Ketchikan Salmon & Halibut Combo Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target salmon, halibut, cod and rockfish on 5-8 hour offshore chartersSmall group fishing experience with maximum 4 guests per tripMultiple fishing techniques including trolling, bottom fishing and jigging
Looking for the real deal when it comes to Alaskan fishing? Our 5 to 8-hour combo charter puts you right in the heart of some of Alaska's most productive waters. You'll be targeting everything from massive Pacific halibut to all five species of wild salmon, plus rockfish and lingcod for good measure. This isn't your typical tourist trip – we're talking about serious fishing in waters that consistently produce trophy catches. With only 4 anglers max, you get personalized attention and plenty of elbow room to work your lines without bumping into other guests.
We launch early to make the most of your time on the water, heading to prime fishing grounds that change with the season and fish movement. The beauty of this combo trip is the variety – one minute you're dropping heavy tackle to the bottom for halibut, the next you're trolling flashers and spoons through salmon lanes. The pace keeps things exciting, and there's always something pulling on someone's line. These Ketchikan waters are famous for a reason, and you'll see why when we're marking fish on the sounder and setting up on productive structure. Weather permitting, we'll hit multiple spots to maximize your chances at different species.
Bottom fishing for halibut means heavy sinkers, circle hooks, and fresh bait – usually herring or salmon bellies. We'll anchor up on productive ledges and drop your lines 100 to 300 feet down where these flatfish cruise for meals. For salmon, we're trolling with downriggers, running everything from cut-plug herring to spoons and hoochies at various depths. Jigging comes into play when we're working rockfish and lingcod – vertical presentations with heavy jigs that get down fast and trigger aggressive strikes. All tackle is provided, from the heavy halibut rigs to the lighter salmon setups, plus we've got the bait and lures that are producing right now.
Pink salmon are the bread and butter of summer fishing here, running thick from July through September. These scrappy fighters might be smaller than their cousins, but they make up for it with numbers and attitude. They hit pink hoochies and small spoons hard, and when you find a school, the action gets fast and furious. Perfect for beginners and kids who want constant action.
Coho salmon, or silvers as we call them, are the acrobats of the salmon world. These chrome-bright fish jump, run, and fight way above their weight class. Peak season runs from late July through September, and they love flashy spoons and cut-plug herring. Landing a fresh silver is what keeps anglers coming back – they're beautiful fish and fantastic table fare.
Lingcod are the ugly bruisers of the reef, but don't let their looks fool you – these are prized catches. They lurk around rocky bottom and kelp beds, ambushing anything that swims by. Jigging heavy iron or soft plastics near structure is the ticket, and a good ling will give you a strong fight all the way to the boat. They're excellent eating and make great photos with their prehistoric appearance.
Chinook salmon, the kings of the Pacific, are what dreams are made of. These powerful fish can exceed 30 pounds and will test your tackle and skills. Spring through early summer offers the best shots at these giants, though some are caught year-round. They prefer deeper water and bigger baits – whole herring or large spoons. When you hook into a king, everything else stops as you battle Alaska's premier gamefish.
Pacific halibut are the main event for many anglers, and for good reason. These doormat-sized flatfish can weigh hundreds of pounds and live on the bottom of our deepest waters. They're ambush predators that inhale bait, so circle hooks are essential for good hookups. The fight is more of a tug-of-war than acrobatics, but landing a barn door halibut is a milestone every angler should experience. Prime season runs May through September.
This combo trip gives you the full Alaska fishing experience in one day – multiple species, different techniques, and the chance at both salmon and halibut for the dinner table. With our small group size and experienced crew, you're getting quality time on proven fishing grounds. Whether you're after your first Alaska salmon or hunting for a trophy halibut, these waters deliver consistently. Don't wait until you're here to book – prime dates fill up fast, especially during peak salmon runs. Get your spot locked in and come see why Ketchikan fishing has such a legendary reputation among serious anglers.
