Alaska Full Day Charter: Your Best Shot at Salmon
Private Trip
River Fishing
Fullday guided charter targeting salmon and trout in Alaska watersEighthour trips available seasonally from May through midSeptemberAll fishing equipment provided with Captain Nickolas leading expeditions
Picture this: it's 4 a.m., Alaska's wilderness is just waking up, and you're about to spend the next eight hours chasing some of the most prized fish in North America. Captain Nickolas has been running these waters for years, and he knows exactly where the salmon are stacking up. This isn't your typical weekend fishing trip – we're talking about a world-class charter experience that targets five different salmon and trout species in Alaska's pristine waters. From mid-May through mid-September, when the runs are at their peak, you'll have front-row seats to some of the best fishing Alaska has to offer. Whether you're a seasoned angler or someone who's never held a rod, this full-day adventure is designed to put fish in the boat and memories in your back pocket.
We kick things off early – and I mean early. Departure times range from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. depending on tides, weather, and where the fish are biting. Trust me, those pre-dawn starts are worth every minute when you see the sun rise over Alaska's mountains while you're already into the fish. This is an all-inclusive setup, so we've got all your tackle, rods, reels, and terminal gear covered. Captain Nickolas stocks the boat with everything from heavy spinning gear for the big Chinooks to lighter setups perfect for those acrobatic Cohos. The boat's rigged with downriggers, fish finders, and all the electronics you need to locate schools and structure. Since this is a single-angler charter, you get personalized attention – no fighting over the best spots or waiting your turn to cast. Pack some snacks and drinks because eight hours on the water works up an appetite, and don't forget that valid Alaska fishing license – it's required and we can't launch without it.
We run a variety of techniques depending on what's working and what species we're targeting. Trolling is our bread and butter – we'll pull spoons, plugs, and bait behind the boat at different depths to cover water and find active fish. The downriggers let us get our gear down to where the salmon are holding, whether that's 20 feet or 80 feet. When we mark fish on the sonar, we might switch to mooching or drift fishing with herring or salmon roe. Captain Nickolas is big on reading the water and adjusting tactics throughout the day. If the Cohos are surface feeding, we'll throw spinners and spoons on lighter tackle for maximum fight. When we're after those trophy Chinooks, we beef up to heavier gear and larger baits. The beauty of this charter is the flexibility – we're not locked into one method. Alaska's waters change by the hour, and successful fishing means adapting with them. You'll learn techniques that work specifically in these waters, from proper rod handling to setting the hook on different species.
Our target list reads like a who's who of Pacific salmon and trout species. Coho salmon are the acrobats of the bunch – these silver bullets will jump, run, and test every knot on your rig. They typically run 8-12 pounds but fight like fish twice their size. Peak season is July through September when they're fresh from the ocean and full of energy. Chinook salmon are the heavyweights, often called Kings for good reason. These bruisers can push 30-40 pounds and provide the kind of arm-burning fights that anglers dream about. Early season, May through July, is prime time for Kings as they move through on their spawning runs. Steelhead trout are the wild cards – technically ocean-going rainbow trout that hit like freight trains and jump like dolphins. They're around all season but seem to bite best during overcast conditions. Chum salmon, also known as dog salmon, are underrated fighters that show up in good numbers during mid-summer. Sockeye salmon are the table fare champions – their bright red meat is prized by restaurants and home cooks alike. They can be finicky biters, but when they're on, the action is non-stop.
Coho salmon are what most people picture when they think Alaska fishing. These chrome-bright beauties average 8-15 pounds and are known for their aerial displays when hooked. They feed aggressively on small baitfish and will hit everything from spoons to flies to cut herring. What makes Cohos special is their unpredictability – they might be surface feeding one minute and hugging bottom the next. The best part about targeting them is they're cooperative biters and perfect for anglers who want consistent action. Peak time is late July through August when they're staging near river mouths.
Chinook salmon earn their "King" nickname through sheer size and power. These are the fish that bend rods and test drag systems. In Alaska waters, a 20-pounder is considered average, and 30-40 pound fish show up regularly. They prefer deeper water and larger baits – whole herring, big spoons, and heavy plugs. The fight is all about endurance; Chinooks make long, powerful runs that can strip line off your reel in seconds. Early season fishing, May through June, offers the best shot at trophy-sized Kings before they start changing color for spawning.
