Juneau's Premier Halibut & Salmon Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour combo trip targets halibut and salmon speciesSmall group experience with maximum four guest capacityExpert captains navigate to prime Juneau fishing grounds
Looking for world-class fishing action in Southeast Alaska? Hi Time Charters delivers exactly what serious anglers want: a 6-hour combo trip targeting the region's most prized species. Our intimate 4-guest maximum ensures you get plenty of rod time and personalized attention from captains who know these waters like the back of their hand. Departing from Juneau harbor, we'll hit the productive grounds where massive Pacific halibut cruise the bottom and multiple salmon species run strong during peak season.
This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip. We're talking serious angling in some of Alaska's most productive inshore waters, where the Continental Shelf drops off and creates perfect habitat for both bottom-dwelling halibut and pelagic salmon. Your day starts early at the harbor, where our experienced captains will brief you on tackle, techniques, and what we're seeing out there. The boat is rigged with quality gear, but feel free to bring your own rods if you've got favorites. We'll spend the morning working the halibut grounds with heavy tackle and circle hooks, then shift gears to troll for salmon as conditions and timing dictate. The beauty of a 6-hour window is flexibility - we can adapt to what's biting and where the action is hottest.
Halibut fishing means going heavy - we're talking 2-4 pound sinkers and sturdy conventional reels that can handle fish pushing triple digits. Circle hooks are the standard here, both for conservation and effectiveness. You'll be bottom bouncing with herring, salmon bellies, or other cut bait depending on what the fish are keying on. For salmon, we switch to lighter spinning or conventional gear and work everything from spoons and spinners to hoochies and cut-plug herring. Downriggers and wire line keep your offerings at the right depth as we troll productive channels and points. Don't worry if you're new to these techniques - our captains are hands-on teachers who want to see you succeed. They'll coach you through playing big fish, proper netting, and reading your rod tip for those subtle halibut bites.
Pacific Halibut are the heavyweight champions of Alaska inshore fishing, and Juneau's waters hold some true giants. These flatfish can live over 50 years and reach sizes that will test your tackle and technique. Most of our halibut action happens in 80-200 feet of water where they ambush prey along the bottom. The bite often feels like a gentle tap-tap before they load up the rod. Summer months offer the most consistent action, with fish ranging from "chickens" in the 20-30 pound range up to true trophies exceeding 100 pounds. What makes halibut special isn't just their size - they're incredibly good eating and provide enough fillets to stock your freezer.
Chinook Salmon, known locally as Kings, are the crown jewel of Alaska's salmon runs. These fish return to Juneau waters from late May through July, with peak action typically hitting in June. A mature King can push 40+ pounds and will absolutely smoke drag when it realizes it's hooked. They're structure-oriented fish, so we target them around points, drop-offs, and current lines where baitfish concentrate. The fight is legendary - long runs, bulldogging deep pulls, and aerial displays that get everyone on the boat excited. Kings also happen to be the richest, most flavorful salmon species, making them a top target for both sport and table fare.
Pink Salmon might be the smallest Pacific salmon, but they make up for size with sheer numbers and scrappy attitude. During odd-numbered years, massive runs of "humpies" flood Southeast Alaska waters from July through September. These 3-6 pound fish are perfect for lighter tackle and non-stop action. They're aggressive biters and acrobatic fighters that jump repeatedly when hooked. Don't let anyone tell you pinks aren't worth targeting - they're fantastic smoked, canned, or grilled fresh, and the consistent action keeps everyone engaged.
Chum Salmon, or "dog salmon," are underrated fighters that show up in good numbers during mid to late summer. These fish typically run 8-15 pounds and are known for their stamina and strength. Unlike other salmon species, chums don't jump much but instead make powerful runs and dig deep. They're excellent eating when caught fresh in salt water, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill. Chums often travel in schools, so when you find them, the action can be fast and furious.
Sockeye Salmon are the most sought-after eating fish in Alaska, and while they're primarily targeted in rivers, we occasionally connect with them in salt water during strong runs. These 6-10 pound fish are notoriously selective feeders, making them a challenge to hook consistently. When you do connect, they're strong fighters with excellent endurance. The deep red meat is prized by chefs and home cooks alike - there's simply nothing better than fresh Alaska sockeye on the table.
