How do I get my catch processed and shipped home?

Professional processing will last you over 2 years, where a typical Food Saver will keep your fish for approximately 3 months.

I understand that people sometimes balk at the price of processing, but please TRUST ME, it is worth every penny you spend on it.  YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT.

You come in with thousands of dollars worth of fish off of your Whittier Alaska Fishing Charter, don’t you think you want to keep it as fresh as the day you caught it?

On the way home from the fishing grounds, the deckhand will fillet your fish and bag it.  At the end of the day, he will wheel the fish up to your car or to the parking lot at the top of the pedestrian ramp. Please make sure you have a cooler or fish box to transport your fish.  Please, however, leave these in your car and do not bring them on the boat.  IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A VEHICLE, please make arrangements ahead of time as to what you would like to do to your fish.  We recommend:

10th and M Seafoods in Anchorage (907-272-3474)

Indian Valley Meats in Indian on way up to Anchorage (907-653-7511)

J Dock in Seward (907-244-3300)

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What you need to know for your 2023 Fishing Charter in Whittier Alaska

Everything you need to know for your 2023 fishing charter in Whittier, Alaska.

First let me thank you for booking your Alaskan fishing adventure with Saltwater Excursions. We look forward to meeting you on the M/V Saltwater Addiction. If you are a returning client welcome back!

 

The very important details:

Please make sure your cell phone is on at 5:00 pm the night before in case we need to get a hold of you for any weather issues that may arise on the day of your charter.

You must have a paper copy of your fishing license in order to fish. If you show up with a digital license or no license, you will have a very nice day of sightseeing and whale watching, but you will NOT BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE in any of the fishing activities. Licenses can be purchased at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Website.  You will need a non-resident sport fish license if you are coming in from out of town.  No stamps are needed.  If you have a permanent AK fishing license or are a youth not requiring a fishing license please make sure you show up with a paper harvest card. NO EXCEPTIONS FOR 2023. 

We do not answer the phone on the morning of your charter so please make sure to bring these directions with you. 

The next statements are Kristen being really harsh, please keep your seatbelts fastened and your hands inside the ride at all times: 😁

We will meet at the top of the pedestrian ramp just to the RIGHT-HAND SIDE of the harbormaster’s office at 6:45 am (This ramp is directly BEHIND the BRIGHT BLUE PWS Salt Company building). DO NOT BE LATE. We run on Alaska Charter Boat Time not Alaska Tourist Time. WE WILL LEAVE WITHOUT YOU AND THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS. Again, I repeat DO NOT BE LATE. 6:45 is on time, 6:46 is late. Please be respectful of the other people on your charter that day. If you cannot be there and ready at 6:45, there is a tunnel opener at 5:30 am that you can get through so you have time to dilly dally (get coffee, use the bathroom, put together your things, look at the beautiful scenery etc., but do not be late).

 

WHAT TO BRING

FISHING LICENSE – NO STAMPS REQUIRED

WARM CLOTHES

RAIN COAT AND

RAIN PANTS (Frogg Toggs are packable and durable and $20 at Walmart)

SUNGLASSES

SUN SCREEN

WATERPROOF FOOTWEAR

FOOD AND DRINK FOR THE DAY – Alcohol ok in non-glass containers

GOOD VIBES

GOOD FISHING MOJO

GOOD ATTITUDE

BAD JOKES

GOOD SENSE OF HUMOR

TIP FOR DECKHAND

 

WHAT NOT TO BRING

CIGARETTES, CIGARS, PIPES – This is a non-smoking vessel

MARIJUANA IN ANY FORM – Illegal on Coast Guard regulated vessels

NO CHEST COOLERS

NO STYROFOAM COOLERS

NO CHEST WADERS

NO HIP-BOOTS

NO HANDHELD GPS’s

NO BANANAS

TOO MUCH PRESSURE ON YOURSELF OR THE CREW

COVID -19

 

How much do I tip the deckhand?

A lot have people have asked me, “what is appropriate to tip the deckhand”. The deckhand works for tips only. Your deckhand does a lot while you are enjoying yourself, including keeping you safe, baiting hooks, untangling lines, icing down your catch, keeping the deck clean, telling bad jokes, making gourmet coffee for you etc. Most importantly, he helps and directs you on how to land your fish and he filets your fish on the ride home.  Once we dock, he will wheel it up to your car or to the top of the pedestrian ramp at the end of the day. He ensures your comfort for 11 hours. We strive to be a 5-star outfit.

A standard tip for a deckhand is 20%.  This equates to about $90-$100 per person on a full priced charter. If your captain is also your deckhand for the day a 20% tip ($90-$100 pp) is still standard.

If for any reason, you feel that he is not doing a good job, please inform the Captain as soon as possible, preferably BEFORE THE END OF THE TRIP so we can get things turned around quickly.  If you are not happy with the Captain please contact the owner immediately.  You should have cell phone service on the water 907-360-7975.

The captain unfortunately cannot control the sea state and sometimes it gets a bit rough in certain areas.  The Captain will operate the boat in a manner to make your ride as comfortable as possible while still maintaining a safe speed for the vessel.  Sometimes this will give you a rough ride.

 

On seasickness

If you suffer from motion sickness or if you do not know if you suffer from motion sickness, we recommend that you start your Dramamine the NIGHT BEFORE. Please do not show up in the morning just have taken Dramamine. We actually recommend that you do not take it in the morning at all. Take it the night before.

