The
Pacific halibut is the world's largest bottom fish. Alaska provides some tremendous opportunities to catch this giant. Homer,
Alaska is known as a halibut center, and Cook Inlet
has been one of the most productive fishing grounds for “Butts”.
Fisherman can catch this delicious fish in Southeast, South-central,
and Southwestern Alaska
as well. The state and world record is 469 pounds, and was caught out
on the Aleutian Chain in Dutch Harbor/Unalaska. Halibut are white on
the bottom and a mottled-green on top; this coloration is a perfect
camouflage. The eyes of the adult are on the same side of the body.
(The eyes "migrate" to one side when halibut are small.)
These fish are gluttonous and swallow whole salmon. Small to
medium-sized halibut can be caught on flies imitating flesh and
injured bait fish. Ten weight rods (or more, no fly rods here please)
and rope-like leaders are needed to lift this flatfish off the bottom.
And after cranking in over 200 feet of line with a 3-5lb lead weight
AND a healthy Halibut (40-400lbs), in most cases a good night’s
sleep is assured after a day of “Barn Doors” busting. A good
charter captain will fish the tides for Halibut so your departure
times vary by the day, and the bag limit is 2 per day.
Northern
Pike:
The northern pike of Alaska is no different than the pike of Canada and the northern
United States. Many lakes in Alaska hold pike, and some specimens can reach 40 pounds. (SE Alaska
is the only area of the state without northern pike.) The pike has a
long body and snout and possesses hundreds of razor sharp teeth. Any
fish, mammal, or bird is prey to a hungry northern pike. Fly fishers
can catch a pike using large poppers and other floating hair-based
flies. The state record is 38 pounds and 8 ounces.
Sheefish:
The Sheefish is the world's largest whitefish. Some anglers think it
looks similar to a tarpon. This fish fights very hard and has
delicious white meat. The fish has no markings and is bright silver on
its sides. Sheefish can be found in some Interior Alaska rivers, but
its main stomping grounds are in western
Alaska. The Kobuk and Selawik river drainages (above the Arctic Circle)
are hot spots for this beautiful fish. The state and world record is
47 pounds.
Questions about fishing Alaska? Contact us at: 2008@gofishingalaska.com
A Division of All Alaska Tours, Inc., serving Alaska Visitors since 1991
413 G Street, Anchorage, Alaska 99501
2008@gofishingalaska.com
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