Salmon/Halibut Combo Fishing in Ketchikan
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target salmon, halibut, and rockfish on inshore watersSmall group experience with maximum two guests aboardComplete fishing equipment and gear provided by crew
Looking for an authentic Alaskan fishing adventure that delivers both variety and action? This combo trip puts you right in the heart of some of Southeast Alaska's most productive waters. You'll have shots at multiple species in a single day – from hard-fighting salmon to barn door halibut that'll test your drag system. Perfect for small groups who want a personalized experience without the crowds of larger charter boats.
This is classic Southeast Alaska inshore fishing at its finest. We're talking about working the inside waters around Ketchikan where the salmon runs funnel through and halibut patrol the rocky drop-offs. With just two anglers max, you'll get the attention you deserve and plenty of room to work your lines without tangling up with other folks. The bite can happen fast out here – one minute you're working a salmon school, the next you've got a lingcod crushing your jig on the way up. That's the beauty of combo fishing in these waters. We'll move around based on what's biting, hitting different spots throughout the day to maximize your chances. Don't worry about bringing anything – we've got you covered with quality rods, reels, tackle, and all the gear you need for a successful day.
We fish these waters year-round, so we know what works and when to use it. For salmon, we'll be trolling with downriggers, pulling spoons and hoochies at the right depths where the fish are traveling. When we're targeting halibut, we switch to bottom fishing with circle hooks and fresh bait – usually herring or salmon belly. The rockfish and lingcod are opportunistic, so they'll often hit whatever we're using, but sometimes we'll drop jigs specifically for them around structure. The great thing about inshore fishing here is the variety – we can adjust our approach based on tides, weather, and what the fish are telling us. These aren't deep sea techniques; we're working relatively shallow waters where you can actually see the bottom on the fish finder and watch your line disappear into kelp beds and rocky pinnacles.
Chinook Salmon are the kings of these waters for good reason. These bruisers can push 30+ pounds and they'll take line like freight trains when they're fresh from the ocean. Peak season runs from May through September, with the biggest fish typically showing up mid-summer. What makes them special is their fighting ability – they'll sound deep, make long runs, and jump when they're mad. Plus, the meat quality is unmatched for the dinner table. Pacific Halibut are the real crowd pleasers on these combo trips. We're talking about fish that can range from "chicken" halibut around 10-15 pounds up to genuine "barn doors" over 100 pounds. They're available year-round but summer months offer the most consistent action. The fight is different from salmon – more of a bulldogging battle that'll wear out your arms and test your patience. Black Rockfish are the steady producers when other species get finicky. They school up around rocky areas and kelp beds, and once you find them, you can usually count on consistent action. They're excellent table fare and fight harder than their size suggests. Lingcod are the ambush predators of the bunch – ugly as sin but pure muscle when hooked. They'll crush jigs and whole baits around structure, and landing a 20+ pound "ling" is something you won't forget. Pacific Cod round out the mix as solid fighters and excellent eating. They're more common in winter months but can show up any time of year around the right structure.
This combo approach gives you the best shot at multiple species without having to choose just salmon or just halibut. With a two-person capacity, you're getting a semi-private charter experience at a fraction of the cost of booking an entire boat. The Alaska Catch knows these waters inside and out, and they'll put you on fish while sharing local knowledge that only comes from years of working these spots. Whether you're visiting Ketchikan for the first time or you're a regular who wants to try something different, this trip delivers the variety that makes Southeast Alaska fishing legendary. Book early, especially during peak season – word gets around fast about productive trips, and the best dates fill up quick.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard a well-equipped motorboat designed for Alaska's productive inshore waters. This comfortable vessel handles Ketchikan's coastal conditions with ease while you target salmon, halibut, and rockfish in the region's prime fishing spots. The boat features everything serious anglers need - a reliable fish finder to locate schools beneath the surface, GPS navigation to hit the best fishing grounds, and an onboard ice box to keep your catch fresh throughout the day. A private toilet adds comfort during longer fishing sessions. Built for small groups of up to 2 guests, this boat provides an intimate fishing experience where you'll have plenty of room to work your lines and land those prized Alaska fish. The captain knows these waters inside and out, positioning you over productive bottom structure and current breaks where the big ones feed.
Sebastes MelanopsBlack rockfish are scrappy fighters that punch above their weight class in Ketchikan waters. Usually running 2-5 pounds, they make up for size with attitude and great eating. You'll find them around rocky reefs, jetties, and structure from 20-200 feet deep. They're available year-round but fish best in summer and fall when they're more active. What makes them fun is their aggressive nature - they'll hit almost any bait or lure you drop down. The meat is firm and mild, perfect for any recipe. They often school up, so catching one usually means more nearby. Pro tip: use medium tackle with sensitive tips to feel their subtle bites, and fish right on the rocks where they hide. Jigs work great, but watch out for their venomous spines when handling - they can give you a painful sting.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the prize catch around Ketchikan waters - these silver bullets with black spots can weigh 15-40 pounds, with some monsters pushing 60+. They're incredibly strong fighters that'll test your gear and stamina. We target them in deeper water columns where they cruise looking for herring and other baitfish. Early morning and evening are prime times, especially during summer runs from May through September. What makes kings special is their rich, orange-red meat that's unbeatable on the dinner table. They're also light-sensitive, so they often stay deeper during bright days. My go-to tip: when trolling, don't set the hook too hard on the initial strike - let them take the bait and load up the rod before setting firmly. These fish are worth the wait.
Ophiodon ElongatusLingcod are some of the most unique fish you'll encounter around Ketchikan's rocky reefs. These aren't actually cod but greenlings with massive heads, razor-sharp teeth, and an attitude to match. They typically run 15-25 pounds but can hit 50+ in our deeper waters. You'll find them camouflaged on rocky bottoms from 30-300 feet, ambushing anything that swims by. They're aggressive fighters that won't give up easily once hooked. Best fishing is summer through fall when they're more active. What makes them special is their firm, white meat that's perfect for the table. Pro tip: use heavy jigs and bounce them right on the bottom - lingcod hate anything invading their territory and will strike hard. Just watch those teeth when landing one!
Gadus MacrocephalusPacific cod are solid, reliable fish that make great table fare and fun catching around Ketchikan. They average 5-15 pounds but can reach 30+, with firm white meat that's perfect for fish and chips. You'll find them near the bottom in 60-300 feet over sandy or muddy areas. They're not the strongest fighters, but they're plentiful and eager biters year-round, with winter being particularly good. What guests enjoy is their willingness to bite almost anything and their excellent eating quality. They're also great for kids since they don't require heavy tackle. These fish are opportunistic feeders that will grab squid, herring, or jigs. Local tip: use a 1-2 pound weight to get down fast and bounce your bait right on the bottom - cod are lazy and won't chase food very far up in the water column.
Hippoglossus StenolepisPacific halibut are the barn doors of Alaska fishing - these flatfish can reach 100+ pounds and provide an epic battle from the deep. Most fish we catch run 20-40 pounds, but landing a true "barn door" over 100 is always possible. They live on sandy and muddy bottoms from 150-500 feet, using their camouflage to ambush prey. Summer months are prime time when they move into shallower feeding areas. What guests love is the serious fight they put up and the fantastic eating - firm, white fillets that are hard to beat. They're also great for families since they're easier to hook than some species. Key tip: once you feel that first thump, keep steady pressure and pump-and-wind to bring them up. Don't rush it - these fish can turn a quick fight into a marathon.
Ketchikan, AK