With only 4 spots available per trip, this top-rated charter books up quickly during peak season. The combination of intimate group size, expert local knowledge, and access to Juneau's most productive fishing grounds makes this a customer favorite among serious anglers. Whether you're after that trophy halibut for the wall or want to fill the cooler with premium salmon fillets, our 6-hour combo trip delivers the goods. The captains at Hi Time Charters have built their reputation on putting clients on fish, and they're not satisfied unless you're hauling in quality catches. Book now and get ready for the kind of Alaska fishing action that keeps anglers coming back year after year.
Captain Mike's 30-foot Boulton is your ticket to Alaska's best halibut and salmon waters. This locally famous fishing machine gives you plenty of room to fight those big fish, plus a heated cabin when Juneau's weather gets rough. The boat's loaded with everything serious anglers need – fish finder to locate the schools, GPS to hit the hot spots, and an icebox to keep your catch fresh. With AC for summer comfort and radar for those foggy mornings, you'll fish in any conditions. The onboard fridge keeps drinks cold during long battles with stubborn halibut, and there's even a head so you don't miss prime fishing time. Built for Alaska's challenging waters, this vessel gets you to productive grounds where the salmon run thick and monster halibut lurk on the bottom.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the crown jewel of our waters - the biggest, strongest fighters you'll encounter. These monsters average 15-20 pounds but we regularly see 30+ pounders that'll test your arms and drag system. They prefer deeper, colder water and are light-sensitive, so they stay down around 60-150 feet during the day. Peak season runs May through September, with early morning and evening being prime time. What makes kings special is that legendary fight - they'll make long runs and jump when hooked. The meat is rich, buttery, and deep red-orange. Perfect for the grill or smoker. Since they're bottom-oriented, my go-to technique is downrigging with herring or using heavy spoons. Keep your bait moving in the strike zone and be ready - when a king hits, you'll know it. These fish have the strength to snap light tackle.
Oncorhynchus KetaChum salmon, or dog salmon, are underrated fighters that put up a serious battle. These medium-sized fish average 10-15 pounds and are silver-bright in saltwater but develop distinctive vertical stripes when spawning. Peak fishing runs July through September in 15-40 feet of water. They're the marathon runners of salmon - traveling thousands of miles and building serious muscle. What makes chums fun is their aggressive nature once hooked and that wild, acrobatic fight. The meat is leaner than other salmon but still tasty, especially when fresh. They can be spooky though, so don't cast right into a school - work the edges. Chartreuse flies work great, along with pink and purple. My trick is sight-casting when you can see them in shallow water. Cast a few feet ahead of the fish and let your lure drift naturally into their path.
Hippoglossus StenolepisPacific halibut are the giants of the bottom - flatfish that can stretch over 6 feet and weigh 200+ pounds, though most we catch run 20-50 pounds. These diamond-shaped fighters live on sandy or muddy bottoms in 100-300 feet of water, perfectly camouflaged waiting to ambush prey. Summer is prime time when they move into shallower feeding areas. What guests love is the surprise factor - halibut hit hard and fight dirty, using their flat bodies to plane against the current. The meat is firm, white, and absolutely delicious. We target structure breaks and drop-offs where they hunt. My secret is using whole salmon heads or large chunks of herring on heavy tackle. Keep your bait moving just off the bottom - halibut are hunters, not scavengers. When you feel that thump, set the hook hard and hold on.
Oncorhynchus GorbuschaPink salmon, also called humpies, are the most abundant Pacific salmon and perfect for beginners. These smaller fish average around 5 pounds but make up for size with sheer numbers during their runs. You'll find them in our cold Alaskan waters from late June through August, typically in the top 30 feet. They're bright silver in the ocean but develop that distinctive hump when spawning. What guests love is the non-stop action - when pinks are running, you'll often hook multiple fish per trip. They're also excellent eating with that classic pink flesh from all the crustaceans they feed on. My tip: use bright pink jigs or hoochies and don't be afraid to add some herring scent. These fish respond well to movement, so give your lure some action rather than just letting it sit.
Oncorhynchus NerkaSockeye, or red salmon, are the premium eating fish - deep red meat with rich flavor that commands top dollar at markets. These torpedo-shaped fighters average 6-8 pounds and run silver-bright in the ocean before turning brilliant red with green heads during spawning. Best fishing is June through August when they're staging before river runs. They travel in schools and fight hard for their size, making long runs on light tackle. The meat is oilier than other salmon with that beautiful deep red color - perfect for grilling or smoking. Sockeye are plankton feeders, so they're tricky to catch. We target them with small, bright flies or tiny spoons in the top 30 feet of water. My advice is to fish where the feed is concentrated - look for bait balls on the fish finder and work those areas methodically.
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