Salmon + Halibut Combo Charters
Two very different kinds of fishing in one Ketchikan day. Troll for salmon in the morning, then drop to the bottom for halibut, lingcod, and rockfish.
Why combine species?
Trolling for salmon and bottom fishing for halibut are close to opposite experiences. One keeps the boat moving and the rods working. The other is a deep-water waiting game with heavyweight payoffs. Doing both in a day gives you the fullest picture of what fishing here is about, and it fills the fish box with variety, salmon for the grill and halibut for the freezer.
What the day can look like
There is no fixed script. Captain Jim plans the day around tide, weather, and where fish have been, which might mean trolling the morning bite and running to halibut grounds after, or the reverse. Nobody can promise both species in a single day; fish decide that. What we can promise is a captain who reads the day well and keeps you on the most realistic chance at both.
- Salmon side: trolling for whichever salmon are running your dates. See the salmon page for species.
- Bottom side: halibut, with lingcod and rockfish possible depending on current regulations. See the halibut page.
Time makes the combo work
Switching between fisheries means travel between different water. On a short trip that travel squeezes the actual fishing, which is why the combo is at its best on a full-day charter. With ten hours, both halves of the day get a real chance.
Season matters too. Different months favor different fisheries, so tell us your dates and we’ll tell you frankly how the combo looks for them. Start with the seasons guide or send a request.
Combo days on the water
What a day of trolling and bottom fishing can look like by the time the boat ties up.
The best of both, in one day
Combo trips run at standard charter rates. See rates, then tell us what you want to catch.