Alaska Setup

[Vince]

I have to ask my soon to be Alaskan compatriots who they recommend for my Alaskan spinning rig.

One fellow I know that was stationed in Alaska said to use braided thirty pound test. OK, I have a spool of that. Now what do y’all recommend for a leader? I know it varies depending on where you are and what you’re fishing for but can y’all recommend some basic stuff I could get here for fishing before I head north?

My fishing experience is limited to bass. I’ve had my best luck with top water plugs and Rapala Diving Lures. One thing I’m planning on doing is taking a charter for halibut when I get there but I’ll use their equipment for that.

I know we have a multitude of experience here and I’m here as a sponge. If you’re willing to share I’m willing to soak up the knowledge.

Thank you.

Vince

 

[salmonchaser]

Until you get a boat you’ll be accessing fishing grounds with every one else via the road system. Considered bad form to be playing a fish too long if it interferes with everyone else getting back in the water. Yes, Alaska road system can get that crowded. You’ll find hikes to get away but there are no virgin fishing spots.
For silvers and reds (sockeye) I typically ran 12 pound florocarbon leaders but I was fishing gin clear water from the boat. Actually Reds were from shore but I didnt’ have to worry about other people. I would go 15 to 20lb leader If I were you.
Silvers like flash, on an average morning two or three clients would land 40 silvers on #4 or 5 Vibrex spinners running pink and silver, orange and silver, chartreuse and silver and green and silver.
20 years guiding taught me that if they are going to bite they are going to bite just about anything. That being said there are always local favorites and a shop nearby with spinners to sell. Pay attention.
Sockeye and kings where you can fish for them, will be over by the time you get there.
I’ ve caught a lot of kings and silvers on plugs. Mostly back trolling from the boat but casting them works well too. I preferred Magworts and Tadpolly’s in Alaska but ran quickfish on the Columbia.
Let me know when you have an address, I’ve got boxes of the stuff. I’ll send you a dozen or so of my favorite silver spinners when you have an address. I’ve got some well used but servicable GLoomis rods appropriate for silver fishing, I’ll send you one of those as well.

 

[Guy Miner]

Salmonchaser's info comes from years of experience. I've just been a fly-fishing tourist up there.

Caught a lot of silvers though, but all on a fly, mostly something bold looking, in the top 4' of water. When conditions were right... a popper, usually pink or chartreuse, on the surface was effective and so very fun!

Guy

 

[Vince]

Until you get a boat you’ll be accessing fishing grounds with every one else via the road system. Considered bad form to be playing a fish too long if it interferes with everyone else getting back in the water. Yes, Alaska road system can get that crowded. You’ll find hikes to get away but there are no virgin fishing spots.
For silvers and reds (sockeye) I typically ran 12 pound florocarbon leaders but I was fishing gin clear water from the boat. Actually Reds were from shore but I didnt’ have to worry about other people. I would go 15 to 20lb leader If I were you.
Silvers like flash, on an average morning two or three clients would land 40 silvers on #4 or 5 Vibrex spinners running pink and silver, orange and silver, chartreuse and silver and green and silver.
20 years guiding taught me that if they are going to bite they are going to bite just about anything. That being said there are always local favorites and a shop nearby with spinners to sell. Pay attention.
Sockeye and kings where you can fish for them, will be over by the time you get there.
I’ ve caught a lot of kings and silvers on plugs. Mostly back trolling from the boat but casting them works well too. I preferred Magworts and Tadpolly’s in Alaska but ran quickfish on the Columbia.
Let me know when you have an address, I’ve got boxes of the stuff. I’ll send you a dozen or so of my favorite silver spinners when you have an address. I’ve got some well used but servicable GLoomis rods appropriate for silver fishing, I’ll send you one of those as well.

THANK YOU!

 

[salmonchaser]

Salmonchaser's info comes from years of experience. I've just been a fly-fishing tourist up there.

Caught a lot of silvers though, but all on a fly, mostly something bold looking, in the top 4' of water. When conditions were right... a popper, usually pink or chartreuse, on the surface was effective and so very fun!

Guy

Loved fly fishing for silvers, guiding as well. Had a couple of secret spots about 100 miles south down the peninsula. Had guys and gals tap out and watch their friends finish the day, 100 silvers will flat kick your butt. Pick up some char and rainbow too

 

[FNWhelen]

Hate to say it but if you can drive to a place for salmon fishing it will be over crowded and fishing will most likely suck. At this point I do my fishing from a boat in the ocean. But then I admit I am spoiled growing up on K-P in the 60's and early70's

 

[JD338]

Loved fly fishing for silvers, guiding as well. Had a couple of secret spots about 100 miles south down the peninsula. Had guys and gals tap out and watch their friends finish the day, 100 silvers will flat kick your butt. Pick up some char and rainbow too

Don,
Those are some nice fish. The smiles say it all.

JD338

 

[salmonchaser]

Don,
Those are some nice fish. The smiles say it all.

JD338

That young lady started fishing with us when she was 10. I think she was 17 in those pics. She is a very accomplished angler. When she was 10 we nicknamed her swamp rat because she had a habit of belly flopping into flooded tundra and swampy ground. On her first trip with us she asked how many fish she would catch. I told her I didn’t know but regardless she would have a great adventure. She always, to this day, describes her fishing days as a great adventure.

 

[JD338]

That young lady started fishing with us when she was 10. I think she was 17 in those pics. She is a very accomplished angler. When she was 10 we nicknamed her swamp rat because she had a habit of belly flopping into flooded tundra and swampy ground. On her first trip with us she asked how many fish she would catch. I told her I didn’t know but regardless she would have a great adventure. She always, to this day, describes her fishing days as a great adventure.

Great story Don!

JD338

 

[salmonchaser]

Hate to say it but if you can drive to a place for salmon fishing it will be over crowded and fishing will most likely suck. At this point I do my fishing from a boat in the ocean. But then I admit I am spoiled growing up on K-P in the 60's and early70's

I caught my first King out of the Kenai in 1961. Everything up there has changed a bit since then. Are you still up there?

 

[FNWhelen]

Yep still here. I live over looking the mouth of the Kasilof river. Been in this area since 1963