Alaska Salmon Fishing

[HunterMcBuckKiller]

Hey Guys,
My wife works for a cruse line and I got to spend a week in Alaska 3 weeks ago, while she was "working". It was amazing!!! I had never been and can see why we all aspire to get the opportunity to hunt/fish/camp there. Seems like we took the CA weather with us as well, no rain, and all sunshine.
Nothing like sitting on the balcony and watching bald eagles and osprey battle for a fish with one of the most beautiful backgrounds you could imagine.

Headed out there again for the family "Vacation" on Friday. Planning on a salmon fishing trip in Ketchikan, Wish it was more than 1 day... but beggars cant be choosers.

Anyone been Salmon fishing in Ketchikan? I know we wont get any king salmon but hoping for some silver or red.
Wish me luck and hopefully I'll have some flicks to post in 2 weeks.

 

[Designed2Hunt]

Timing is everything

 

[WaterDawg]

Fished the Kenai for kings many years ago. Never been to Ketchikan. Good luck!.

 

[HunterMcBuckKiller]

Timing is everything

So I am told. Lets hope this is the right time. My smoker wants some fresh salmon!!

 

[HunterMcBuckKiller]

Fished the Kenai for kings many years ago. Never been to Ketchikan. Good luck!.

Any luck on that trip?

 

[WaterDawg]

Any luck on that trip?

Nope. Local indigenous tribe was allowed to put out their nets the day before our trip, ruining our trip. Lesson learned. We did well on other salmon varieties in some smaller rivers.

 

[doccherry]

I've fished Ketch many times, but always freshwater. Do you want to fish salt or fresh? No kings and coho won't be showing up until later. Sockeye will definitely be schooling at the mouths of freshwater streams. You'll need to get there via boat or float plane. The best bet is to fish off a saltwater charter, a small skiff type, maybe 20' for so. And don't forget bottom fish---lots of them and pure white meat. I don't know how PM works on this forum, but if you can figure out how to PM me, I'll give you all the info you need.

 

[HunterMcBuckKiller]

I've fished Ketch many times, but always freshwater. Do you want to fish salt or fresh? No kings and coho won't be showing up until later. Sockeye will definitely be schooling at the mouths of freshwater streams. You'll need to get there via boat or float plane. The best bet is to fish off a saltwater charter, a small skiff type, maybe 20' for so. And don't forget bottom fish---lots of them and pure white meat. I don't know how PM works on this forum, but if you can figure out how to PM me, I'll give you all the info you need.

Thanks for the info. I am on a small 6 man salt water charter so they are in charge of where we are headed, It is only 1 day and I had nothing to do so I told my wife she has the kids and I'm gong fishing,..
Should be a good learning experience and beautiful scenery none the less. If we aren't hitting any Salmon I am definitely trying for some halibut.

 

[HunterMcBuckKiller]

Nope. Local indigenous tribe was allowed to put out their nets the day before our trip, ruining our trip. Lesson learned. We did well on other salmon varieties in some smaller rivers.

That sucks, Will keep that in mind when I plan a fishing only trip with the guys...

 

[doccherry]

Thanks for the info. I am on a small 6 man salt water charter so they are in charge of where we are headed, It is only 1 day and I had nothing to do so I told my wife she has the kids and I'm gong fishing,..
Should be a good learning experience and beautiful scenery none the less. If we aren't hitting any Salmon I am definitely trying for some halibut.

Bring quality rain gear. Regardless of the weather forecast, you can expect rain. And another thing---you might want to bring some fishing gear, a spinning outfit that you might use for large trout or bass. 10 pound line or so. Bring some 1/2 oz flashy lures---spoons or spinners. There are actually some good fishing areas right off the road or off the docks. Pink salmon tend to school in the harbor and little coves and are really easy to catch. Be sure to post some pix.

 

[doccherry]

Thanks for the info. I am on a small 6 man salt water charter so they are in charge of where we are headed, It is only 1 day and I had nothing to do so I told my wife she has the kids and I'm gong fishing,..
Should be a good learning experience and beautiful scenery none the less. If we aren't hitting any Salmon I am definitely trying for some halibut.

Just talked with a friend on POW island across the strait from Ketch. Silvers [coho] are in so you might get into them. Really great fishing. They average around 10 pounds and go aerobatic when hooked. Superb eating. The charter will probably provide cleaning and freezing of any fish you catch. They then pack them in insulated boxes and you can check them in as baggage on the airliner. If you fly Alaska Air, they are pros at handling frozen fish.

 

[HunterMcBuckKiller]

The trip was a success!!! 20x Pink's and 2x chum (the chum were given away). Had a blast!!!! Thanks for the tips! here are some photos of the fun!! Managed to hook a baby King and throw him back, jumped off the hook before I could get a photo.

 

[ilovesprig]

Sounds like a great time......

 

[HunterMcBuckKiller]

Sounds like a great time......

It really was...

 

[GUNDOGLOVER49]

The trip was a success!!! 20x Pink's and 2x chum (the chum were given away). Had a blast!!!! Thanks for the tips! here are some photos of the fun!! Managed to hook a baby King and throw him back, jumped off the hook before I could get a photo. View attachment 54985View attachment 54986

Some excellent eating you got there.

 

[HortoTheSlayer]

You guys slayed them! Nice haul! Can't wait to go to Alaska one day. First place on my dream vacation list...some people like sandy beaches and palm trees..I like icebergs and grizzlies!

 

[GUNDOGLOVER49]

if you need any help eating that fish, I life in So. Cal and will be happy to help.