We are looking at going on an Alaskan fishing trip. I am thinking of doing a combo package where we can fish for halibut a day or two, king salmon, and other species. I am thinking we will go during July. I have heard a lot of good things about Kenai. I am looking for advice and recommendations on where to stay and what company to go with. Thanks in advance!

I have heard a lot of good about this outfit, but have not fished with them.

https://kingofkingslodge.net/prices

I lived In Kodiak for 6 years, I know some good ones there, day charter guys.

Far from Kenai, but here is one my brothers and me are booked for in August, he is a member of this forum.

https://www.alaskawideopen.com

I believe Calvin from this site is a charter boat captain, send him a PM. Good luck.

Pelican Alaska. Highliner charters is probably the best fishing trip for halibut/ salmon. Great lodge, food, drink and fishing. A trip you’ll never forget. Warning: it’s not cheap.

https://highlinerlodge.com

[video:youtube]https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=tiliad_A0wU&feature=emb_logo[/video]

This is Calvin

I have fished out of Pelican twice. Both trips were good. It is a good area to fish. Highliner is a nice outfit. There are a couple others that people are happy with and return yearly.

https://www.flyfishalaska.com/ Two of my stepdaughters work there, very well run place.

ask Calvin on here

Gustavus has a couple of good operations that work halibut off the mouth of Glacier Bay. They also often include a day going out for salmon. When I was there a few years ago, they were starting to build a dock for the Alaska Ferry, which should give good access from Juneau. There is a freezer/smoker service in town, and Alaska Airlines will stow your frozen "baggage" in a freezer during layovers.

I think Gustavus has a weekly ferry to/from Juneau now

Wow, they have a great web site. I wonder if they are located where the Short family lived back a few decades ago. sounds like it.

Depends on whether you want to catch your Kings in the salt or freshwater.

My family has booked two very successful king salmon and halibut fishing trips with Johnson Brothers Outfitters in Soldotna, but that was several years ago. I see they still have an active website. I've got video of my 75 year old father catching a 74 lb. King Salmon on the Kenai river on one of those trips, and the next day we caught a lot of Halibut on Cook inlet. Two brothers from Utah on that Halibut trip each caught a fish weighing over 200 pounds. Dad caught what they called a "minnow"- - - - -a 60-pounder! Three years later Dad took my brother and two grandchildren out with the same outfitter and they had a good salmon fishing experience.

That was about 12 years ago, so I don't have any recent experiences to share.
Jerry

Thanks for all the replies and messages! I truly appreciate it . I think I may come out better if I plan out the trip and go to several places and fish with different ppl instead of staying at a lodge

Usually, fishing will be better where there is not road access!

And

And last week.😪

I would go with Calvin and not count on the vagaries of the king run in the Kenai.

Awww heck...

It's fun to walk across the river over all the boats. You won't have to get your feet wet.

We had a great time and caught a lot of fish last July with Calvin



If it was in my budget, I'd go every year

Good friend of mine runs this one http://www.fishalaskacharters.com/ It's on Gustavus. It is off the beaten path. You WILL catch fish.

Would not make any bets about where Alaska Ferries are/will run this year and in coming years.

Still classy folks and as good as they come on the Kenai River... but the River ain't what she used to be.

tag

This is something the wife and I have talked about doing in the past. Probably time to get moving on it.

The Gustavus fishery is a hurting unit, given the halibut they post pictures of to dupe the unsuspecting haven’t been legal to catch in many years. GAF halibut is the only way to do it, and that’s another 4-500 a fish.

I would definitely recommend checking out Highliner Lodge in Pelican (https://highlinerlodge.com/catch-rates/). VernAK said it right, "best fishing starts where there are no roads!" If you want to catch big halibut, I would go with a lodge. Highliner has all the right permits to fish both areas 3A and 2C, if you choose somewhere else, at least educate yourself on these permits and the lodges ability to fish the surrounding area. Best of luck!