Baranof's Ketchikan halibut fishing excursion.

Let Baranof Fishing take you Halibut Fishing

Ketchikan Halibut Fishing

Location:: Baranof Marina
Ketchikan, Alaska
Duration:: 5-6 hr
Lunch:: Box lunch
Price:: $HH-A-price per person

This fishing excursion is dedicated to catching the largest flatfish in the world, the Pacific Halibut.

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General Information

This is the experience many anglers dream of when planning an Alaska fishing vacation: fishing for the largest flatfish in the world, the Pacific Halibut. Imagine catching your first wild halibut with your friends or family, and having the bragging rights that will come with sharing this delectable fish back home. Ketchikan’s Alaska Halibut fishing will be an unforgettable experience.

Unlike many other Alaska destinations, Ketchikan fishing is in protected waters a short ride from downtown Ketchikan. No matter your skill level, you'll experience halibut fishing like a local. With a halibut rod and Penn reel in your own two hands, you’ll work the sandy flats, drift with the current, and jig in waters as deep as 300 feet. Spend the day with an experienced Alaska fishing guide in pursuit of the elusive halibut: learn the secrets of fishing circle hooks, work the tides, and battle your leviathan.

Fish House Box lunch for Baranof fishing excursions.

Box Lunch Provided
Made daily by the Fish House

A six-hour fishing trip is a long time to go without anything to eat, so every day our restaurant prepares a taste of Ketchikan for each guest on any fishing excursion over six-hours. Over the years we've tried several lunches, and have found the following is a great tie-over snack until you can eat your catch at our wilderness camp or restaurant:

Local Salmon Spread | Crackers | Fruit Cup | Cookie | Bottled Water (numerous soda options)

If you have special dietary concerns, please let us know. Also, if you don't prefer salmon, are on a diet this meal doesn't work with, or like to pack it in at lunch, you're welcome to bring other food and snacks on board. We have a cooler that can keep sandwiches and such cold, but as a rule of thumb, anything that you might pack for a day hiking works well.

If you are visiting Ketchikan by Cruise Ship

We suggest beginning the excursion thirty minutes after your ship is scheduled to arrive in Ketchikan. The following time line is for the full six hour fishing adventure. If you choose to do an eight hour trip, simply adjust the amount of time spent jigging for Halibut.

Arrival

Your guide, or one of our crew, will greet you at the pier and escort you to our downtown marina and outfitting room. Look for a sign with your tour name on it.

Outfitting and Licensing

Upon arrival at our marina your guide will collect the state fee for your fishing license. While we fill out your licensing information, you'll start to look like a local as we outfit you with waterproof boots, bib overalls, hooded jackets, hats, and gloves. Fully prepared, you'll head for the boat.

Running to the Fishing Grounds

Depending on the area your guide chooses to fish, the ride to your fishing area is 20 to 40 minutes from the marina. During this ride you will experience Alaska as Mother Nature made it: rugged, unspoiled, amazing. Our guides take you past the congested fishing grounds, further and deeper into this beautiful land, customizing the journey depending upon the season, tides, and weather conditions. Navigating narrow passages where larger boats cannot venture, our guides bring you closer to Alaska's abundant wildlife. Guests frequently spy eagles, seals, and whales while Halibut fishing. You may take as many photographs as you wish, or simply sit back and soak it all in.

Hunting for Halibut

Leave the tourists behind and venture into more secluded locations for authentic bottom fishing. You'll fish the way the locals do, complete with the quiet anticipation of jigging to the exhilaration of landing your Halibut. We won't pack our guests around a few shared poles; instead, we'll outfit each of you with a rod and tackle. And one of the best parts? The majority of our guests catch fish!

Return to marina

Make your way back to the marina while enjoying another breathtaking ride. Upon arrival, you will remove your fishing gear, and your guide will ensure that you make it back to your ship in a timely fashion. If you choose to ship your fish home, or have it smoked, a simple form needs filled out. We will happily process your fish for shipping to arrive on the date of your choice.

If you are overnighting in Ketchikan

For those travelers who arrive in Ketchikan by the State ferry or Alaska Airlines, and are staying longer than one day, we can arrange for multiple days of fishing and exploring on the water. We suggest beginning your fishing trip before 10:00 a.m. the ardent fisherman normally leaves between 5:00 and 6:00 a.m. However, fishing is often better at tide change, so we will suggest the most opportune time for you to arrive at the fishing grounds so you can "catch the tide". The itinerary that we have provided is a one day six hour trip. Most trips will differ only in the allotted time of fishing to fit your needs, and all trips can be duplicated for multiple day trips.

