Ocean fishing in Alaska - where do you recommened? (Anchorage: rental, hotel)

[homerwallygray]

Hello,

My three friends and I want to plan a fishing trip to AK in the next year or so. We most likely want to fish out of Homer or Sitka (just b/c they seem like the "easiest" to travel to from California).

My question is: where do you recommend to fish and with what company/boat. We don't want to break the bank but maybe something in the $150-$200 per day per person price? I know some places include lodging and food, which I know raises the price. We'd prob like to fish 2-3 days.

Anything will help!

Thanks,
HWG

[Sockeye66]

Can't speak for the fishing part of the question but Anchorage is your "easiest" travel from CA, there is even non-stops from some cities there.

Once you're in Anchorage then a vehicle rental will offer you a number of good areas in on the Kenai Peninsula including Kenai, Seward, and Homer.

Sitka is in SE AK, beautiful area but no road network to mix it up. Even though it's closer to the lower 48 airfare is more costly and most likely changing planes in Seattle.

[rntim]

There are lots of charters here in Sitka-can't recommend one over another. There is a a hostel here that could save you bucks rather than hoteling it. You stay at a lodge, its gonna cost ya. You might look up State of Alaska fish and game so you have an idea of what your licenses and king salmon tag will cost you.

[AKStafford]

Homer isn't easy to get to...
I would say fly into Anchorage and rent a car. Do you halibut fishing an hour south out of Whittier. Crazy Ray's is who I'd recommend, but there's plenty of others.

[Parnassia]

You can fly to Homer from Anchorage. You can drive to Homer from Anchorage. Same for Seward. Comparatively speaking, having two ways to reach a place up here makes it easy. Flying in to Anchorage does give you more options and the flights may be cheaper.

OP you can also get charters out of Kenai which is closer to Anchorage than Homer or Seward would be...you can either drive or fly there from Anchorage. Not sure, but some outfitters may offer shuttle service too. Lots of charters operating out in Cook Inlet and you can also fish the Kenai River, plus have a nice look at big volcanoes while you're at it.

[WyoNewk]

It would cost a little more, but give this some thought: Katmai National Park/Brooks Falls.

I spent 3 years in Alaska, then finally came back several years later to experience Katmai. It was worth the wait.

I got my private pilot license while living there. (Started training before.) I flew into lots of fishing spots, and I won't say where on here, but a half hour flight out of Anchorage gives you quite a few options. Still, nothing else ever came close to Katmai. I'm 73 y.o., have fished all over Wyoming, Montana, Canada and Alaska, not to mention a few other states, but Katmai/Brooks Camp is the most memorable by far. Oh my! The bears! Whew! The fish!


Oh, son-of-a-gun! I somehow missed the "ocean fishing" requirement. But I'll let this stand, because Katmai beats any ocean fishing I've ever done. Consider it.

https://www.nps.gov/katm/planyourvis...r-watching.htm