Alaska Halibut Fishing Charters

Alaska halibut fishing trips are in a league of their own. Halibut are world renowned as a premium fish to eat, but many people take for granted what it takes to get one of these behemoths to the boat. The average size of a sport caught halibut on an Alaska fishing charter is usually between 20 to 40 lbs, but these flat fish have the capacity to reach 100's of lbs, with the biggest sport caught halibut in Alaska tipping the scales at 459 lbs!

The halibut's lair is typically on the bottom of the ocean floor. Down there, they can take advantage of their flat bodies and camouflaged topside to stalk their prey. Halibut congregate around the ocean shelves bordering steep drop offs and rocky outcropping's where bait is drawn.

Halibut are opportunist and when hungry, will eat just about anything; however, some of their favorite foods are herring, shrimp, cod, squid and octopus. Once you have hooked your Alaska halibut, it takes more than just muscle to pull a monster halibut from the bottom of the ocean. It takes perseverance and a strong resolve. A fish like this can bring you to a breaking point, making you want to give up, but just when you think you cannot reel anymore, someone says "they see color" and out of the depths appears your halibut! It's up to you to give one final effort to get this thing in the boat while the captain readies his harpoon or gaff hook in order to land the fish.

Once the halibut is subdued, it is bled and put on ice to keep it fresh. It sometimes looks brutal, but if you think you have got what it takes to slug it out with one of these flatfish...then you are ready for a Ketchikan, Alaska halibut fishing charter.

Halibut Fishing Techniques

Halibut fishing in Alaska most often takes place in depths from 150 to 400 feet. Anchoring is usually the most effective way to fish for halibut, but drifting is done as well and is helpful in finding where the fish are congregating. Getting down to these depths requires the use of 24 to 32 oz leads. Along with the leads, we use 14/0 to 16/0 circle hooks and 7/0 to 9/0 double hook rigs. Jigs in the shape of squids and grub tails can be extremely effective as well. These jigs move through the water with life like motion, triggering tentative halibut to strike. While many fishermen use a gun to disengage a big halibut, we use a harpoon attached to a rope and buoy. Once the halibut has been harpooned, he is unable to swim back down to the bottom of the ocean. The fish becomes worn out and our final step is to bleed him.

View our fish calendar for peak fishing times in Ketchikan, Alaska

Salty Sea Charters • Po Box 23277 • Ketchikan, Alaska 99901 • ph 907-247-2918 • cell 907-617-5673 saltyseacharters@yahoo.com

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