Private 32' Crozier Craft Trips in Ketchikan
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 32' Crozier Craft accommodates up to 4 guests comfortablyCaptain Mike provides all necessary fishing equipment for seasonal speciesInshore fishing trip targets multiple fish varieties around Ketchikan
When you're looking for a fishing charter that gives you room to move around and the stability to handle Alaska's waters, Captain Mike's 32-foot Crozier Craft is exactly what you need. This isn't your typical cramped fishing boat experience – we're talking about a spacious vessel that lets up to four anglers fish comfortably without bumping elbows. Whether you're bringing the family or a group of fishing buddies, this private charter puts you right where the fish are biting in some of Ketchikan's most productive waters. Captain Mike knows these Southeast Alaska waters like the back of his hand, and he'll have all the gear you need to make the most of your day on the water.
The moment you step aboard this well-maintained Crozier Craft, you'll notice the difference a bigger boat makes. The extra deck space means you can actually move around while fighting a fish, and the higher sides give you confidence when the seas pick up. Captain Mike runs a clean operation – all the rods, reels, tackle, and bait are provided, so you just need to show up ready to fish. The boat's electronics are top-notch, with fish finders and GPS that help locate the schools and structure where salmon and bottom fish hang out. You'll spend your day cruising between proven fishing spots, from salmon runs near creek mouths to deeper water where halibut and rockfish patrol the bottom. The captain adjusts the game plan based on tides, weather, and what's been biting lately, so every trip feels fresh and targeted.
Captain Mike runs a mixed-bag approach that keeps things interesting all day long. For salmon, you'll be trolling with downriggers and divers, pulling herring, spoons, and hoochies at different depths until you find where the fish are holding. The boat carries quality tackle – think Scotty downriggers and Penn reels that can handle anything from a scrappy coho to a monster king salmon. When targeting bottom fish like halibut and rockfish, you'll switch to heavy jigs and circle hooks, dropping straight down to structure in 100-200 feet of water. The captain provides different weight classes of gear depending on what you're after – lighter setups for salmon and pink salmon, and heavier tackle when you're hunting for those barn-door halibut. Bait selection varies with the season, but expect fresh herring, anchovies, and proven lures that have been producing in local waters.
Pink salmon are the bread and butter during summer runs, usually peaking from July through September. These feisty fish might be the smallest Pacific salmon, but they make up for size with sheer numbers and fight. You'll find them schooling in massive groups near stream mouths, and when you hit a school, it's fish-on every drop. They're perfect for kids and beginners because they bite aggressively and don't require heavy tackle.
Chinook salmon are the crown jewel of Alaska fishing – these kings can push 30-50 pounds and will test your arms and your drag system. Peak season runs from May through August, with the biggest fish often caught in deeper water. When you hook into a king, expect a battle that could last 20 minutes, with deep runs and head-shaking jumps that'll get your adrenaline pumping.
Pacific halibut are the ultimate bottom fish prize, with keeper-sized fish starting at 28 inches but commonly running 40-100 pounds in these waters. They're available year-round but fish best during summer months when they move into shallower feeding areas. Landing a halibut feels like pulling up a barn door – they're pure dead weight until they see the boat, then they'll make one last powerful run that tests everything.
Pacific cod provide consistent action when salmon fishing slows down. These bottom dwellers hit jigs and bait hard, usually in the 5-15 pound range. They're excellent table fare and often save the day when other species aren't cooperating. Look for them around rocky structure and drop-offs where they hunt for smaller fish and crabs.
Black rockfish round out the mixed bag, offering steady action on lighter tackle. These reef fish typically run 2-8 pounds and school up around underwater structure. They're aggressive biters and excellent eating, making them a customer favorite when you want to fill the cooler with fillets.
Captain Mike's private 32-foot Crozier Craft offers the perfect combination of comfort, space, and fishing success that keeps anglers coming back year after year. With room for up to four guests, professional-grade equipment, and a captain who knows where the fish are biting, you're set up for a world-class Alaska fishing experience. The larger boat means you'll fish in comfort regardless of conditions, and the private charter format lets you fish at your own pace without dealing with crowds. Whether you're targeting trophy kings, filling the cooler with salmon, or hunting for a halibut for the wall, this trip delivers the authentic Alaska fishing adventure you're looking for. Don't wait – peak fishing seasons book up fast, and the best bite windows won't wait around.
