The Kenai Peninsula is known for great Salt Water or Deep Sea Fishing
Enjoy a short scenic drive from Joy’s Kenai River Cabins, then drop a line in Seward or Homer for saltwater Halibut, Ling Cod, Black Bass, or Red Snapper. Six-pack boats are designed for small intimate Alaska fishing parties. Larger vessels can handle your group of twenty or more.
Where do we go for deep-sea fishing?
You have a couple of choices for catching fish in the ocean depending on the time of year. Resurrection Bay out of Seward is always a good choice. The ride out is spectacular with breathtaking views of the bay. There is always a good chance of seeing the sea life such as Whales, Propose, Sea Otters, Sea Lions and many different kinds of sea birds. The other favorite spot is off the Homer Spit or Deep Creek. The boat ride to the fish is a lot shorter on most days.
What fish can I catch when saltwater fishing?
Bottom fish such as Halibut, Red Snapper, and Rock Fish also known as Sea Bass are plentiful on these trips. Most combination packages have a choice of Salmon or Ling Cod as well as Halibut. During the Silver Salmon derby, you have a chance to win by catching a tagged fish worth $10,000. The interesting thing about deep-sea fishing is you never know what you have until you bring the fish up. There are literally hundreds of species of fish here in the ocean and you just have to bring them up to see what you got.
What are saltwater salmon?
Salmon hatch in the freshwater streams. Once they are about six months old, they start heading downstream to live their life in the ocean. They eat and grow for about three years in the ocean. Then when nature calls, they head back to the freshwater stream of their birth to spawn and the cycle starts over. When caught in salt water, they are sometimes called saltwater salmon.
What to bring
You will want to bring along some rain gear and a couple of layers as the weather is unpredictable and changes drastically often without notice. In the mornings the temperature can be in the forties while the afternoons can get up into the 80s. Polarized sunglasses are highly recommended as well as a good camera with plenty of space is a must.
What sort of tackle is needed?
On all charter trips, the captain and his deck hands will have all the equipment you will need for the day. Halibut polls are specifically designed to bring in the 200 lb fish. The reels are a four-to-one ratio, meaning you get four rotations of the reel for every rotation cranked. You’ll have a lead line that is in the 150 to 200 lb test range with a 2 to 5 lb lead weight depending on the tide and a circle hook with a full Herring as bait. Sometimes there will be a chance to jig for these monsters. The fish will be found in 150 to 250 feet of water about three cranks of your reel off the bottom.
You never want to set the hook using these types of rigs, Just start by letting the fish eat your bait. After a couple three or four good tugs, start reeling as fast as you can and the hook will set itself. Then hold on and reel. Ask for help if needed because if you drop the poll in will cost you $300 to replace it.
Can I keep the fish I catch?
Depending on the current regulations, you will be able to keep a limit of fish. Currently, for Halibut, you can keep one over and one under 39 inches long. Three Silver Salmon, one King, one Ling Cod, and 10 Rockfish are the current limits. There will be several fish that you will release on any given day such as Sharks, Skates, Pacific Cod, Flounder, and the like. Your captain and his deck hands will be sure to keep you legal and educated on the ones to keep and the ones that will need to go back.
How are the fish I caught processed? Can I take them home with me?
Yes, there are several choices for processing your fish depending on where you are. There are good companies at all the launching docks and several here close to Joy’s Kenai River Cabins. While we do not process fish here at the Lodge, we can help you find a processor. The cost is in the $2.00 per pound range depending on where you are coming from and where you want the fish shipped. You can always take your fish home in a cooler if you have a flight that is less than 6 hours long. It must be frozen solid before the trip. Please check with your Airline and understand their policies on shipping frozen fish and the use of dry ice during transport.
Am I likely to get seasick when ocean fishing?
This is a question you need to know before you go. I have not been on a boat where someone has not gotten the sea sickness. It looks miserable and will ruin your trip. There are several over-the-counter medications that work wonders. The problem is they don’t work after the fact, meaning, that if you get sick, you will be all day until you return to land. Sometimes this will be eight hours to ten hours, so if you don’t know, it is recommended that you do talk to your doctor and take precautions. You don’t want to get Sea Sick ……….
