HALIBUT For those who prefer a different style of fishing, the waters of Ketchikan also hold a remarkable halibut fishery. Highly sought after by anglers and seafood enthusiasts alike, halibut can grow to impressive sizes, often surpassing 300 pounds and measuring over 8 feet long. One of the distinguishing features of halibut is their flat body shape, which allows them to lie on the ocean floor and camouflage themself against the sandy or muddy bottom. This adaptive characteristic enables the halibut to be an ambush predator, patiently waiting for prey to come within striking distance. To target these unique fish, charter captains often anchor the boat near their favorite halibut hole and begin chumming the water. The scent and activity created by the chum slick help get the fish’s attention and bring them closer to the boat. Popular natural baits for targeting halibut include whole herring, fresh cut bait or even a whole salmon head on a large circle hook. Baits are sent down to the bottom (using lead weights), where the fish are likely to lurk. Bouncing large artificial jigs along the bottom is another proven technique many anglers use. One of the best things about an Alaskan fishing charter is that in addition to enjoying the great fishing action and your beautiful surroundings, you can have your catch processed, packaged and shipped home to enjoy on the dinner table. Wherever your travels may take you, I wish you calm seas, clear skies and tight lines. John Lashbrook is the multifaceted owner and operator of PixelWorks (pxlwrx.com). Based in Florida, he’s traveled through North America and as far east as Asia, carrying with him a passion for fishing, excellent creative work, and hilarious standup.
Five species of salmon live in these waters, and once again, trolling is the preferred method captains employ. However, salmon trolling moves much slower than trolling for larger, more active fish like marlin. Using downriggers allows you to precisely control the depth of your baits and lures, depending on where the fish are schooling in the water column. Natural baits such as herring and minnows are commonly used, as are artificial spoons, spinners and hoochies. Catching a king salmon in the 30-40lb range is not uncommon, but they can get much larger, so be ready for a good fight!
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