Ketchikan self guided fishing recommendations

[Bachto]

I am looking at doing a self guided fishing trip in Ketchikan next summer. I have looked a lot of different outfits that do self guided/boat rentals and lodging. I wanted to see if anyone has done a self guided trip in Ketchikan specifically, I read some forums about people recommending a place (Doc something?) that I believe was outside Juneau. I am not really open to going anywhere other than Ketchikan. Me and my dad have driven from Washington towing our boat to Prince Ruppert (spelling?), hoped on the ferry and fished Ketchikan for a couple weeks many times. Well now the PR border crossing is closed and my dad sold his boat to get a larger ocean boat sometime in the future. So I am SUPER familiar with the water and area in Ketchikan for fishing and flights out of Seattle are as low as $200 round trip.

Anyone used any of the outfits there and can give me their experience and recommendation? Right now I am looking at Explore Alaska Charters.

 

[FLATHEAD]

We went in early June few years back to Juneau.
Dog Salmon w/some Kings mixed in, Cutthroat, and Dolly Varden.
Fished around the hatchery, and any little creeks and a lake N. of town.
Fish were everywhere.
Hard to not catch fish.

 

[Bachto]

We went in early June few years back to Juneau.
Dog Salmon w/some Kings mixed in, Cutthroat, and Dolly Varden.
Fished around the hatchery, and any little creeks and a lake N. of town.
Fish were everywhere.
Hard to not catch fish.

Looking more for peoples experience with the facility/outfit rather than the fishing. I know the fishing well in southern Alaska.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Then disregard what I said.

 

[Hoosker Doo]

I'm looking at doing the same thing this summer. Did you end up going? Any recommendations?

 

[Bachto]

I'm looking at doing the same thing this summer. Did you end up going? Any recommendations?

We pushed it to this summer and ended up switching from Ketchikan to Sitka even though I initially didn't want to. We are renting boats with Fish Baranof and will be there the first week of August. My dads coworker has done this before. We ended up booking this a year in advance and it sounds like that is pretty normal from talking to the guy from Fish Baranof. Also flights are limited and those fill up pretty quick is also what he told me.

I will give a report when we get back though!

 

[adieatrick]

Home

Full-service marina in Ketchikan, Alaska featuring a huge charter fleet, skiff rentals, condo accommodations, and liquor store

www.knudsoncove.com

You're likely not in time for booking though for 25. This place fills up very fast and opens up November 1st the year prior to their repeat clients. This is the only place in Ketchikan I know of that does the self guided thing. We have been multiple times...and would highly recommend Baranoff. Not cheap, but damn. We brought home over 700 lbs this last summer.

 

[adieatrick]

 

[Britt-dog]

Clover Pass

 

[Hoosker Doo]

Clover Pass

I actually just booked with them today for the last week of July? Did you fish with them? Feel free to PM if you prefer

 

[Bachto]

I actually just booked with them today for the last week of July? Did you fish with them? Feel free to PM if you prefer

We have moored our boat there and camped there. Loved that place. We did DIY and didn't do it guided but they were great.

 

[Hoosker Doo]

We have moored our boat there and camped there. Loved that place. We did DIY and didn't do it guided but they were great.

Awesome. We are staying with them and doing DIY in a skiff the last week of July. Any insight on the salmon or halibut fishing around there that time of year?

 

[Bachto]

Awesome. We are staying with them and doing DIY in a skiff the last week of July. Any insight on the salmon or halibut fishing around there that time of year?

You will be limited on where you can go in the skiff. A lot of guys will troll cut plug herring on the skiffs from what I remember for salmon. There are some areas close to there that you should be able to get some halibut. Look for flat shelves near drop off's in about 200 feet of water or more. I don't know if those skiffs have depth finders so you might want to get some oceanic maps. I know there are places to get into the rockfish that you can get to with that small of a boat. Honestly the lodge will be able to tell you probably better than I can.

 

[Megalodon]

We do full DIY. Rent our own AirBnB, car, and boats from Knudson Cove. Their covered boats are nice enough, have everything you need to fish. The marina also has vacuum sealers and flash freezer space to rent.

 

[Britt-dog]

I actually just booked with them today for the last week of July? Did you fish with them? Feel free to PM if you prefer

I have been fortunate enough to stay and fish at Clover Pass 15+ times over the last 20 years. I highly recomend it them. most of my trips have been guided charters, but I have also fished from the Livingstons and Thunderjets (Yellow Boats) self guided. Rental of the thunderjets is a great value for someone who wants to DIY fish in Ketchikan. You're not going to the Cape or the Piniccle, but you will have decent range. Set up a marine chart app on your phone and get as much info as you can from the staff and locals. The local guides can be hard asses but some may help you. As a DIY you can keep any size Hali and there are good spots close to the resort. The Coho run is usually good close to the resort also. King fishing has been poor for quite a few years but you never know, the biggest fish I ever caught was between the resort and town. happy to answer any questions