Captain Mike's 32-foot Crozier Craft is built for serious fishing in Ketchikan's productive waters. This spacious motorboat comfortably handles up to 4 anglers with room to move around while fighting fish. The onboard GPS keeps you on the best fishing spots, while the fish finder helps locate schools and structure where salmon, halibut, and rockfish hang out. With plenty of deck space for casting and landing your catch, this boat gives you the stability and comfort of a larger vessel without feeling cramped. All fishing gear is provided, so you just need to show up ready to fish. Whether you're targeting kings in the spring or silvers in the fall, this craft handles Ketchikan's inshore waters with ease.
Sebastes MelanopsBlack rockfish are the reliable producers around Ketchikan's rocky structure - these dark, bass-shaped fish average 2-5 pounds and live around reefs, jetties, and kelp beds from 30-200 feet deep. They're year-round residents but bite best during summer when they're actively feeding near the surface. What makes them popular with families is their aggressive nature - they'll hit jigs, bait, pretty much anything that moves. The firm white meat fillets up nicely and tastes great fried or baked. These fish school up tight around structure, so when you hook one, drop back down quick for more. Be careful of their venomous spines - they won't kill you but they'll ruin your day. My favorite technique is vertical jigging with small lead-head jigs in white or chartreuse. Keep the jig moving and stay right on the rocks where they live.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights of Alaska fishing - these silver bullets can run 15-40 pounds with some monsters pushing 50-plus. They cruise deeper waters along drop-offs and kelp beds, usually 60-150 feet down where the big baitfish hang out. Best fishing runs May through August when they're following herring schools toward spawning rivers. Kings fight harder and longer than any salmon, making powerful runs that'll test your drag. The rich, red meat is pure gold on the dinner table. They're sensitive to light so early morning and evening bites are prime time. My go-to setup is a large herring behind a dodger, but here's the secret - add some Pro-Cure herring scent to your bait. These fish hunt by smell in deeper water and that extra scent makes all the difference.
Gadus MacrocephalusPacific cod are the workhorses of Alaska bottom fishing - reliable, plentiful, and great eating. These grey-brown fish with barbels on their chins typically run 8-15 pounds and live on sandy bottoms in 100-300 feet of water. They're year-round residents but fish best during summer when they're actively feeding on herring, crab, and squid. Cod aren't flashy fighters but they're steady pullers that keep the rod bent. The flaky white meat is perfect for fish and chips or fish tacos. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit almost anything you drop down - jigs, cut bait, even bare hooks sometimes. What guests love is the consistent action - when you find cod, you usually find lots of them. Here's my trick: use a heavy jig tipped with squid and bounce it right off the bottom. Cod are lazy and won't chase a bait that's too high up.
Hippoglossus StenolepisPacific halibut are the barn doors of Alaska fishing - these massive flatfish can weigh anywhere from 20 pounds to over 200 pounds, with the occasional giant pushing 300-plus. They live on sandy and muddy bottoms in 100-400 feet of water, ambushing prey from below. Summer months offer the best action when they move into shallower feeding areas. What makes halibut fishing addictive is the surprise factor - you never know if that tug is a 30-pounder or a potential world record. The pure white meat is some of the finest eating fish in the ocean. These bottom dwellers are patient hunters, so expect a waiting game. Pro tip: once you feel a bite, let the fish run with it for 10-15 seconds before setting the hook. Halibut like to grab bait sideways and need time to turn it around and swallow it properly.
Oncorhynchus GorbuschaPink salmon, also called humpies, are Alaska's most abundant salmon and perfect for families getting into fishing. These scrappy fighters average 4-5 pounds and show up in massive schools during summer runs, usually July through September. You'll find them in nearshore waters and river mouths around Ketchikan, where they're feeding on small fish and crustaceans before heading upstream. What makes them special is their willingness to bite - they're aggressive feeders that'll hit bright pink jigs, small spoons, or herring. The meat has that classic pink color and mild flavor that even kids love. Here's the trick: when the schools are thick, use a small pink hoochie about 3-4 feet behind a flasher. The commotion drives them crazy and you'll often double up.
Ketchikan, AK