[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_custom_heading text=”Ketchikan Halibut Fishing Charters: Summer Pleasure”][vc_column_text]If you are looking for a Ketchikan halibut fishing charters and someone who likes doing things in the great outdoors, Alaska is the place for you. Whether you enjoy camping, hiking, or hunting, there are countless options available for days, weeks, or even months of adventure.
One of the most engaging and exciting outdoor activities enjoyed in Alaska is fishing. In the cold north, the ocean is full of large, healthy fish, and you never know what you’ll reel in.
The Alaskan coastline extends for 6,640 miles, making it longer than the rest of the United States’ coastlines put together. At nearly the southernmost point of that coastline lies the little town of Ketchikan, Alaska – a town that was made for fishing.
Ketchikan is a frequent stop for cruise ships, but it is also vacation-worthy on its own. This tiny town of just over 8,000 residents gets over a million visitors a year. Although people visit for many different reasons, charter fishing in Ketchikan is one of the biggest draws.
Read on to learn all about charter fishing in Ketchikan, and about fishing for halibut there in particular.[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”20″][image_with_animation image_url=”6301″ alignment=”center” animation=”Fade In” img_link_large=”yes” border_radius=”20px” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”20″][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” width=”1/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_custom_heading text=”Visiting Ketchikan”][vc_column_text]Ketchikan is not easy to reach. It is located on an island called Revillagigedo Island, and it only has thirty-two miles of roads. Ketchikan must be visited by boat or by seaplane. Once you get there, however, you will find a picturesque fishing village. There is a lot to do in Ketchikan, despite its small stature.
In Ketchikan, there is a wide variety of fantastic restaurants and shopping opportunities. The Ketchikan Visitor’s Bureau is happy to answer any questions you may have about the area, the culture of the local people, the weather, and fun activities to fill your time.
In addition to eating, shopping, and going on a Ketchikan halibut fishing charters, there are many other things to see and do while you are in town. You can visit the Potlatch Totem Park and the Southeast Alaska Discovery Centre to learn about local culture. If you want to take a hike, you can check out the trails in the Tongass National Forest.
Most people who visit Ketchikan arrive by cruise ship. In fact, about one million of the 1.1 million people who visit annually visit as cruisers. However, there are other ways to get there too. You can take a private charter boat, but that will be very expensive. More people opt to fly in via seaplane or take a ferry.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” width=”1/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_custom_heading text=”All About Halibut”][vc_column_text]One of the most popular fish for charter fishing in Ketchikan and Alaska, in general, is halibut. The main reason for this is the length of the halibut season. Halibut in Alaska can be fished from February to December.
Most tourists do not come fishing in Alaska in the winter months, but the weather in Ketchikan can be quite pleasant in the summertime. There is plenty of halibut to catch near Ketchikan year-round.
Halibut are bottom fish and love the cold water. They will eat almost any small fish or animal, and as a result, they can grow quite large. The world’s largest halibut on record was caught in Norway in July of 2013. It weighed 515 pounds and was 8.6 feet long.
Oasis Alaska Charter, while on one of our Ketchikan halibut fishing charters, caught a beast of a halibut that weighed in at 333 punds.
These fish spend most of their time at the bottom, but they sometimes swim upward to feed. They can live at bottom depths of several meters to several hundred meters. Halibut are close to the top of the food chain but do have predators such as sharks, killer whales, and sea lions, in addition to humans.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_custom_heading text=”Tips for Charter Fishing in Ketchikan”][vc_column_text]The halibut fishing in Ketchikan is great. People come from all over the world to catch some halibut here and enjoy much success when doing so. Although halibut can be somewhat difficult to catch, with the right equipment, tips, and charter guides, you can catch a fish (or several!) to be proud of.
Getting an Alaskan Fishing License
Just like anywhere else, in order to fish in Alaska, you will need to purchase a fishing license. Because of the popularity of fishing in this state, fishing licenses are available almost everywhere. You can buy one at the bait shop, at the corner store, online, or in many cases, right on your charter fishing vessel.
