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If you want to know what it feels like to wrestle a dinosaur out of the ocean while standing on a rocking boat in Alaska… book yourself a charter fishing trip on the Alaskan C Gal with Captain Shelby.
This was my very first halibut trip, and let me tell you — I walked off the boat with sore arms, salty hair, and the biggest grin you can imagine.
Dress for the Wild Ride
Let’s start with the basics: charter fishing excursions in Juneau are not “sit in the sun and sip a cocktail” kind of trips. Think cooler temps, wind, and spray off the water.
Layer up, throw on a waterproof jacket, and expect things to get a little choppy out there. I was grateful for every piece of gear I packed.
Pro tip: Bring gloves if you’ve got them. Your hands will thank you.
Halibut 101: The Heavyweights
Halibut was new to me, and wow — it’s no joke. We dropped lines down 350–355 feet with weights and circle hooks, and then the waiting game began. Halibut don’t strike like salmon; they nibble at the bait, and when they decide to take it, they hook themselves. That’s when the real “fun” begins.
The trick isn’t hooking them — it’s reeling them up. From that depth, every crank feels like a gym workout. By the time you get a halibut to the surface, your arms are screaming, but so is your adrenaline. You’re only allowed one per person, but even a modest catch yields about 10 pounds of meat. At nearly $30 a pound, you’re reeling up a few hundred dollars’ worth of Alaskan gold.
King Salmon: The Fighters
King salmon are a totally different battle. They cruise anywhere from 25 to 75 feet down, and you’ve got to be lightning fast. If you don’t set the hook the second they hit, they’re gone. And even when you do, they fight like champs — twisting, running, and sometimes wriggling off before you can reel them in. On top of that, many are too small to keep, which adds another layer of challenge.
Still, when you do land one? It’s pure adrenaline. Few catches feel as rewarding as bringing a king salmon to the deck.
Coho: The Sweet Spot
While kings can be elusive, coho (silver salmon) often bring the win. They’re lively, fun to fight, and more likely to end up in your cooler. Coho are crowd-pleasers, both for the rush of the catch and for how good they taste grilled up later.
Captain Shelby & Aiden: The Dream Team
What makes the Alaskan C Gal stand out isn’t just the fish — it’s the crew. Captain Shelby knows these waters like the back of her hand, reading the tides and spotting the fish with ease.
And with Aiden on deck, the whole experience is smooth, safe, and just plain fun. They cheered us on, helped wrangle the gear, and made sure every catch turned into a story worth telling.
Why It’s Worth It
Charter fishing in Juneau isn’t just about filling a cooler — though trust me, that’s a perk. It’s about testing yourself against the wild, connecting to Alaska in the most hands-on way possible, and coming home with memories (and sore muscles) that last a lifetime.
So yes, my arms are still recovering. But the next time I see halibut on a menu for $29.50 a pound? I’m going to smile, remembering the day I caught my own.
Would I do it again? In a heartbeat.
