frequently asked questions

**Be sure to check the FAQ page in our Resort Section for resort and RV-related FAQs.

How much are fishing licenses? Do you sell them at your office?
Non-resident licenses are:
1 day: $20, 3 day: $35, one week: $55, two weeks: $80, entire year: $145
A special King Salmon stamp is required on days fishing for kings, in addition to above they are:
1 day: $10, 3 day: $20, one week: $30, two weeks: $50, entire year: $100
We sell all the above at our offices.

When is the best time to fish?
It depends on what you want to fish for. Luckily, halibut is available throughout the summer. The only difference for halibut is the cycle of the tide. During clamming tides the tidewater moves very swiftly and we must use heavy weights to get the bait to the bottom where the fish are. That means more work—not necessarily worse fishing or smaller fish—just more work.

Since salmon spawn and then die, there are definite windows of opportunity for each species. Use the following as a guide to planning the timing of your trip around your desired species of salmon:

•  King salmon - (first run) - fish about 30 pounds start in saltwater May 1st and lasts there until mid June. Start into rivers third week May and lasts until end of June, More fish than second run but smaller.
•  King salmon - (second run) - fish 50 to 90 lbs. Only in Kenai River, starts July 1st, ends 31 July. Huge fish but not as many total fish as in the first run.
•  Red salmon - (first run) - Kenai and Kasilof River generally about the third week in June, not as many fish as second run of reds.
•  Red salmon - (second run) - Kenai River, huge run generally centered in third week of July.
•  Silver salmon - starts in Seward mid July and lasts until Labor Day, in Kasilof and Kenai Rivers in August and September.

Which is better- morning or afternoon halibut trips?
There is no statistical difference between morning or afternoon trips, or between high and low tides.

What is the best city to fly to? What type of transportation do I need?
Anchorage is the proper city to fly to. You would need to be able to drive a rental car from Anchorage to get to any of the fishing places, as the country is vast and remote and no public transportation is available. Our particular area is about 3 1/2 hours by car from Anchorage, and the trip is spectacular, with many places to stop for photos and enjoy scenery along the way. You can fly to Kenai, which is closer to us, but the additional flight leg is quite expensive and the rental vehicle will cost you more there.

What fishing gear is provided with your packages?
If you arrange a package (multi-day) fishing vacation with us, you will likely spend some days paying for a charter trip and some days fishing on your own, usually from the local riverbanks. On days that you pay to fish on a charter, all of your fishing gear, bait, etc. is provided, and fish filleting is included. On days you fish on your own, we supply fishing rods and reels, and you are responsible for terminal tackle (and/or bait) and fish filleting, although our employeess are usually able to help you if you approach them during business hours.

What extra fees are not included in the packages?
There are some miscellaneous fees you can expect to pay above the price of the package vacation.

Check your package quotes carefully. Unless otherwise negotiated, transportation, fishing licenses, fish processing fees, fish shipping charges, and gratuities (tips) are not included in the charter price. FEDEX shipping is available but is rather expensive, so we recommend you fly here with appropriate baggage to allow you to fly back with a fish box of frozen fish as part of your checked baggage.

Do I tip the boat crew?
Tipping is customary and usually done at the end of the trip. On average, as a suggestion, $10-$15 per person would be appropriate for good service on a normal day.

If you don’t cook our meals for us, what do we do about food?
Our cabins have fully furnished kitchens which allow you to function as if you were at home, including cooking your own meals if you so desire. We have a general store in town where you can buy appropriate food items. However, it is cheaper to purchase groceries in Anchorage or Soldtona from the larger chain stores. If you don't want to cook, or are just too tired after fishing, there are local restaurants (Alaskan small-town family-style businesses) that are within walking distance or a very short drive of less than a mile. Prices at these facilities are not as cheap as your local Burger King, but are not outrageous. The quality is quite good.

What is the difference in the size of fish caught at your location vs. others?Where can I catch the biggest fish?
There is no statistical difference in the size of fish or number of fish caught from either Homer, Anchor Point, or Ninilchik. We are all accessing the broad school of fish feeding in the ecosystem of Cook Inlet. That ecosystem is the important part: the flushing of tidewater, the long flat gravel and sand bottom, the huge natural baitfish runs. The important thing to remember is the difference between Cook Inlet and the other area's fish and ecosystems. Prince William Sound and Gulf Coast(Seward, Cordova, Valdez etc.) don't on average, have the number and size of fish as Cook Inlet. There are daily differences, of course, but in general Cook Inlet is the accepted halibut fishing capital.

What is the difference in fishing trips from your location vs. others? How does the act of fishing differ?
These are the major differences in the act of fishing:

1. Travel time: because of the differences in the starting points relative to the fishing grounds, the travel time from Ninilchik is much less than from Homer or Seward. Usually about 45 to 55 minutes compared to 2 to 3 hours.
2. In Ninilchik, we launch only at the prime time of the tide cycle, to coincide with the slack (no water movement) time of tide. This means we depart at different times of the day, depending on the cycle of the tide. We fish only when the tide is slowing or at a stop. At Homer and Seward, the boats leave the dock at the same time every day, regardless of the tide cycle.
3. The boats from Homer generally do not anchor. The boats from Ninilchik generally do. Bottom fishing from an anchored boat is a lot easier than from a drifting boat.
4. The boats from Homer are generally larger and hold more people than from Ninilchik. This is because the Ninilchik boats use a tractor launch service to launch from the beach. (Although we do have boats approved to hold more than six persons, we are the only one). The boats from Ninilchik are generally faster than the boats from Homer.
5. Because of a combination of all of the above, the overall lengths of the trips are different. Homer and Seward trips are usually about 10 hours and the Ninilchik trips are about 7. The time spent fishing is about the same.