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Ketchikan Alaska Saltwater Fishing
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In many ways, Alaska fishing is the best in
the world. The magnificent habitats, untouched wilderness ecosystems, and
pristine oceans and coastlines enable all fishery stocks to thrive in
excellent numbers. A highly regulated fishery, it’s managed by the Alaska
Department of Fish & Game for sustainability. In addition to the world
class wild stocks of salmon, hundreds of hatcheries throughout the States
provide millions of salmon fry, fingerlings and smolt to rivers, lakes,
and ocean bays. Tens of thousands do make it back years later and enhance
the numbers to be sought after by commercial and sport fishermen. Intensive management and strict regulations in it’s various forms by ADF&G
enables a prosperous and long term viability of our fantastic resource for
all those in their piscatorial pursuits far into the future.
Fish everything from Halibut to King Salmon
In Southeast Alaska a variety of species of
fish are sought after and found, with as much variety in the techniques to
catch them. Regardless of what you’ve heard about with the huge 300 lb.
Halibut and giant 80 lb. King Salmon....and other monster fish stories,
while many are true, they are few, and a small percentage of the overall
experience of most fishermen fishing in Alaska. The best advice to give is
to come up with expectations of having a great time with friends and
family, fish as much or as little as you like, and catch a lot of dandy
fish, pray for great weather and wildlife sightings, and hope your film
turns out of all the big ones you catch.
Light Fishing Tackle is Perfect for Kids, Too!
Here in the Ketchikan area, with Captain Rob
and Classic Alaska Charters, you’ll learn to appreciate new techniques of
locating, attracting, and catching all species of fish found in Southeast
Alaska. Although we have the heavy gear for those particular areas and needs
for stout gear, we generally introduce folks to our medium to light tackle
rods 'n reels. With the lighter gear we're able to work a variety of tackle without
the fatigue, thereby reserving your strength for the enjoyment of fighting your
big fish......rather than using all your energy for cranking up 2 lb. weights
from 400' deep. Our style of fishing allows women and kids to join in the fun
too without making it feel like too much work. Everyone loves the way WE do it!
For those who are accustomed to trolling and watching rods for a
bite.....well, we do that too, but try not to spend a lot of time trolling if
fishing is slow. When you experience the medium & light tackle jigging we
encourage, you’ll understand why we’re different than all the others.....and
you’ll be glad you took the time to learn OUR way of catching the big ones.
Limit Out On Alaska Fishing!
We have FUN, and concentrate on a great time
with a variety of areas to fish and activities to participate in. Indeed,
we’ll catch a lot of fish.....no doubt about it! Typically we reach many of the
weekly bag limits (double the daily limit in possession), but bag limits
“everyday” is something that’s unnecessary and unrealistic. Meat hunters
determined to expect limits of 100+ lb. Halibut and 50+ lb. Salmon limits
everyday.....Good luck finding a guide that can follow through with that tall
order! That’s not our operation.
Fishing with us, folks can expect to head home
with about 40-50 lbs. of filleted and packaged fish per person to enjoy for
months to come. Halibut up to 200 lbs. we’ve landed, but most are under 100 lbs.
with an average of 15-60 lbs. We netted and kept a 62 lb. King Salmon a few
years back, have landed a few in the 50 lb. class, and more in the 40 lb. range. Most Kings caught aboard the Saltery
C are in the 20-40 lb. pound class.
Coho's early in the season run 8-12 lbs and
then later in Sept the big one's arrive weighing in at 14-20 lbs! Chums (Keta)
and Pink Salmon are also caught in large numbers, often limiting out with
50-60 fish days......just in salmon! The Pinks average in the 4-8lb class
while the Chums are real monsters from 12-20 lbs with every year a 25+ pounder
taken. Rockfish in saltwater come in a variety of colors, flavors, and
sizes......mostly 2-5 lbs.....but all are delicious!
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Saltwater Fishing
Fish Timing Chart

Limits
Coho, Chum, Pink, and Sockeye Salmon
Limits: 16 inches or longer—6 of each species daily, 12 of each species in
possession
Coho, Chum, Pink, and Sockeye Salmon (in combination)
Limits: Less than 16 inches—10 daily, 10 in possession
Dungeness Crab
Non-Resident Limits: 5 daily, 5 in possession, males only Dungeness—6.5-inch
minimum size limit
Halibut
Season: February 1–December 31
Limits: 2 daily, 4 in possession, no size restrictions
King Salmon
Limits: less than 28 inches must be released.
Alaska residents: 2 daily, 2 in possession, 28-inch minimum size.
Non-Residents: 1 daily, 1 in possession, 28-inch minimum size, 3 fish annual
limit, harvest record required.
Ling Cod
Season: May 16–November 30
Limits: 1 daily, 2 in possession, no size restrictions
Pelagic Rockfish
Limits: 5 daily, 10 in possession, no size restrictions. Pelagic rockfish
include dusky (Sebastes cilatus), yellowtail (S. flavidus), widow (S.
entomelas), black (S. melanops), and blue (S. mystinus). These five species
are uniformly gray, green, brown, or black.
Other Rockfish
Limits: 5 daily, 10 in possession, no size restrictions. Only 2 daily and 4 in
possession may be yelloweye rockfish ( Sebastes ruberrimus), commonly called
“red snapper.”
Shrimp
Non-Resident Limits: 10 pounds or 10 quarts daily and in possession, no size
restrictions.
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