KODIAK ISLAND VALUE!
EXPEDITION OVERVIEW
Kodiak Island is one of our favorite Alaskan fishing destinations. So we did our homework to find the best fishing captain based out of the town of Kodiak. We think we did pretty well! Our team was test-fishing with him and his crew in 2017. So now we make it an annual hosted trip.
In over two decades in the outdoor consulting industry, Wildfish Expeditions owner Jim Riley can count on one hand the number of outfitted adventures that he offered as an “a la carte” type trip. I usually arrange trips that include meals, lodging, guides, etc. The works! However, this Captain concentrates just on the unreal fishing that Kodiak offers. What is great about this is you and your group can build a trip based on World-Class fishing. We will assist you will all logistics, help you find a place to stay that is close to the marina, and see that your fish is processed. The processing is the best we have seen in Alaska.
The fishing in and around Kodiak Island is often left out of the discussion as anglers travel to the high tourist-populated areas of Homer, Seward, Soldotna, and Kenai, to name a handful! Those places can produce excellent fishing results but travel just a little further, and you can be on remote Kodiak!
THE FISHERY
The Waters Around Kodiak!
Kodiak offers superb fishing for five species of salmon (king, red, silver, chum, and pink) halibut, rockfish, lingcod, Dolly Varden, steelhead, and rainbow trout.
You will be fishing with our choice of top Captain in the city of Kodiak. You will begin your day early in the morning. Depending on tide and weather conditions you will either start your fishing day pursuing halibut and rockfish or going after salmon.
Since halibut are bottom hunters you will be dropping heavy weights baited with fresh cut bait. Another very productive method is to jig with large plastics or metal jigs. Hang on as these beasts of the deep want nothing more than to make you give up the fight!
Next up is salmon fishing. Trolling is often the go-to method unless you locate a large school feasting on herring. Then it’s time to try a new tactic! Mooching is a great way to catch salmon. A cut herring is slowly let down into the school and retrieved slowly back to the boat. When a salmon hits be ready for big runs and acrobatics!
SPECIES WE TARGET
HALIBUT
Halibut are abundant around Kodiak Island, and sport fishing is excellent from late April through early September. Halibut are usually in deeper water during the winter months and migrate into shallower water during the spring and summer.
SALMON
Kodiak offers superb fishing for five species of salmon (king, red, silver, chum, and pink). Our top picks to take home and eat are the kings and silvers.
ROCKFISH
More than 30 species of rockfish are found in Kodiak salt waters, and all bite readily. Rockfish live to be over 100 years old. Unfortunately, they are also slow-growing and slow to reproduce. The most commonly caught around Kodiak include dark, dusky, and yellow-eye rockfish.
LING COD
Lingcod are large fish with ferocious teeth and are excellent table fare. Average-sized lingcod harvested in Kodiak are 3 feet long and weigh 20 pounds.
THE TEAM
Our partner and Captain and his crew on Kodiak Island operate two of the most fish-catching vessels in Alaska!
The Wildfish Expeditions team partners with this operation for our hosted trip each year.
For 2022 we were completely full. We may have a few spots open in 2023. This is a great way to save some money if you are a group of two or three anglers. We share costs on the lodging and rental car and get exclusive use of the boats.
THE REGION
Kodiak is 3,670 square miles making it Alaska’s largest island. Kodiak is considered to be a sportsperson’s paradise. Quality hunting and fishing adventures are in no short supply! The Kodiak brown bear is one of the famous residents of Kodiak. The bear is unique to Kodiak and considered one of the biggest brown bear sub-species in the World! Joining the bear on Kodiak are Sitka black-tailed deer, mountain goats, and reindeer. The bear is the only indigenous of the four species that now call Kodiak home.
When you are fishing you will also be on one of the World’s greatest wildlife tours! Simply breathtaking may best describe your charter around the Kodiak area. Here there is an abundance of wildlife including Bears, Mountain Goats, Deer, Bald Eagles, three different color phases of Fox, Otter, Beaver, and Ermine.
Shifting your view from land to the sea you will witness an abundance of Sea Otters, Sea Lions, several species of Whales, and a multitude of Sea birds including Puffins and Eiders.
ACCOMMODATIONS & CUISINE
Wildfish Expeditions does not offer a food and lodging package in the town of Kodiak. What we do is offer the best guide service and assist our clients in choosing the best lodging option for their party. Over the years we have found out this is the most affordable way to enjoy Kodiak Islands’ amazing fishery.
In regards to lodging, once you arrange your trip, we will provide a list of accommodations we recommend.
If you prefer an all-inclusive package, we have remote lodges on Kodiak that specialize in this type of trip.
Our hosted fishing packages include the best lodges that Kodiak offers, along with new truck rentals for each group. That allows our group to fish the rivers in the evening.
RATES:
2023 Hosted Trip! We have worked out all the details!
2023 Hosted Trip Price: $2175.00 PP
Trip Includes:
- Excellent Lodging
- Transfers to fishing, restaurants, and rivers
- Three days of professionally guided fishing. Each boat has a Captain and First Mate.
- Exclusive use of boats by our group
- All rods, reels, bait, and tackle
- Lunches on the boat
- Last day MEGA fish fry!
- Professional consultation from our staff throughout the trip planning process
DATES:
Prime dates:
June – July – August – September
2023 Hosted trip takes place in July 2023. Call for details. Jim Riley 406-580-4036.
INCLUDES
- Excellent Lodging
- Transfers to fishing, restaurants, and rivers
- Three days of professionally guided fishing. Each boat has a Captain and First Mate.
- Exclusive use of boats by our group
- All rods, reels, bait, and tackle
- Lunches on the boat
- Last day MEGA fish fry!
- Professional consultation from our staff throughout the trip planning process
NOT INCLUDED:
- Airfare to Kodiak, Alaska
- Gratuities to staff and guides
- Fishing license
- Fish processing
- Breakfasts and some dinners
TRANSPORTATION:
Fly to Kodiak Alaska, transfer to your choice of lodging. In the morning meet the boat and Captain at the marina.