching, or jigging from the Adventurous. Averaging over twenty pounds, but growing in excess of fifty pounds these “Kings” of the sport fishing world will test your skill and keep you coming back to Alaska for years to come.
Silver Salmon
These hard fighting, acrobatic, and very tasty fish are found in great numbers throughout Southeast Alaska beginning as early as July 1st. Although cohos provide dynamite action in the saltwater into September, they return to their “home” streams throughout the inside passage providing world class fly and light tackle fishing. Load up the 8 weight and hang on!
Sockeye (Red) Salmon
Returning to several of the streams in Southeast Alaska the lightning fast plankton feeding Sockeye is best pursued with fly or light tackle. Fishing from one of the Adventurous launches or from shore, landing these strong 3-10 pound fish can prove to be a challenge. Probably the best tasting of all the salmon species, this is a salmon that is well worth the effort.
Chum Salmon
Chums are the bull dogs of the bunch, although they may be landed in the saltwater they are best fished on the fly in the stream. Hook into a 12 pound chum on an 8 weight fly rod or light tackle spinning outfit in a small stream and you will have your hands full. These fish do not make the best of table fare, but their knack for ripping line off of a reel and photogenic stripes make them a great sport fish. Look for these fish to enter the rivers around the 1st of August and stay around until September.
Pink Salmon
Numbers! These ultra aggressive, very numerous salmon begin their onslaught on Southeast Alaska waters around the first of July. Attacking anything that hits the water makes these little scrappers a bit of a problem in the saltwater, but once they enter the streams, the fly rods and light tackle spinning outfits come out. Fly fishing for pinks is not only exciting and active, but a great chance to learn and enjoy fly fishing. Striking even dry flies, these 2 to 8 pound (more than you can count) salmon, can bring a smile to any fly fisherman’s face.
Customize Your Own Southeast Alaska Vacation!
Don't just see Alaska, live it!
Utilizing the Adventurous as a mobile base camp for your Alaskan Adventure we will help you customize each amazing trip.
Call: (206) 910-9603