Full-Day Salmon & Halibut Combo Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day charter targets salmon and halibut in Juneau watersProfessional captains guide small groups of six anglers maximumLocal expertise provides access to productive fishing grounds
Picture this: you're out on Juneau's pristine waters at first light, lines in the water, with a full day ahead to chase two of Alaska's most prized fish. Our Ultimate Combo charter gives you the best of both worlds - the adrenaline rush of hooking into a massive Chinook salmon and the arm-burning fight of a barn-door halibut. With our experienced local captains who know these waters like the back of their hand, you'll hit the most productive fishing grounds around Juneau without wasting time searching for fish.
This isn't your average half-day trip where you're just getting warmed up when it's time to head back. We're talking about a legitimate full day on the water - usually 8 to 10 hours depending on conditions and how the fish are biting. You'll start early, which is exactly when you want to be out there. Our boats are set up specifically for this kind of combo fishing, with downriggers for salmon trolling and heavy tackle ready for when we move to the halibut grounds. The group size stays small at just 6 anglers max, so you're not fighting for rod time or space at the rail. Our captains have been working these waters for years, and they know exactly where the salmon are running and where the halibut are holding based on tide, weather, and seasonal patterns. You'll spend roughly half your day targeting each species, but we stay flexible - if the salmon are really going off or the halibut are stacked up thick, we'll adjust the plan to put you on the hottest bite.
We run two completely different fishing styles on this trip, which keeps things interesting all day long. For salmon, we're trolling with downriggers, pulling flashers and spoons or hoochies through the prime zones where these fish are feeding. The downriggers let us get your bait down to the exact depth where the salmon are cruising - sometimes that's 40 feet, sometimes it's 120 feet, but our fish finders and years of experience tell us exactly where to set up. When a salmon hits, you'll feel that telltale tap-tap-pull, then it's game on as these fish make their runs. For halibut, we're anchored up or slow-drifting over structure in 100 to 300 feet of water, using heavy sinkers to get big baits down to the bottom where these flatfish live. We're talking about circle hooks with whole herring or salmon heads - halibut aren't picky, but they want a substantial meal. The bite feels completely different - often just a subtle weight on your line before you realize there's a 50-pound fish down there trying to bury itself in the mud.
Chinook salmon, or King salmon as we call them up here, are the undisputed heavyweight champions of the salmon world. These fish average 20 to 40 pounds around Juneau, but we see plenty of 50-pounders and the occasional 60-plus monster that'll test your drag system and your endurance. Kings are available pretty much year-round in these waters, but the peak season runs from May through September when they're feeding heavily before heading to their spawning rivers. What makes them so special isn't just their size - it's their attitude. Kings fight smart, using their weight and the current to their advantage, making long powerful runs that can strip line off your reel in seconds. The meat is rich and oily, perfect for grilling or smoking, and there's nothing quite like the satisfaction of landing your first Alaskan King salmon.
Pacific halibut are the stuff of fishing legends, and Juneau's deep waters produce some absolute slabs. These flatfish can live over 50 years and grow to enormous sizes - we're talking about fish that can weigh 100, 200, even 300 pounds or more. Most of what you'll catch will be in the 20 to 80-pound range, which is still more than enough fish to keep your arms burning and your freezer full for months. Halibut are ambush predators that bury themselves in sand or mud on the bottom, waiting for baitfish, crabs, or other prey to swim by. They're available year-round, but the summer months from May through September offer the most consistent action and the best weather for targeting them in deeper water. The fight is completely different from salmon - it's a tug-of-war where the halibut uses its flat body like a sail, trying to stay glued to the bottom while you're trying to winch it up through 200 feet of water.
Here's the bottom line - if you want to experience the best of Alaska fishing in a single day, this combo trip delivers exactly that. You're getting two completely different fishing experiences, targeting two of the most sought-after species in Alaska waters, with captains who live and breathe these fisheries. The full-day format means you're not rushed, you're not watching the clock, and you have real time to get into fish and enjoy the experience. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to check King salmon and halibut off your bucket list, or you're new to saltwater fishing and want to learn from the best, this charter sets you up for success. Don't wait too long to book - the best fishing dates fill up fast, especially during peak season, and you don't want to miss out on what could be the fishing trip of a lifetime.
Your fishing platform for this full-day salmon and halibut combo is a 30' Blackfeather Catamaran that knows these Juneau waters well. Built in 2009 with twin 250HP Yamaha engines, this stable cat cuts through Alaska's coastal waters while you focus on what matters - getting lines in the water and fish in the boat. The spacious deck gives all 6 anglers room to work without getting tangled up, whether you're trolling for salmon or dropping down deep for halibut. The fish finder keeps you on top of the action, while the radar helps navigate when Southeast Alaska decides to show off its moody weather. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during those long productive runs between salmon grounds and halibut holes. When nature calls or you need a break from the action, there's a head on board. The captain's local knowledge of productive trolling lanes and deep-water halibut structure means more time fishing and less time searching. This cat handles Juneau's waters with confidence, giving you a solid platform to target Alaska's premier sport fish all day long.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the trophy fish everyone wants to hook into around here. These bruisers average 12-20 pounds but we see plenty over 30 pounds during peak season. They've got that distinctive silver body with black spots and those black gums that give them away. Kings like deeper water and stay low in the water column since they're light-sensitive, so we troll with downriggers to get our gear down where they're feeding. Summer months are prime time when they're moving through our waters heading to spawn. What makes them special? That bright orange-red meat tastes amazing, and they fight harder than any other salmon species. Pro tip: when one hits, don't horse it in - let that fish run and tire itself out, or you'll lose it at the boat.
Hippoglossus StenolepisPacific halibut are the real giants of our Juneau waters - these flatfish can weigh anywhere from 20 pounds up to barn door-sized fish over 200 pounds. They live on the bottom in 150-500 feet of water, hunting everything from cod to octopus. Being bottom dwellers, we anchor up over productive structure and drop heavy jigs or bait rigs straight down. Summer is your best shot when they move into shallower feeding areas and get more active. What draws people back? Landing a big halibut is like wrestling a coffee table, plus the white, flaky meat is some of the best eating you'll find. Here's the key: once your bait hits bottom, lift it up about three feet and keep it moving - halibut like to ambush prey that's just off the seafloor.
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