Private 32' Crozier Craft Trips in Ketchikan
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 32foot Crozier Craft accommodates up to four guests comfortablyCaptain Mike provides all necessary fishing equipment for seasonal speciesInshore fishing trip targets multiple fish species in Ketchikan waters
Captain Mike's private 32' Crozier Craft puts you right in the heart of some of Alaska's best fishing waters without compromising on comfort or space. This top-rated Ketchikan charter handles up to four anglers, making it perfect for families or small groups who want the personal touch you just can't get on crowded boats. The Tongass Narrows and surrounding waters hold incredible diversity - from feisty pinks in summer runs to barn-door halibut that'll test your drag system. You'll fish with quality gear provided by Captain Mike, who knows these waters like the back of his hand and adapts every trip to what's biting and where the action is hottest.
The 32' Crozier Craft gives you room to move around and fight fish properly - none of that elbow-bumping you get on smaller boats. Captain Mike runs a relaxed operation where beginners feel comfortable asking questions and experienced anglers can focus on technique. Morning departures typically head out into Clarence Strait or work the productive waters near Gravina Island, depending on tides and what species are moving. The boat's electronics help locate bait balls and structure, but Captain Mike's local knowledge is what puts you on fish consistently. Weather protection keeps you comfortable when Southeast Alaska shows its moody side, and the stable platform makes it easier to handle bigger fish when they decide to make long runs.
Most fishing happens trolling with downriggers, letting you present lures at precise depths where salmon and bottom fish are feeding. Captain Mike sets up the spread with proven local patterns - herring strips, spoons, and plugs that produce in these waters. Downriggers take your offerings down 40 to 120 feet where the big chinooks cruise, while surface lines work for cohos and pinks when they're up feeding. Rod setups vary by target species - lighter tackle for pinks and cohos, heavier gear when halibut are the goal. The captain handles all the technical stuff like setting depths and reading the fish finder, so you can concentrate on feeling that telltale thump when a salmon grabs your gear. Bottom fishing for halibut and rockfish means switching to circle hooks with herring or salmon bellies for bait.
Pink salmon arrive in massive numbers during even-numbered years, typically from mid-July through August. These scrappy fighters average 3-5 pounds and hit lures aggressively, making them perfect for kids and anyone who loves constant action. Their runs are so thick you'll often see them jumping and rolling on the surface. Chinook salmon, the true kings of Alaska waters, show up throughout summer with fish ranging from 15-pound jacks to massive 40+ pound spawners. These powerful fish make long runs and test your technique - there's nothing quite like the slow, heavy headshakes of a big king on the line. Pacific halibut offer year-round opportunities, with fish from "chicken" halibut around 10-15 pounds up to genuine barn doors exceeding 100 pounds that require careful planning to boat safely.
Pacific cod provide steady action during cooler months and fight harder than most people expect, often mistaken for small halibut until they come to the surface. Black rockfish school up around structure and offer reliable fishing when salmon are between runs - they're excellent table fare and fun on lighter tackle. Captain Mike knows seasonal patterns and adjusts tactics accordingly, whether that means working deeper water for winter lingcod or hitting the shallows when salmon are staging for spawning runs.
The combination of Captain Mike's expertise and the Crozier Craft's fishability creates trips that consistently produce both fish and great memories. Regular customers appreciate how the captain adapts to changing conditions instead of running the same program every day. When the bite is hot, you'll maximize your time on productive water. When fishing gets tough, Captain Mike switches techniques or locations to keep rods bent. The boat's size means you're not fighting crowds for space at the rail, and there's room to properly photograph your catch before release or icing down keepers for the dinner table.
Families especially love how Captain Mike explains what's happening throughout the day - why certain depths produce, how to read bird activity, and what different fish feel like on the rod tip. The learning experience makes every trip valuable, even when fish are being finicky. Return customers often request specific techniques or target species, and Captain Mike's flexible approach means you can focus on that trophy chinook or load up on pinks for the smoker back home.
Pink salmon might be the smallest Pacific salmon, but they make up for size with pure enthusiasm. These fish hit lures hard and jump repeatedly, earning their nickname "humpies" from the pronounced hump males develop during spawning. Peak runs happen in even years from late July into September, with some days producing 20+ fish per angler. They're perfect for smoking or canning, and their aggressive nature makes them ideal for introducing kids to salmon fishing.
