I'm looking to take my 3 adult sons (and perhaps 2 grandsons in their early teens) on an Alaskan fishing trip next summer. I'm mostly looking to target salmon, halibut, and cod on about 3 chartered trips. We'd fly in to Anchorage and probably rent a van to use for 5-6 days.

The prices I've seen (so far) to stay at a fishing lodge are a little higher than I wanted to spend, but not out of the question. Wondering if it would be better to just rent an airbnb house that will accommodate 6 people near some good fishing port with a salmon run and offshore halibut waters and arrange my own charters.

I fished out of Seward about 5 years ago and thoroughly enjoyed a combo trip out of Miller's Landing, but I'm wondering about other locations to base out such as Kenai, Soldotna, Kalifornsky, or Homer.

This will likely be a 5 or 6 day fishing trip. Is the salmon run around mid July? I fished in late July and was told the run was about over but we still caught silvers, halibut, and rock cod.

Any recommendations on an area to stay and tips on charter captains and lodging options would be most appreciated. I'm open to suggestions!

Thank you!

I’m heading to Ketchikan in early August with my 15 and 17 year old and my uncle. We r fishing with Reel Alaska Fishing. He is a charter but also has full vacation packages. Doing two 8hr trips and a 12 hour trip. All bottom fishing for us. 9 full days there in a hotel suite and the 3 days fishing was 5600 total. I didn’t think that was too bad. I can report back after the trip and let u know how it was. They have awesome reviews and talked to a bunch of references and Scott came VERY highly recommended!


Roy

That sounds great, Roy! I look forward to hearing about your trip. Good luck!

Tag

My wife and I will be meeting her brother and GF in Ketchikan in a week or so for five nights. It is a DIY trip where living quarters, boat and equipment are provided. My BIL has made the trip a number of times.

https://chinookshores.com/

Silver Salmon Creek Lodge isn't as luxurious as someplace like Tikchik Narrows Lodge (or others in western Alaska) but the fishing can be awesome. Several nice places on or beside Lake Iliamna too.

http://silversalmoncreek.com/index.php

Jensens Boat Rentals, Petersburg Alaska

You could rent a boat for a week for the same price as the per/person per/week price for a lodge package.

You won't get any of the services provided in a lodge package but you could go where you want, when you want and do what you want. You can be self reliant.

They have beach boats. So you could rent one of the 22' boats and camp on the beach.

I recommend the hard top boats. They provide a little shelter from the weather.

Basecamp at a AirBNB in Soldotna area and then book your own charters. Pick a day to do a halibut trip out of Deep Creek, Fish the Kenai for reds off the bank on your own or get a guide. A day trip out of Seward for silvers and rockfish.
All these are easily done with a van to transport your crew.
MId/late July is the most popular time to be here for fishing, so book early, lodging and the good charters will fill up a year in advance.


Pm me if you want some more info or recommendations

Good ideas, guys. Thanks for the input!

pm forthcoming 358Norma fan.

Listen to Steve...

Northern Spell Lodge for lodging and charters all in one.