Alaska is aware that many of the people engaging in fishing are just visiting for a day or two, so they offer a number of short-term fishing license options. One day is just $25 and three days costs only $45. You can buy a license for a week for $70 or for two weeks for $105. Beyond that, you might as well just buy an annual pass; they cost only $145.
All visitors over the age of 16 who wish to fish must purchase a license. For Alaska residents, no license is necessary until age 18.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_custom_heading text=”Best Time of Year for Halibut”][vc_column_text]Again, the halibut season in Alaska is quite long, but most people don’t enjoy fishing during the frigid winter months. The halibut season goes from February to December, but the peak months for this fish are during the most beautiful part of the year – summertime. You will have the best chance of catching some good-sized halibut during July and August. Are you ready to go on a Ketchikan Halibut Fishing Charters?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_custom_heading text=”Finding Good Spots”][vc_column_text]Your captain will know some of the best spots for halibut fishing, so trust him or her. You may not have to go far in the summertime, but if you are fishing in the spring or fall, you may need to travel a bit further from the dock to the best spots.
Most halibut caught in Alaska are caught on anchor. A chum bag will help draw them to your boat and will encourage them to become interested in what you have to offer.
Patience is essential but also knowing when to move. If you are not having much luck after a half hour or so, consider trying someplace new.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_custom_heading text=”Tricks to Attract & Catch Halibut”][vc_column_text]When you hire a fishing charter in Ketchikan, your captain and guides will know several fantastic tricks they can share with you. They have a great deal of experience fishing in Alaska and will do all they can to help you find success.
For bait, you will probably want to consider herring or salmon. Halibut love both of these fish and will come from the deep to gobble them up. Filets tend to send out more scent than steaks; you can try both and see which gets better results.
Another bait idea is to try using whole salmon heads. These may help to attract the bigger halibut of the deep.
You’ll want to use sharp hooks. It can be difficult to hook a halibut, and even slightly dull hooks may keep you from catching the big one.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_custom_heading text=”How to Clean Halibut”][vc_column_text]When you catch a halibut when you go charter fishing in Ketchikan, the boat’s staff will often offer to clean the fish for you. If you are staying in the area, you will undoubtedly want to enjoy dining on the fresh fish you caught while you are in town. Cleaning a halibut can be tricky because it is such a slim, flatfish, but with the right technique, it can be done.
If you are returning to a cruise ship after your charter, you may not want or be able to take your fish back with you on board. In these cases, there are many services in Ketchikan that will help you package your fish for shipping, and you can reunite with it and enjoy it when you get back home.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_custom_heading text=”Ways to Prepare Halibut”][vc_column_text]Halibut is a tasty, healthy fish with a lot of protein. It is very versatile and there are many ways to prepare it. Halibut can be baked, broiled, grilled, deep-fried, or pan-seared, and it is simply scrumptious any of these ways.
A chef must be careful when preparing it, though; unlike other fish, halibut contains very little oil, and because of that, it can dry out fast. Be sure to use a lot of oil or to marinate your fish before putting it on the heat.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_custom_heading text=”Happy Fishing”][vc_column_text]If you try charter fishing in Ketchikan, you will have a fantastic experience that you will never forget. There is nothing quite like being on the deck of an Alaskan fishing charter boat and getting that first little nibble.
Once your giant halibut takes the bait, your heart will race as you reel it in. The beauty that you will catch will be “the best fishing trip ever” story fodder for years or even decades to come.
The halibut off the coast of Ketchikan, Alaska are swimming around right now waiting for you. So what are you waiting for? Book a private, charter fishing trip in Ketchikan today for next summer, and catch some halibut with us![/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”20″][nectar_btn size=”small” button_style=”regular” button_color_2=”Accent-Color” icon_family=”none” url=”https://www.oasisalaskacharters.com/book-your-trip/” text=”Book Today!”][/vc_column][/vc_row]