Hello

I'm going on a cruise this July that stops in Sitka (12PM - 7PM) and Skagway (7AM - 8:30PM). What would be a good choice to charter a fishing trip?

The cruise ship has a "shore excursion" in Sitka that looks reasonable, has anyone had experience with this company?
http://www.springsips.com/~akfish/info.html

Thanks for your guidance!

Wintek

I have fished very successfully in Sitka, and had a great time. I prefer mooching-but it depends on the skipper. Have fun!

If ya really, really want to do some great Alaskan fishing trips. Save your money and go to Dutch Harbor, Alska.

I lived on a 240' vessel there for 2 years. We caught 30-40 pound cod, Salmon, Dolly Vardon Trout and halibut to 200 pounds.

WHILE TIED TO THE DOCK!!!

It's the town on the remote Island featured on " Deadliest Catch "

However. There is also some tremendous fishing in Sitka. The beauty of the area alone will be worth every dollar spent on your trip.

I do envy you.

Agate, Pigsticker

Thanks for the encouragement. I too would prefer mooching, sounds like there would be more of an element of skill involved. Would love to catch some barn door size halibut, but it doesn't sound like that's an option.

So does the cruise ship arranged charter look reasonable, or should I try to arrange something myself?

Take care,

Wintek

GO ON YER OWN!!! The vruise ship has a % interest in what ever they book with affilliates in the town. Do some home work. Contact the good folks at western outdoor news. They have a ton of Alaskan Guides advertising in the newspaper. Check it out.

Or......search engine.

everything is a compromise-but the cruise line usually has things already booked for the day you are there. My favorite guide was totally booked by the end of the Hall show. Go with the line, hang loose, and have fun.

just for the record, a lot of the indy guides in Sitka won't mooch-they consider it "Fag-fishing"

Thath thoo infuriathing! To thay sutch a tshing. hahahaha It is FAG fishing.

Do the Cruise fishing trip this year. Book it right away lest it go to someone else. Enjoy it. The fishing up thar is unequalled.

Well, er, uh....except for the wide open " Cow Tuna " bites we get in the southern waters.

The alaska department of fish and game has some information about fishing in sitka at http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/Region1/weekly/sit.cfm

If you want to go inedependant, start your search here. http://www.sitka.org/
Of course the cruise line has a vested interest in the operators they choose for shore excursions, thats the nature of the business. The upside is that the cruise line backs up the quality of the operation. If you are more adventureous, going on your own can be a great experience. Just remember, if you go with the cruise line's operator and your return to the ship is delayed, the ship will wait for you. If you are on your own, you may find yourself arranging transportation to the next port of call to catch up with the ship. Doing this may also put you in violation of the Jones Act and you will pay a fine for your trouble on top of your transportation costs. if you choose to go independant go with a reliable operator and emphasize your need to be back on time!

p.s. Bring your passport with you on your shore excursion just in case.

i wish ,one day to fish alaska.doe anyone leaving to alaska need a hand with luguage, i,ll bring my own tackle.

Alaska is in the USA-last I heard no passport is needed. go with the cruise line this time-then shop hard at next year's Hall show for an indy operator, 'cause once you have fished Alaska, YOU WILL BE HOOKED!

Yes, Alasks is in the U.S.
All cruises to Alaska will make port in Canada.
The Jones Act requires that of non-U.S. flagged vessels as they may not transport passengers between U.S. ports of call, without an intervening stop in a foreign port. If you are forced to fly to the ship at it's port call in Canada, you will have a real hassle with Canadian authorities if you don't have your passport with you as it is now required to fly between the U.S. and Canada. Here is a cut and paste from www.travel.state.gov:

Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.

That being said, it is always a good idea to take your passport when leaving the country as you never know what may happen

Hello

Interesting about the attitude towards mooching. Well the fishing kind anyway...

Thank you very much for the links, will contact the folks and see what falls out. I do need to be wary with time, do not need to miss the boat!

For whatever it's worth, RiggerMike is correct about the passport requirements. Not sure why, but this year U.S. passports are required if you fly outside the U.S., but not if you travel by land or sea. Starting next year, passports are required. As far I'm concerned, passports are required this year even if technically I don't need one. The last thing I need is dealing with bureaucrats on top of recovering from whatever forced me into needing to fly back home from my trip. But dang they're expensive - almost $700 to get passports for my family of 4.

Take care,

Wintek

before the current laws-a passport was 35.00. Leave it to the Government to profiteer on policy! I just contacted the cruise co. that I wanted to take-it goes from Juneau to Juneau without landing in Canada. They say that a passport is needed in case the plane crashes in Canada-