8-Hour Halibut & Salmon Combo in Juneau Waters
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Eighthour halibut and salmon fishing combo in Icy Strait watersSmall group experience with maximum four guests per charter tripExperienced guides provide equipment and local fishing expertise included
Ready to experience some of Alaska's best fishing? This full-day combo trip puts you right in the heart of Juneau's most productive waters, where massive Pacific halibut cruise the bottom and multiple salmon species run thick during peak season. You'll fish Icy Strait's legendary grounds with a seasoned captain who knows exactly where the fish are holding. With just 4 anglers max, you get personalized attention and plenty of elbow room to work your lines. We're talking about world-class fishing in some of the most beautiful water you'll ever see – towering glaciers, dense forests, and wildlife everywhere you look.
Your day starts early with a departure from Juneau's harbor, where you'll meet your captain and get the rundown on tackle, techniques, and safety. The boat heads out to Icy Strait, about a 30-45 minute run depending on conditions and where the fish are biting. This isn't a rushed trip – with 8 full hours, you have time to really work the water and dial in on what's working. Your captain will set you up with quality rods, reels, and terminal tackle suited for both bottom fishing and trolling. Expect to switch between techniques as the day progresses, starting with salmon trolling in the morning when they're most active, then transitioning to halibut fishing once you've found productive bottom structure. The boat carries all necessary safety gear, fish cleaning equipment, and ice to keep your catch fresh.
Salmon fishing here means trolling with downriggers and diving planers to get your bait and lures down to the right depth. You'll run flashers ahead of spoons, herring, or hoochies – whatever's producing that day. The key is covering water and staying in the strike zone, typically 40-120 feet deep depending on the salmon species and time of year. For halibut, it's all about bottom fishing with heavy sinkers, circle hooks, and big chunks of bait like salmon heads or herring. These fish can be anywhere from 80 to 300+ feet deep, so you need gear that can handle the depth and the fight. Your captain will handle the electronics and positioning – you focus on feeling the bite and working the fish. Don't worry if you're new to this style of fishing; the crew will walk you through everything from hook sets to proper fighting technique.
Pacific Halibut are the crown jewel of Alaska fishing, and Icy Strait holds some monsters. These flatfish can range from 20-pound "chickens" all the way up to barn doors pushing 200+ pounds. They're most active from May through September, with peak action in summer months. What makes them special is the fight – they're incredibly strong and stubborn, often taking 15-20 minutes to bring up from deep water. Plus, the meat is absolutely phenomenal, with firm white fillets that are perfect for grilling or baking.
Chinook Salmon, also called King salmon, are the largest Pacific salmon species and a top-rated target for serious anglers. These fish average 15-30 pounds in Juneau waters, with occasional giants hitting 40+ pounds. They're available from May through July, with peak runs in June. Chinooks are known for their aggressive strikes and long, powerful runs. The meat is rich and oily, perfect for smoking or grilling, and many consider it the best-eating salmon species.
Pink Salmon might be the smallest Pacific salmon, but they make up for size with sheer numbers and aggressive feeding. During odd-numbered years, Juneau sees massive pink runs from July through September. These 3-6 pound fish hit hard and fight like crazy on lighter tackle. They're a customer favorite for beginners and kids because they bite readily and provide non-stop action when the run is on.
Chum Salmon, nicknamed "dog salmon," are underrated fighters that show up from July through September. These 8-15 pound fish are incredibly strong and make blistering runs when hooked. They're also excellent eating when caught fresh in salt water, with firm pink meat that's great for grilling or smoking.
Sockeye Salmon are prized for their deep red meat and rich flavor, though they're trickier to target than other species. When you do connect with one of these 6-12 pound rockets, you're in for a fight. They're acrobatic jumpers and make multiple runs. Sockeye are available from June through August, with the best action typically in July.
This combo trip gives you the best of both worlds – the excitement of salmon trolling and the challenge of halibut fishing, all in one action-packed day. With only 4 spots available, you get the personalized service and fish-finding expertise that makes the difference between a good day and a legendary one. Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will work hard to put you on fish. Whether you're after a freezer full of fillets or that trophy photo, this trip delivers. Don't wait – the best fishing dates fill up fast, especially during peak salmon season. Book now and get ready for some serious fishing in Alaska's premier waters.
