Sitka Fishing Secrets by Christopher Hashiguchi, Captain

One of the most effective and hands-on techniques that experienced guides, such as those at IslandView Resort & Charters in Sitka, Alaska, utilize is called mooching.  While mooching, each angler gets to use his or her own rod baited with a cut plug herring.  The six-inch green bait herring is cut at a beveled angle that, when pulled through the water, produces a rolling spin mimicking the swimming movement of a live herring.  This bait is rigged with a double hook solid tie 6-7 foot leader behind a 4-6 oz sliding lead, depending on the current and wind drift. When the rod is worked properly by consistent reel action, the shiny spinning herring is like an irresistible magnet that attracts salmon, halibut and just about every other species of fish in the Gulf of Alaska.

Because of the abundance of bait fish throughout the Sitka area, the migratory species of salmon gather in the surrounding waters to feed.  This produces the ideal situation for mooching.  The guide keeps his eye on the fish finder in order to drift the boat across live herring schools ("bait balls" that show up as bright red balls on the screen).  In this manner, our boats virtually float over schools of feeding salmon.  Each angler then drops their own cut plug-mooching rig through the water table to where the lunkers feed.  Nearly half of all hits occur just as the cut plug spins along the drop down in front of the salmon's keen nose.

As the rod reacts with an inevitable tug of "the bite" on the herring, the salmon is merely nipping at the bait.  The biggest mistake anglers make is to react by trying to hook the fish before the salmon has taken the bait fully.  So after the initial bite, we instruct the angler to simply take up the slack that has developed in the line.  This keeps that spinning bait in front of the salmon as he follows it through the water before lunging to gulp the herring and hooks entirely.  This is the crucial moment when time seems to stand still as you feel that first solid head shake.  All the anticipation and excitement finally reaches its peak and that's when you know it is "FISH ON!"

Fishing in Sitka, Alaska, is truly world class.  When we say that you will get action, we mean it.  Often times when there is a hook up over a school, you will find nearly every rod in the water suddenly bent at a sharp angle one after another. Southeast Alaska allows up to six rods fishing at a time, one per license holder. If someone happens to have made it to the bottom with their bait before getting a salmon on, there is a good chance the bait may lure a halibut, ling cod, or rock fish on the line.  These are the moments of fishing excitement we all live for.

It is this multiple hook up scenario, common in Sitka, which makes fishing aboard a walk-around vessel crucial. Fighting salmon go for long runs around and under the boat and, with more than one rod being played in this manner; the ability to physically follow your fish around the boat is essential.  For this reason, the lodge owners of IslandView Resort & Charters in Sitka provide fully equipped aluminum walk-around charter boats custom designed for the success and comfort of their fishing guests.

Another key to your positive fishing experience is to make sure your charter includes a deckhand on board.  When the bite is hot, the captain should be focused on keeping your boat over the fish and letting you know what depths to drop your line to.  Rods with line counters are best when you need to cast and drop quickly with ease.  A professional deckhand on your vessel will ensure your lines are baited, free of tangles, and actively fishing.  The deckhands that work for IslandView Resort & Charters in Sitka are trained to quickly bleed, gut, and ice down your fish in order to maintain the utmost quality of your catch.

Alaska fishing guides and charter lodges are abundant, but when it comes right down to it, only a select few have the experience, equipment, and enthusiasm which brings people back year after year (not to mention the prime location such as Sitka).  So, when you find yourself wading through the websites and brochures in your search for the perfect place to go fishing in Alaska, make sure to ask about the guide's fishing techniques, the vessel types, equipment used, and whether or not deckhands are on board.  

These are the simple fishing secrets that will make or break your trip.  Lodges such as IslandView Resort & Charters in Sitka, Alaska, stay successful because they love what they do and refuse to cut corners.  The best experience is coming back to our private dock with more than just a great catch... we IslandView captains like to say our focus is to get our boat loads of smiles every day.