Our 2023 Raider cuts through Alaskan waters with serious fishing power. This 28-foot sportfishing machine packs a 250HP Honda engine that'll get you to the hotspots fast, cruising up to 40 knots when the fish are calling. Built to handle Ketchikan's demanding offshore conditions, she's equipped with radar for those foggy mornings, GPS navigation to mark your productive spots, and a fish finder to locate schools of salmon and bottom-dwelling halibut. The spacious deck gives your group of up to 6 anglers plenty of room to work multiple lines while trolling for kings and silvers, or when you're jigging for rockfish in deeper water. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and your beverages cold during those long 5-8 hour sessions targeting everything from lingcod to all five salmon species. With an onboard toilet, comfort's covered when you're focused on landing that trophy halibut or fighting a chrome-bright coho.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the crown jewel of Pacific salmon - massive, powerful fish that can top 30 pounds in Alaska waters. These silver bullets with black-spotted fins are what most anglers dream about. We find them in deeper water, usually 80-150 feet, since they're sensitive to light and prefer the cooler depths. Peak season around Ketchikan runs May through July. What sets kings apart is their incredible strength and that rich, red meat that's prized worldwide. They're line-stripping freight trains when hooked. We troll with downriggers using large spoons, plugs, or herring at varying depths. The key is covering water until you mark fish, then working that depth zone. Early morning and evening produce best, when they move up in the water column to feed.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, known locally as silvers, are the acrobats of the salmon world. These fish average 8-12 pounds and put on a real show when hooked - expect multiple jumps and strong runs that'll test your drag. We find them in deeper water than pinks, usually 20-60 feet down, and they prefer areas with current and structure. Peak season runs July through September around Ketchikan. What guests love most is the fight and the table quality - bright orange meat that's perfect for grilling or smoking. They're aggressive feeders, hitting spoons, plugs, and flies with authority. My go-to technique is trolling with downriggers at varying depths until we locate the school, then working that zone hard.
Ophiodon ElongatusLingcod are the ugly bulldogs of the bottom, but don't let their gnarly appearance fool you - they're fantastic eating and fun to catch. These greenlings (not actually cod) average 10-20 pounds around Ketchikan, with females growing much larger than males. We target them in 60-200 feet over rocky structure where they ambush prey from their lairs. They're aggressive and territorial, often following hooked rockfish right to the surface. Summer through fall offers the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is their hard-hitting strike and bulldogging fight. The meat is white, flaky, and mild - perfect for fish and chips. Best tip: bounce heavy jigs right on bottom near rocks. They'll often grab your lure and just sit there like a log.
Hippoglossus StenolepisPacific halibut are the barn doors of the deep - massive flatfish that can stretch over 6 feet and weigh 200+ pounds, though most we catch run 20-80 pounds. These bottom-dwelling giants live in 100-400 feet of water over sandy or muddy bottoms near structure. Summer offers prime fishing as they move into shallower feeding areas. What draws guests to halibut fishing is the chance at a true trophy and some of the best eating fish in Alaska - firm, white meat that's absolutely delicious. The fight is more of a tug-of-war than speed, but landing a big one is serious work. We use heavy tackle with 1-2 pound weights to get salmon heads or large baits down to them. Key tip: keep your bait moving slightly - halibut are ambush predators that respond to motion.
Oncorhynchus GorbuschaPink salmon, or "humpies," are the bread and butter of Alaska fishing. These smaller salmon average around 5 pounds but make up for size with sheer numbers. They run thick through Ketchikan waters during even-numbered years from mid-July through August. What makes them perfect for beginners is their willingness to bite - they'll hit pink jigs, spoons, and flies without much fuss. The meat has that classic salmon flavor with good omega-3 content. They love cold water and we find them in shallow nearshore areas during their runs. Pro tip: use bright pink or orange lures to mimic the crustaceans they feed on. The action stays consistent once you locate a school, and they're great for getting kids hooked on salmon fishing.
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