Chinook salmon represent the pinnacle of Alaska fishing - powerful, smart, and absolutely stunning when they come to the boat. Ketchikan's kings average 20-25 pounds, with genuine trophies exceeding 40 pounds caught every season. They prefer deeper water and subtle presentations, often following your lure for long distances before committing. The fight is pure power with deep runs and bulldogging near the boat. Best fishing runs from May through August, with early season fish typically being brighter and stronger.
Pacific halibut are the ultimate bottom predators, growing to massive sizes in Alaska's rich waters. Smaller "chickens" between 10-30 pounds are perfect eating size, while larger fish provide the fight of a lifetime. Halibut fishing requires patience - they often mouth bait gently before taking it
Captain Mike's 32' Crozier Craft is built for serious fishing in Ketchikan's productive waters. This sturdy motorboat comfortably handles up to 4 anglers with plenty of deck space to work the lines and land your catch. The GPS navigation keeps you on the hottest fishing spots while the fish finder reveals what's swimming below. Whether you're after salmon, halibut, or rockfish, this boat's design gives you stability and comfort during those long battles with big fish. The spacious layout means everyone gets their shot at the action without feeling cramped. Captain Mike stocks all the rods, reels, and tackle you'll need to target whatever species are biting that day. Perfect setup for families or small groups wanting to experience Alaska's legendary fishing without the crowds of bigger charter boats.
Sebastes MelanopsBlack rockfish are one of our most reliable species around Ketchikan's rocky structure. These dark, bass-shaped fish average 2-4 pounds and stack up around underwater ledges, kelp beds, and rocky points from 30-200 feet deep. They're active year-round but really turn on during summer when baitfish are thick. Guests appreciate how eager they are to bite and their decent fight for the size. The white meat is firm and mild - great eating. Fair warning: those dorsal spines pack a little venom, so handle with care. My go-to technique is dropping a 2-4 oz jig right into the rocks and working it slow. Don't worry about losing some tackle - that's where the fish live, and black rockfish will nail anything that looks like food.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweight champions of our waters, averaging 15-30 pounds but capable of hitting 50+ pounds. These silver-sided beauties with black-spotted tails prefer deeper water and stronger currents than other salmon. We target them from May through September, with peak action in summer months. Kings are light-sensitive, so they hang deeper during bright days - usually 60-120 feet down. What makes them special is that hard pull when they hit, followed by strong runs that'll test your drag. The rich, orange-red meat is restaurant quality. My advice: get your gear deep early in the morning or late evening, and don't be surprised if a big one strips some line before you boat it.
Gadus MacrocephalusPacific cod are the workhorses of our bottom fishing - reliable, tasty, and always willing to bite. These gray-brown fish with the chin whiskers typically run 8-15 pounds and hang out on muddy bottoms from 100-300 feet deep. They're most active during cooler months, making fall and winter trips productive for filling the cooler. Cod aren't flashy fighters, but they're steady pullers that'll keep kids entertained all day. The white, flaky meat is perfect for fish and chips or chowder. Since they'll eat almost anything, we usually drop down simple jigs tipped with squid or herring. The trick is keeping your bait moving just off the bottom - lift and drop your rod tip every few seconds to get their attention.
Hippoglossus StenolepisHalibut fishing is what brings most folks up here - these flatfish giants can range from "chicken" halibut around 10 pounds up to barn doors over 100 pounds. They live on sandy or muddy bottoms anywhere from 80 to 400 feet deep, using those big eyes to ambush prey swimming overhead. Summer months are prime time when they move into shallower feeding areas. What guests love is never knowing if the next bite will be a nice eater or a fish of a lifetime. The firm white meat is some of the best eating you'll find. Here's the key: once you feel that heavy thump, don't set the hook right away - let them chew on it for a few seconds, then lift steady. They've got tough mouths but they'll spit a hook if you rush them.
Oncorhynchus GorbuschaPink salmon are the smallest Pacific salmon but make up for size with sheer numbers during their runs. Also called humpies for the males' distinctive spawning hump, they average around 5 pounds and love our cold Alaska waters. You'll find them in nearshore areas and river mouths, especially during their peak runs in July and August. These fish are perfect for beginners - they're aggressive biters and put up a decent scrap without being too overwhelming. The meat has that classic pink color from all the crustaceans they eat, making excellent table fare. Pro tip: when they're running thick, try a bright pink jig or hoochie about 20-30 feet down - the flashier the better with these guys.
Ketchikan, AK