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"It was hands down the best fishing trip of my life."

Matt Richter

What you need to know for your 2022 Fishing Charter in Whittier Alaska

Everything you need to know for your 2022 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 2021. 

 

Please make sure you are in line at 6:15 a.m. for the tunnel opener on your charter day as we would like you one of the first cars through the tunnel.   When you arrive through the tunnel into Whittier continue going straight until you see the 2ndharbor 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 (it is next to the train caboose that is the Coast Guard building). Park in the center spaces close to the harbormaster’s office. Do not park in the very front row next to the sidewalk as this is reserved for 2-hour parking only. Parking Permits are $12. There is a yellow electronic pay per park meter in front of the Coast Guard caboose next to the harbormaster’s office. You will need your license plate number of your vehicle to enter into the machine as well as a credit card to pay the permit fee. Please be prepared as time is limited before we meet at 6:45am.

 

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. 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 please 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 processor at the end of the day. He ensures your comfort for 11 hours.

The standard tip for a deckhand in Alaska is  20% ($80 – 90  pp) on a regularly priced charter.  If your captain is also your deckhand for the day, a 20% tip ($80 – 90 pp) is still standard.

If for any reason, you feel that your 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 not happy with the Captain please contact the owner immediately.  You should have cell phone service on the water.  907-360-7975

 

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

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 times that weather and time do not permit us fishing for more than just one species.  In this case we do not give a refund in any amount.

If you read through this and follow our suggestions and advice you’ll have a wonderful time. We look forward to seeing you on the day of your charter. Please keep in mind that the day/night before belongs to the clients of that day. We ask that you not come down to the boat the night before as we are still giving our 100% to the clients from that day. We know you are excited and we promise you will have our undivided attention on the day of your charter. Stay fishy my friends and we look forward to seeing you.

 

 

 

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