Baranof Fishing Excursions

The beach camp was a highlight, especially having our catch cleaned and cooked there. The aioli drizzle was a little spicy, so ask them to leave it off if that’s not your thing. We saw seals, a whale, and bald eagles, and caught plenty of fish. I went in mid-May with Captain Lindsey, booking directly with Baranof. They picked us up at the ship and brought us back with no timing issues, and supplied all the gear, including bibs, boots, a rain jacket, gloves, life vest, and poles. I’m definitely on the larger side and they had gear that fit. My friend and I are 62 and 70 and not very active, but we managed the boat without much trouble and had a great time. If small boats make you seasick, I’d suggest a patch. It was very easy to do from the cruise ship, and I’d gladly go again if I return.

The boat was roomy, comfortable, and well kept, and Captain Garrett gave us different bait and lures to try. He was professional and kind, helped us with tips, and did a great job netting the fish. We headed out for halibut off the Ketchikan coast with Baranof Fishing Charters through our cruise line, and Garrett put us right on them. We landed 22 good sized halibut in three hours. On the way back, he brought out salmon dip and gourmet cookies. This was truly the high point of our Alaskan trip. He worked hard to make it a great day, and I can’t think of anything better. If you’re fishing in Alaska, I highly recommend Baranof. Ask for Cap'n Garrett!

The crab and halibut cooked at the campsite made the best meal of our week. We started by setting crab pots, then went after halibut; once we’d caught enough for lunch, we checked the pots. Captain Andy and the team made the whole outing fun while keeping things professional. Highly recommend.

The boat was covered, in good shape, and gave us an easy ride to the fishing grounds. Landon pointed out wildlife and mountain views along the way. He was friendly, knew his stuff, and patiently explained what we were doing, which helped a lot since my wife and I were beginners at Salmon and Halibut fishing. We booked with Baranof Excursions and had the Alaskan fishing trip we’d hoped for. Our group caught two salmon early, then Landon switched us to halibut when the salmon slowed down. We hooked an enormous 85-pound halibut. It fought like crazy, and getting it aboard was an adventure. The fish broke the net, but Landon went out of his way to bring it in safely so we could get trophy photos, even though it was too big to keep. By the end we had 2 Coho Salmon, 2 Sharks, a Flounder, and 4 Halibut. The fishing, equipment, scenery, and service made for a memorable day. If you want a Ketchikan charter, Baranof Excursions should be your first choice.