Alaska trip recommendations or tips?

What’s up everyone? 

I’ve always wanted to fish for halibut in Alaska and i think this is the year I'm going to make it happen. 

I’m looking for any recommendations you’re willing to share. Charters, hotels, or all inclusive lodges… i’m undecided which route to go.

I see crackerjack in Seward has high recommendations.   

Is it best to take my own gear or use what's available on the boat?



Any info would be helpful.  Or if you're going and are looking for someone to fill your private charter, i might be down for that.

The Cracker Jack is a good boat, but one of the cheapest ways to go out of Seward is Millers Landing if you can pilot your own boat. There are also some other local charters to use too. just do your homework.

Going with a lodge is the way to go, but try and find a good one. I used to use one out of Soldotna, but they got bought out and the service went down hill. Their guides are still some of the best, but have gotten a bit lazy in recent times.

One good way to fish up there is create your own trip and call up guide services to take you out. Or just head to a sportsman show and check them out.

Also make sure you head up there when just about everything is biting; like in July. Early July will have the sockeye salmon running in Seward and later will have them heading up the Kenai. Silvers start to gather around the mouth of Resurrection Bay in July too. Real fun to catch on a light rod. Rock fish are all over and if your guide is willing, you can see if you can get into a large lingcod while halibut fishing.

If you want to catch kings then June is good. There aren't as many as there used to be, but in the ocean they abound.

All I really know about fishing Alaska is the Kenai Peninsula, but I've heard Sitka and Ketchican are good too.