Alaska Fishing Guides: Choosing First-class Fishing Tour Operators In Alaska

July 24th, 2008 Posted in Bass Fishing Vacation

If you’re considering hiring Alaska fishing guides to enhance your Alaskan fishing trip adventure, you’ve already made a great decision. Charters and guides typically know the waters, fish migrations and great strategies to ensure you’ll come home with a trophy-sized catch.

But, like any business, there are good guides and bad ones. So, how do you know the difference? How do you find a great fishing guide or charter company? Should you go with a group fishing vacation or book privately? For hints and tips on how to choose an Alaskan fishing guide, keep reading.

Check References

Before you lay down a few grand for a private, multi-day fishing charter in Alaska, always check their references from previous clients. Ask for a phone number or email so that you can speak with the former client directly. If a company refuses to give you any references, don’t be inhibited about walking away.

In lieu of - or in addition to - checking client references, try making a quick phone call to the company’s local tourism office. Because the communities in Alaska are still small, the office should both know and be able to recommend the company’s services. If they don’t, they may have alternate recommendations for Alaska fishing guides.

Check Crew Qualifications

Always check whether a crew has its full licenses and certifications. You can do this when you arrive or ask your guide to fax this information to you. Ideally, you want to book a charter or guide company which employs a crew that’s not only experienced, but has a background in Alaskan waters.

Hire and Experienced, Local Guide

Ideally, your Alaska fishing guide or tour operator should either be an Alaskan native or have extensive working experience and history in the area. You want a guide that knows the waters, knows how to navigate them, can find the fish and lead you to the catch. Otherwise, you could simply rent a boat and go out alone.

One way to quantify a guide’s ability is to simply request their success rate and track record? How many fishers go home with a catch? What’s the average size or weight? And their biggest fish caught? Also, you should inquire about their safety record.

Find Out What Is and Isn’t Included

Some Alaska fishing guides include services like filleting, freezing, fish processing, equipment rentals, bait and licenses. Others charge extra for them. So, if a deal sounds too good to be true, make sure you ask exactly what’s included and what isn’t in your fishing expedition.

Most people only find the opportunity for an Alaska fishing trip adventure once in a lifetime. That being the case, you want to ensure that any guide you select is knowledgeable, professional, service-oriented, and has a wealth of experience on the Alaskan waters.