I am headed up to Alaska this Sunday to doc Warners in the excursion inlet. My father in law has been fishing up there for years without ever inviting me. The big jerk has invited just about every one of his friends except me and any of his sons or son in laws. Last time he was up there he's hot 263 pound halibut. So this time around we're going to put a little wager on the fish catch. IfI catch a bigger fish than 263 pounds, then he's buying a trip for next year for me. If he catches a fish bigger than 263 pounds and I'm buying a trip for him. The difference is, he has money to pay for it and I don't.We plan on targeting halibut, salmon and whatever other species of fish that are worth targeting up there.
The biggest problem is I've never been to Alaska and haven't have the slightest clue on how to fish for these fish.
I'm calling out all my big fish tackle resources and friends to try and give me techniques and pointers that will help up my catch ratio.
thanks to all you guys to give me a little help!
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Only tip I could give you is to back out of the wager!
Seriously though, all I know of Alaska fishing is what I've seen on Deadliest Catch. Hope others can be of more help!
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served a mission up there for the lds church and was given permission to go on charters. the two times I went the big fish were all caught on larger bait. When my family came to pick me up we fished out of Homer. My brother used half a silver salmon to catch the largest fish out of our group 150 lbs. Wish I could tell you more but that is all my experience. The only down side is that if the fish are not big enough you get to just sit there and watch your rod do nothing. Other than that good luck and have fun. just make sure to take some dremamine so you don't have to chum for free.
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I've fished for Halibut up there and don't think the odds of getting another one that big are very good. I think your money (and his) are safe for a few years.
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Half of a herring (bottom half) cut at an angle is what I use up there with a 4-5oz bannana lead weight. Hell just going out in the morning to catch herring is a blast. Hard not to be fun when you can catch 8-12 herring at a time and can fill 3 five gallon buckets in a half hour. My lifetime biggest has been 360lbs caught back in 2009. Have fun!
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Go out towards Adolphus Pt. and load up on some fresh herring, they hang on the hook much better. Also have the dock boys save you a few salmon bellies to cut into bait.
Go down to Cabelas before you go and purchase chartreuse, white, and glow in the dark grub tails. You should get 4" - 6" for sure and maybe go bigger if you can find them.
You also need to get some 12 oz and 16 oz jig heads. Bounce those big jigs with a large strip of salmon belly and a half a herring hooked on behind the large curly grub tail.
The biggest fish up there will consistently be there off adolphus point when the tide change causes a serious rip current. It is hard fishing conditions, but when I worked up there we brought in some real hogs right in that area. The nice thing about the jig setup is you can set the hook. You have to set it like an SOB but it is a lot of fun to set the hook instead of waiting for the fish to swallow the circle hook.
FYI though, I will be super surprised if either of you catch one over 150 pounds, let alone 263. Don't stress the bet, your father in law rigged it in such a way that niether of you is likely to hit the mark. [
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I worked in AK as a guide for 5 years and have gone up on trips 3 other times. The biggest I ever personally caught was 155. The biggest in my boat went 240. You are not in the super trophy halibut areas there in around Doc's. They get some big fish at Doc's don't get me worng, but they are the exception and not the rule. If you want to consistently hammer 200+ lb fish you have to be out on the pacific side of those islands. And you better have a strong stomach cause you will be fishing in constant swells.
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I got back last night from there. The biggest fish for the year out of Seward was something like 283 lbs. Ours averaged about 20-25 lbs. There was some which came in at 40 lbs we saw as we watched the guides come in and hang their fish for pics. If you catch one that's 90 lbs I'd consider yourself pretty darn lucky.
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