Arrival

Guests normally meet their guides at the Alaska Fish House for a hot cup of coffee and a discussion of the day of fishing. The Alaska Fish House is located in the center of the marina where we outfit and depart for the fishing grounds.

Outfitting and Licensing

Running to the Fishing Grounds

Depending on the Halibut grounds your guide chooses to fish, the ride to your fishing area is 20 to 40 minutes from the marina. During this ride you will experience Alaska as Mother Nature made it: rugged, unspoiled, amazing. Our guides take you past the congested fishing grounds, further and deeper into our wilderness, customizing the journey depending upon the season, tides, and weather conditions. Navigating narrow passages where larger boats cannot venture, our guides bring you closer to Alaska's abundant wildlife. Guests frequently spy eagles, seals, and whales while Halibut fishing. You may take as many photographs as you wish, or simply sit back and soak it all in.

Hunting for Halibut

Leave the tourists behind and venture into more secluded fishing locations for authentic bottom fishing. You'll fish the way the locals do - from the quiet anticipation of jigging to the exhilaration of landing your Halibut. We won't pack our guests around a few shared poles, we'll outfit each of you with a rod and tackle, and the majority of our guests catch fish.

Return to marina

Make your way back to the marina enjoying your success and the camaraderie of new found friends. Upon arrival you will remove your fishing gear and your guide can escort you to the Alaska Fish House where our chefs will gladly prepare a portion of your fresh catch if you wish. If you choose to ship your fish home, or have it smoked a simple form needs filled out, and we will process your fish for shipping on the date of your choice. We can also package your fish to return home with you on Alaska Airlines if you are leaving by jet.

"What People Are Saying About Baranof: Ketchikan halibut Fishing"

Fantastic and memorable Halibut fishing with "Captain Jack" 2018-10-27

My husband and I booked our halibut fishing excursion through our Holland America cruise. I am an avid fisherwoman but this was my husbands first experience fishing let alone fishing for halibut. Captain Jack met us at the end of the pier (along with another couple ), and we quickly dressed in our boots, rubber gear and set out on the boat. Being September and toward the end of the halibut season my expectations were hopeful but this day was beyond my expectations. The captain and boat were excellent and the weather was beautiful warm and calm...we quickly got into some halibut and spiny rockfish. We even caught a large 43 inch halibut which we released. We saw a convocation of bald eagles, the most I have ever seen and porpoise. We opted to have our fish cleaned and sent home, they were delicious! This was the most fun and wonderful fishing experience I have ever had and my husband has stated he wants to go back on our own and do an extended fishing trip with Baranof and Captain Jack in the near future.

Fishing for Everything 2018-10-08

I was fortunate enough to be able to go out on my own with a guide after a group of four canceled inside of the refund deadline. We tried fishing for salmon in a channel to the southwest, but ran into a pod of orca’s. No fish would be found near them and less it was in their mouth or stomach! LOL. So we turned east and went to another channel where I caught a very small King Salmon. A real cutie! Then we headed south and fished at a depth of 256 feet, bottom jigging for halibut. After about 30 minutes of that, my arms are getting tired and I had not had a bite. We saw a few humpback whales spouting in the distance and many eagles. From there we headed back towards town stopping along the way to do some rock fish jigging. I caught for in pretty short order, returning them all to the sea. Three different varieties of rockfish in fact. We would’ve had better fishing earlier in the season, but it was pretty awesome to be out in great weather in late September. We even saw a deer swimming a channel between islands. It was a black tail Sitka deer. It was swimming slow, but effortlessly. A very unusual sight! I have to highly recommend Baranof. Doing a fishing excursion is the way to go, as you can often see whales and other wildlife like I did while you are fishing or heading from one spot to another. Why just settle for wildlife viewing when you can fish as well?!

Hell of day on the water with Lukas! 2018-09-29

I’ve been to Ketchikan twice before, but nothing stood out like this trip! THIS IS A MUST!! This fishing trip is something we will never forget...especially for my mother-in-law, who had never been fishing before. We couldn’t of asked for a better Captain than Lukas, he definitely made the trip! He was very knowledgeable of the waterways and marine life. We saw bald eagles, sea lions, and a pod of whales blowing in the distance. Most importantly...Lukas put us on one good spot after another. We caught everything...yelloweye rockfish, china rockfish, yellowtail rockfish, halibut, ling cod, flounder, and blue ling cod When you have that good of a day on the water you aren’t even sore from reeling in 300+ foot of water. Lucas was also awesome and considerate in that when my mother-in-law started to get sea sick, he took us to calmer waters. Lucas went above and beyond, he deserve every bit of his tip!! We plan to come back next year and this will be on the top of the list!

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