If you decide to take scopolamine patches follow the directions of your doctor. This charter captain also recommends getting a prescription for Zofran if you are unsure and to start taking BEFORE you start feeling nauseated. Famous last words I have heard a thousand times….“I’ve never gotten sick before in my life”, “I’ve been on the water my whole life”, “I grew up on a boat”. Wouldn’t you rather be prepared than unprepared? Trust me.

 

Some Additional Notes

**Please inform the owner, prior to payment, if you or anyone in your party exceeds 275 pounds**

We sell multi-species trips.  We will do our best to get as many fish in the boat as we can every single day.  There may be days that weather and time do not permit us to fish for more than just one species.  In this case we do not give a refund in any amount. Our typical day starts with approximately a 2.5 hour boat ride to the fishing grounds.  We usually start out with halibut.  The halibut limit is 2 halibut.  One halibut can be of any size, the second halibut is usually federally regulated to a 28 inch fish.  Unless the small fish limit is 32 inches or more, we do not stick around to fish for the second halibut.  The silver salmon limit is 3 salmon in Prince William Sound and the rockfish limit is 4; 1 of which can be a pelagic.  We often get lingcod, but we do not fish for them.  The limit on lingcod is 1.  Keep in mind these are limits and there are NO GUARANTEES that you will get a limit of any or all species.

National Disasters Happen.  COVID-19, Fires, Erupting Volcanos, Tsunamis, Earthquakes etc.  Our Terms and Conditions will still be enforced.

COVID-19 has been listed as a national pandemic.  Travel insurance is now not covering cancellations due to COVID-19.  If you cancel due to COVID-19 sickness or other travel issues or any other COVID-19 reason you will still be held accountable to the same cancellation policy as stated in our terms and conditions on the Saltwater Excursions, LLC website.  www.saltwaterexcursions.com/terms-and-conditions-2/

Fires have been known to close highways in Alaska down.  It is still your responsibility to show up at the charter on time. Please plan accordingly.  For this reason, I do still recommend travel insurance.

On Processing Fish

On the way home from the fishing grounds, the deckhand will fillet your fish and bag it.  At the end of the day, he will wheel the fish up to your car or to the parking lot at the top of the pedestrian ramp. Please make sure you have a cooler or fish box to transport your fish.  Please, however, leave these in your car and do not bring them on the boat.  IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A VEHICLE, please make arrangements ahead of time as to what you would like to do to your fish.  We recommend:

10th and M Seafoods in Anchorage (907-272-3474)

Indian Valley Meats in Indian on way up to Anchorage (907-653-7511)

J Dock in Seward (907-244-3300)

 

 

 

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Where do we meet you in the morning?

Make sure you are in line at 6:15 a.m. for the 6:30 a.m. tunnel opening.

When you arrive through the tunnel into Whittier continue going straight until you see the harbor on the left side of the road. Look for the blueish grey building with lots of antennas on the top. This is the harbormaster’s office. Park in the center spaces close to the harbormaster’s office. Do not park in the very front row as this is reserved for 2 hour parking only.

Parking Permits are $11. There is a yellow electronic pay per park meter in front of the caboose next to the harbormaster’s office. You will need your license plate number to enter into the machine.

We will meet at the top of the pedestrian ramp that goes down to the boats at 6:45 (just to the right of the harbormasters office).

DO NOT BE LATE AS WE WILL LEAVE WITHOUT YOU!

BE 100% READY TO GO AT 6:45.

NO CHEST COOLERS, NO CHEST WADERS, NO HIP-BOOTS, NO BANANAS

How much do I tip the Crew?

How much do I tip the deckhand?

A lot have people have asked me, “what is appropriate to tip the deckhand”. The deckhand works for tips only. Your deckhand does a lot while you are enjoying yourself, including keeping you safe, baiting hooks, untangling lines, icing down your catch, keeping the deck clean, telling bad jokes, making gourmet coffee for you etc. Most importantly, he helps and directs you on how to land your fish and he filets your fish on the ride home. Once we dock he will wheel it up to your car or to the processor at the end of the day. He ensures your comfort for 11 hours.

A 20% tip ($80-$90 per person) is the standard tip for a deckhand on a charter boat in Alaska.  If your captain is also your deckhand, a 20% tip ($80-$90 per person) is still appropriate.

If for any reason, you feel that the deckhand is not doing a good job, please inform the Captain as soon as possible, preferably before the end of the trip so we can get things turned around quickly. If you are unhappy with the Captain, please contact the owner immediately.  You should have cell phone service on the water.  907-360-7975  Please do not wait until you get back to the dock.

Broiled Salmon and Wild Rice Salad

Serves 4

1 cup wild rice
½ cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
3 cups chopped baby spinach
1 cup finely chopped cucumber
1 cup chopped cherry tomatoes
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoon chopped fresh dill

4 (5 oz) salmon fillets
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
½ cup fresh lemon juice

For the Wild Rice Salad: In a medium saucepan bring 3 cups water to boiling. Add rice; reduce heat to low. Simmer, covered, 40 minutes or until tender; drain.

Place rice in a large bowl. Add vinegar and oil; toss well. Add spinach, cucumber, tomatoes, garlic, dill, and freshly ground black pepper to taste; toss. Set aside until ready to serve.

For the Salmon; preheat broiler. Coat a broiler pan with nonstick cooking spray. Season fillets with paprika and red pepper flakes, and drizzle with lemon juice. Place fillets on broiler pan. Broil 5 inches from heat source 7 to 10 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Serve with wild rice salad.