Fishing Alaska

Joined: Feb 2019

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SSC OP

Outdoorsman

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We are going to spend 10 days in Alaska with our trip beginning in Anchorage and heading up to Fairbanks. Will stay a couple of nights in Talkeetna and a night in Seward.
Is there a couple of lures that are better than others to fish Alaska rivers in mid July? Or are salmon eggs the best? I could fly fish but seem to catch more on regular rod and reel. Any other pointers will be appreciated.

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David Welcher

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I’ll be interested in this thread so please update on your adventure. Alaska is on my bucket list and will be going in the next few years.

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Fish-ed

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Salmon eggs are what I used way back in 1978 when I was stationed up there. I used them for fishing for salmon. I also used Mepps lures for other fish.

just trying to catch a fish

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outfishdya

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Once you head north out of Anchorage, you will likely be in Glacial runoff and fish can not survive in it because of the silt, or maybe they can survive, but will not stay in it. There are feeder creeks into the glacial rivers that hold fish. I was amazed to find the beautiful blue river we had followed for many hours was fishless.

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fishincontrol

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Big treble hooks in Seward for those salmon. Puffin Charters put us on 3 halibut over 100 pounds each near Montaque Island…58 mile boat ride but well worth it.

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Txbassin

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How about a recipe for those sea bass?
I have some in my freezer and cant come up with a recipe that makes me want to eat them.

Last edited by Txbassin; 05/30/25 11:26 PM.

NO FISH NO FRIEND !!!!!

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Fishspanker

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The dip netting at the inlet of the Kenai river is insane action watching residents battle it out with long nets. It lasts July 10 thru 31. Whole town goes crazy.

I have traveled to a number of great places over the years. The Kenai peninsula in July would be lower on my list. Way too many people.

We went to Silver Salmon Lodge in Lake Clark National Park to our second trip to Alaska. That was an infinitely better trip. Also much more expensive. Brown bear watching was phenomenal. The food was off the charts.

If you are there when the Bears are at Brooks Falls the day floatplane trip is so worth the cost. We went with Bald Mountain Air. It was great. I think when we went it was $850 per person. Now it’s $1,350. Still worth it.

Last edited by Fishspanker; 05/31/25 07:50 PM.

The Sheep who only fears the Wolf is eaten by the Shepherd.

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Osbornfishing

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Snagging is different from flossing. Snagging is only legal in a few situations and is accomplished by taking a large weighted treble hook and jerking it through the water to hook a fish anywhere in the body. There is a learning curve to do it correctly and be effective. I only did it one day using my Plnor (pole and line no reel) technique. I landed a nice salmon without a reel, so that was fun. Flossing uses a weight or weighted lure with a long leader attached to a fly. The idea is to have the line run into the mouth of the fish, pulling the hook up to the mouth. Sine the fish is hooked in the mouth with a lure it is a legal fish.

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Osbornfishing

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How about a recipe for those sea bass?
I have some in my freezer and cant come up with a recipe that makes me want to eat them.

The sea bass was really good. Do you like it grilled pr fried?

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Txbassin

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I have tried blackened and oven baked.
Both times I removed the skin it has such a strong fishy taste we have given up.
But willing to try another recipe.
The halibut & ling cod all are delicious!

NO FISH NO FRIEND !!!!!

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Osbornfishing

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I have tried blackened and oven baked.
Both times I removed the skin it has such a strong fishy taste we have given up.
But willing to try another recipe.
The halibut & ling cod all are delicious!

First cut out all the dark meat on the filets; every piece. Then soak in milk overnight. Mix 3 cups yellow corn meal, 1/4 cup flour, and 3 tablespoons of your favorite creole, steak, or blackened seasoning. I also add red pepper flakes for a little heat. Pour off the milk and rinse filets in water. Partially dry with a paper towel. Put some of the fry mix in a zip lock bag. Cut filets into small thin pieces and put the filets in the fry mix, a couple at a time, to heavily coat the filets. Fry at 400 degrees until the filets float in the grease. Try using ranch as a dip for the filets (don’t knock it until you try it). If that doesn’t work give the filets to someone else.

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Osbornfishing

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Fishspanker

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Snagging is different from flossing. Snagging is only legal in a few situations and is accomplished by taking a large weighted treble hook and jerking it through the water to hook a fish anywhere in the body. There is a learning curve to do it correctly and be effective. I only did it one day using my Plnor (pole and line no reel) technique. I landed a nice salmon without a reel, so that was fun. Flossing uses a weight or weighted lure with a long leader attached to a fly. The idea is to have the line run into the mouth of the fish, pulling the hook up to the mouth. Sine the fish is hooked in the mouth with a lure it is a legal fish.

Sounds like we were flossing. Single hook. Not too big.

The Sheep who only fears the Wolf is eaten by the Shepherd.