Steelhead trout are the ultimate game fish – they combine the fighting ability of salmon with the cunning of trout. These sea-run rainbows typically run 6-15 pounds but punch way above their weight class. They're known for their jumping ability and never-give-up attitude. Steelhead can be moody biters, often preferring specific presentations and conditions. When you hook one, expect a fight that involves multiple jumps, long runs, and several false surrenders before you get them to the net.
Step aboard our sturdy 20' Willie Drift Boat, your floating command center for chasing Alaska's legendary salmon runs. This drift boat cuts through river currents with ease while keeping you comfortable during those long stretches between hotspots. When we're targeting Kings and Silvers, you'll be casting from the boat's stable platform, letting the current carry us to where the fish are holding. But don't get too settled – when the Sockeye are running, we'll beach this baby and wade right into the action for some serious bank fishing. The boat comes loaded with top-shelf rods, reels, and tackle, so you can focus on reading the water and setting hooks instead of gear management. Captain Nickolas knows every bend, eddy, and salmon highway on these waters.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights of our waters, and for good reason. These bruisers typically run 12-39 inches and 7-15 pounds, but we regularly see 20-30 pounders that'll test every knot you tied. They're silver-sided with blue-green backs and distinctive black spots on their head, back, and all fins. Since they're light-sensitive, kings hang deep during the day, making weighted gear essential. Early morning and evening are prime time for hookups. What draws people to target them is simple - they're the ultimate Alaska salmon experience with incredible table fare. That reddish-pink meat is worth the effort. Key tip: when trolling or drifting, get your bait down to where they're holding. Surface action might look exciting, but the big kings are hugging bottom.
Oncorhynchus KetaChum salmon are Alaska's underrated warriors that deserve more respect. These fish average 24 inches and 10-20 pounds, showing up silver-blue in salt water but transforming into olive-green with pink stripes when they hit fresh water. Males develop those gnarly hooked snouts and big teeth that make them look prehistoric. They make some of the longest migrations of any salmon, traveling up to 2000 miles to spawn. During our season, you'll find them in 15-40 feet of water, though they move shallower at night. The fight is surprisingly strong, and the meat quality is solid when caught fresh from salt water. What's cool is sight-casting to schools of them. Best trick I can share: don't cast right into the middle of a school - you'll spook them all. Drop your line a few feet off the edge instead.
Oncorhynchus KisutchSilver salmon, as we call them, are some of the most acrobatic fish you'll hook in Alaska waters. These beauties run 12-30 inches and typically weigh 8-12 pounds, with that classic silver body and dark blue-green back. What makes them special is their incredible jumping ability - they can leap 6 feet straight up when hooked. You'll find them in deeper pools and under cover near river mouths during our season, especially from July through September. The fight is what keeps people coming back - they're absolute rockets once they feel the hook. Plus, that bright orange meat makes for amazing dinner. Pro tip: when you see one jump, keep your rod tip low and let the reel do the work. Fighting them with a high rod usually means a lost fish.
Oncorhynchus NerkaRed salmon are Alaska's dining room stars, and once you taste that deep red meat, you'll understand why they command top dollar. These smaller salmon run 18-32 inches and 4-15 pounds, but what they lack in size they make up for in flavor. In the ocean they're blue-green and silver, but when spawning their bodies turn brilliant red with green heads. Unlike other salmon, they don't have black spots except maybe a few specks on their backs. During our May-September season, they swim upriver close to bottom with their mouths constantly opening and closing. The trick is getting your fly right at mouth level - use bigger flies in high water, smaller ones when it's low. That rich, oily flesh is what keeps people coming back. My go-to advice: start with a #6 wet fly and adjust from there based on water conditions.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are basically rainbow trout that decided to hit the gym in the ocean. These sea-run fish come back to our rivers much bigger and stronger than their freshwater cousins, averaging 24 inches but capable of reaching 45 inches. They're silver and streamlined with black spots scattered across their backs. You'll find them holding in deeper runs with good current, often using boulders and fallen trees for cover. Best fishing happens from late summer into fall when they're pushing upriver. What makes them special is their stamina - they can make multiple long runs and fight for what feels like forever. The meat quality is top-notch too. My advice: use a longer rod if you've got one, and don't be afraid to follow a big fish downstream rather than trying to muscle it back up.
Kenai, AK, United States