Alaska Trips...anyone done one and give recommendations

Anything any of you could recommend as the absolute must have item?

Absolutely the best raingear you can buy. I lived in a set of helly hansens (bibs & jacket) layered with fleece, and xtratuf boots for most of the summer while I was there.

Since airlines have cut back on baggage allowances it's harder to get fish home. If they do give a free 2nd bag use it for fish. 50#'s is a lot of fillets. Or FedEx your baggage at the end of the trip and take the fish on the plane
Shakespeare makes a decent medium action travel rod, good for river fishing or smaller salmon (pinks & chum. Otherwise buy a heavy duty travel rod for about $200. Check the section dimensions to make sure it fits in your suitcase.
I've been thinking  of going back. My dream trip would involve flying in to Ketchikan and taking the ferry to other locations. That way you can visit these small  communities and do some sightseeing at your own pace. Either make the loop back to Ketchikan or finish in Juneau for the flight back

Alaska Air doesn't have free baggage any more, unless you fly first class.  You pay $20 a bag.  That being said, rod tubes under a certain length are not considered oversized AND you can pack a tackle bag and they'll consider the 2 pieces as only 1 bag.  Most of the time, the checker at the counter doesn't know this and you have to gently remind them.

From ... http://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/policies/baggage-sporting-equipment.aspx

Fishing
One piece of fishing equipment is defined as two rods, two reels, and one tackle box. Fishing equipment may exceed 62 linear inches, but no more than 115 linear inches, without incurring an oversize fee.

Note that I've never had them open up the rod tube and count, otherwise they would have found 1/2 dozen or more rods in it!   

-Allen

A case of deep woods OFF! 

Big X2 on the heavy duty rain gear and Xtra-Tuffs, along with fingerless wool gloves.  I brought my packable fly rod and a small assortment of tackle, but relied on my buddy up there for all the big stuff.  I also brought my .40 along, read up on the regs as I'm sure they have changed but I was able to put it in a locked case, in my checked bag (had to notify the gal at the counter as soon as I walked into the airport, then take it all out, they look at it and put a tag on it, then lock it up and back into the bag).  Didn't have any problems. 

Between my buddy and I we brought back 150 lbs of frozen vacuum sealed fillets, with each taking a 50 lb box for our free 2nd checked 'bag', then split the charge on the extra box.  Waaaaay cheaper than FedEx, even if they now charge for all bags.  The boxes of fish came out of the freezer at 5am, sat on a cart until we boarded at 10am, flight was to Sac, then the drive up to Redding put us home at 9pm. Opened the boxes, the fish was still rock solid.

I brought back 150 pounds (3 boxes) and it cost me $50.00 a box on Alaska Airlines. I'm planning on 4 in 2013. 200 pounds at an average of  $30.00 a pound make justification for the 5K I spend each trip.

It is funny. I said I'd only do this as a once in a lifetime trip. I'm going for my fifth time next year. All I have to say, "is you just can go once!" It gets addicting catching over 50 12 pound sockeyes in a few hours right off the lodeges back dock. Then challenge yourself with 50 pound salmon and lingcod.

No sleep, and lots of fishing 

I'm so going.

Guys this information has been invaluable to me and GF.  Please keep posting, I am sure others are interested in what you who have been there can pass on to us newbs.  I'm so not worthy...lol