Captain Mike's 30-foot Boulton fishing boat cuts through Icy Strait's waters with serious angling power. This locally famous vessel gives you plenty of deck room to work those halibut and salmon runs, plus a heated cabin when Alaska's weather kicks up. The onboard fish finder tracks your targets while GPS and radar keep you locked on the hottest fishing spots, even when fog rolls in. Store your catch in the icebox, grab cold drinks from the fridge, and stay comfortable with AC during those long 8-hour combo trips. With a head onboard and space for just four anglers, you'll have room to fight those monster halibut without bumping elbows. Captain Mike knows these Juneau waters like the back of his hand, putting you right where the big fish are biting.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKings are the heavyweights of salmon fishing, running 15-30 pounds on average with some monsters pushing 50+ in these waters. They're deep dwellers, typically found 60-150 feet down along drop-offs and current breaks. Early morning and evening are prime time when they move up to feed. May through July gives you the best shot at chrome-bright fish fresh from the ocean. What makes kings special is that bone-jarring first run and their rich, red meat that's perfect for the grill. They're light-sensitive, so we fish weighted baits near bottom using herring or plugs. Here's a local trick: when trolling, use a flasher and herring combo at 2.5-3 mph. Kings often hit right when you change direction, so don't be afraid to make those turns near structure.
Oncorhynchus KetaChum salmon are the underdogs that'll surprise you with their strength - these 8-15 pound fighters are built for the long haul with serious stamina. In summer, they're silver-bright and cruise 15-40 feet deep near river mouths and current lines. Peak season runs late June through August when they're aggressive and feeding heavily. What makes chums fun is their bulldogging fight - they don't jump much but pull steady and hard. The flesh is firm and excellent smoked or grilled. They're sight feeders, so bright chartreuse and pink flies work best. Here's the secret: don't cast right into a school of chums or you'll spook them. Instead, work the edges with your lure and let them come to you. Once hooked, they'll make long runs, so make sure your drag is set properly.
Hippoglossus StenolepisPacific halibut are the barn doors of the bottom - these massive flatfish can hit 100+ pounds and provide an arm-burning fight that'll test your endurance. We target them in 150-400 feet of water over sandy and muddy bottoms where they ambush prey. Summer months are best when they move shallower to feed actively. The meat is pure white, flaky, and some of the best eating you'll find in Alaska. What guests love is the surprise factor - you never know if that tap on your rod is a 20-pounder or a monster that'll take 45 minutes to boat. We use heavy tackle with 2-pound weights and big baits like salmon heads or whole herring. Key tip: when you feel that subtle pickup, don't set the hook right away. Let them take it and run a few seconds before lifting into them firmly.
Oncorhynchus GorbuschaPink salmon, also called humpies, are the smallest Pacific salmon but make up for it in numbers. They average 4-5 pounds in Juneau waters, with that distinctive hump on their backs when spawning. These fish love cold water around 50°F and stick close to shore in the summer months. July through August is prime time when they're silver-bright and fighting hard. What guests love about pinks is they're perfect for beginners - aggressive biters that'll hit bright pink jigs and spoons consistently. The meat has a nice pink color from all the krill they eat. Pro tip: when you see them jumping and splashing at the surface, that's your cue to get a pink hoochie or small spoon in the water fast. They school up tight, so where you catch one, you'll usually find more.
Oncorhynchus NerkaSockeye are the premium eating fish - smaller than kings at 6-10 pounds but packed with rich, red meat that's worth its weight in gold. These bright silver rockets prefer deeper water, usually 30-80 feet, and are notorious for their acrobatic fights with multiple jumps. Mid-June through July is prime time when they're moving toward spawning areas. What guests love is the combination of great fight and table fare - sockeye has that distinct rich flavor that's perfect grilled or smoked. They're picky eaters, preferring small spoons and flies in size 4-6. Local trick: sockeye often follow specific depth contours, so when you mark fish at 45 feet, stay at that exact depth and work parallel to shore. They school tight, so patience pays off when you find them.
Fairbanks