Halibut charter

[Oak]

I'm thinking about a fishing trip sometime next year, primarily for halibut and other salt fish. Don't have much interest in salmon. Looking for recommendations of reputable charters, preferrably ones that anyone may have first-hand experience with.

Also, what are the best halibut months? I would like to avoid May-July, which I assume is some of the best fishing. How about August and September? The destination is up in the air. Any recommendations? I'm not looking for a 200-300 pound fish...a few 20-60 pounders would do just fine.

 

[Tom]

I don't know, but I'll make a suggestion. An aquaintence likes Seward, south of Anchorage. They'll do everything, even freeze your fish.

http://www.thefishhouse.net/1-halibut_fishing.html

 

[Ovis]

Oak

I have just the man for you. Dave Wiley runs an operation called Orion Charters out of Valdez. It is an easy commute from Anchorage to Valdez. August would be fine month (preferably the early part of the month) for 'buts and you could also get into some good rock fish and ling cod. The limit on halibut is 2 per person. I know the Board of Fish was looking at decreasing the limit to 1 per person not long ago, but it didn't pass. You say a couple of 20-60 lb fish would be fine, but trust me on this, you don't want to pay several hundred dollars for a couple of 20 lb fish. You can figure 50% of the total weight is what you will get for edible meat. Until my last trip, I had never caught a halibut smaller than 80 lbs with this guy. Once rented the entire boat with four other buddies and we caught over 2000 lbs of fish in four hours! Unbelievably good time...which reminds me, you can travel with him as a singleton or rent the boat for you and some buds.

The other nice thing about going to Valdez this time of year is you can get into some really good shore line fishing for Silvers in August. There are plenty of camping slips in town for either an RV or simply to pitch a tent. Valdez is a really cool little town to get away from it all.

Here is Dave's website... www.orioncharters.com

 

[mtmiller]

I fished with Dave 5 or 6 years ago and had a blast. Though I didn't catch any big ones that day trip, but Dave worked his ass off to get us into fish and I give his operation two-thumbs up.

 

[Oak]

Thanks for the information, guys.

 

[guppie9]

Oak...I will third Ovis and Miller on Orion Charters. I have never personally used them, but I have never, ever heard a bad thing about them. If you can't get on with him for some reason, I have been going out with a place called Silver Lining Charters in Valdez. Real nice father/son duo that run a good, comfortable boat. Real friendly and down to earth. I know a lot of people out of Anchorage go to Anchor Point/Ninilchik/Homer. But for my money, you just can't beat the beauty of Valdez.

 

[Wyodeerhunter]

Oak,
If you lookin' to go with a couple people to split the cost I'd be more than game to go catch some halibut. We just had some halibut for dinner. MMMMMMMMMMMM

-ernesto

 

[Moosie]

travel with him as a singleton or rent the boat for you and some buds.

I know I probably don't get classified as a "BUD", but with enough advance warning, and if you're lacking someone, don't hesitate to drop me a line

 

[Wyodeerhunter]

a hunttalk halibut charter in the works? should be interesting.....



I was trying to get one going on AOD but no one responded. i bet a lot of those guys on AOD don't halibut fish....they can't get their 4 wheelers out there to where the 'but lives....

 

[Daniel in Ak]

I agree about Orion Charters.Year after year he brings in the big boys.Hmmmm! you say a hunttalk 'butt'fest in the works huh? Im game.Altho them Ling Cod are great eating as well and I always do my charters after the 1st of July just so I can target them.This was last year out of Seward;

Third week in August for Silvers in Valdez is awesome..

Last year again out of Seward..

A few years ago out of Deep Creek/Ninilchik..

Gotta love a bent rod...

ANyhow.Valdez is gorgeous,and Ive finally settled on fishing out of there as Ive been trying different charters throught the state over the past 6 years.

 

[Oak]

I may be looking for somebody to fill a boat. This is a trip promised to my wife, so couples will be welcome. Thanks for the info.

 

[AkBearHunter]

I'd also take a look into fishing out of Seward with either Crackerjack or Pro-FishN-Sea charters. I've fished with both the last 3 years and have good success with them. If you fish after 1 July you can catch and keep 1 ling cod, damn good eating they are. If your looking for someone to help fill the boat I might be interested in going but it all depends on where.

 

[Ovis]

Nice looking silver Daniel.