Frequently
Asked Questions
1.
What is the best way to find airline tickets to Alaska?
We highly recommend using one of these sources when booking your flight:
Compare the price of these three services and you'll get the best price
on your airline ticket.
2.
What city should we fly into?
We recommend flying into Anchorage. There is also the option
of flying into Kenai.
3.
What is the best way to travel within Alaska?
The best way to fully enjoy your traveling experience to Alaska is to
rent a vehicle out of Anchorage.
One of the most goreous and scenic drives you're likely to ever take is
from Anchorage toward the Kenai / Soldotna area.
Another option is to fly into Kenai via ERA or Grant airlines and rent
a vehicle, a bit more expensive although less driving involved.
Anchorage
Cars Rentals:
- Alamo
Rent A Car; 907-247-0017
- Dollar
Rent A Car; 907-248-5388
- Hertz
Rent A Car; 800-654-3131
- Ace
Rent A Car; 907-562-8078
Anchorage
RV Rentals:
Kenai
Car Rentals:
- Budget;
907-283-4507
-
Payless Car Rental; 800-729-5377
-
Avis Rent A Car;
907-283-7900
-
Great Alaska Car Co.; 907-283-3469
Additional
Transportation Information:
4. How do we get to
Alaska Classic Adventures?
View Larger Map
We are located in Kenai, Clam Gulch, and Ninilchik roughly 3 1/2 to 4
hours
south of Anchorage.
Depending on your itenary you may visit one or all of our destinations.
Our halibut charters are based out of our office located along the
Sterling highway;
40 miles south of the Kenai / Soldotna and 40 miles north of Homer in
the town of Ninilchik.
The one major highway running through
the Kenai Peninsula is called the Sterling Highway, some maps
list it as Alaska Highway 1. From Anchorage, drive south on the Seward
Highway to mile 37 and turn onto the Sterling Highway at that point.
Pass through Soldotna and continue southbound on the Sterling Highway
about 37 miles to mile 135.4, which is in the village of Ninilchik
about ¼ mile past the Ninilchik River.
Our fly outs are based out of Kenai as well as our salmon fishing
charters.
We also offer drift salmon fishing charters out of Kasilof.
Lodging maybe in Kenai, Clam Gulch, or Ninilchik.
Your itenary will have all your lodging and fishing locations as well
as directions to each locale.
5. When is the best time to fish?
It really will depend on what you want to fish for. Halibut
fishing is available all season long.
Salmon fishing on the other hand will offer different windows of
opportunity during the season.
Use the following as a guide to plan the timing of your trip around
which species of salmon you'd most like to catch:
King
Salmon: (first run) - Saltwater - May 1st - mid June. Kings
will start
their run into the rivers around the third week in May and the run will
last until the end of June. Usually more fish than second run
and a
bit smaller.
King Salmon: (2nd run) - No saltwater king
salmon fishing. Kings will begin their second run only in the
Kenai
river, starting July 1st and ending July 31st. Usually much
bigger
fish just not as many numbers as the first run.
Red Salmon /
Bearviewing: Fly outs to Wolverine Creek start June 1st
through end of
August. Lots of red salmon, black, brown bears during the
entire
summer. (Awesome family trip, very highly recommended).
Silver
Salmon: Fly outs to the west side of Cook Inlet begin in mid
July
through August. Fly outs will include such locations as the
Kustatan
river, Wolverine Creek, and the Chuitna river. Absolutely
incredible
silver salmon fishing.
Kenai / Kasilof river silver salmon fishing begins in August and ends
in September.
6.
What are the differences between fishing on the Kenai
& Kasilof rivers?
Kenai River Regulations and Licensing
- No
guided king fishing on Sunday-Monday in May, June, July (except
Memorial Day)
Remember:
Sunday-Monday are ideal days for Halibut trips, Kenai trout,
Kasilof kings, or flyouts.
- One Kenai king per day, two per
season
- Through June 30, kings must be less
than 44" or 55" or longer
- License & king stamp
required
- King salmon season ends July 31.
- Sockeye limit 3 per day
- Silver limit 2 per day
- Silver salmon season from Aug 4th -
Sept 30.
- No guided silver salmon fishing on
Mondays in Aug or Sept.
Kasilof
River Regulations
- One
king per day, up to 3 total from Kasilof per season
- License & king stamp
required
- King salmon season ends July 31.
- Drift Boat fishing only
- No guided fishing on Sundays in
July.
- Sockeye limit 3 & silver
limit 2 per day
- Buy your License & King Stamp ONLINE
Many people have a personal preference whether to fish either the Kenai
or Kasilof. Both rivers offer different techniques and
challenges, we
highly recommend fishing both rivers during your stay. The Kenai is a
motorized experience and this is the
traditional method that most fisherman like to experience
because of the accessibility of covering more of the
Kenai and having the option of catching the worlds
largest king salmon. Others prefer a more tranquil and natural
experience of having the guide row while drifting on the Kasilof. In
June this may be the preferred method of fishing for Kings as clients
are allowed to use bait on the Kasilof.
7. 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:
- 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 35 to 55 minutes compared to 2 to 3 hours.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The boats from Ninilchik are
generally faster than the boats from Homer.
- 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 hours. The time spent fishing is about the same.
8. 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.
9.
How do we book dates and make reservations?
You can Email Us
or call 1-888-776-8882.
Alaska Classic Adventures requires 50% deposit of total charter to hold
reservation dates.
All package pricing is per person based upon double occupancy.
Balance will be due upon arrival.
We accept check, money order, or Visa/Mastercard.
10.
What do you provide on your trips?
We provide top quality gear
consisting of Northwestern rods and high-end Penn reels.
We only use the very best in fishing equipment.
All bait and tackle are also included as well as free fish filleting.
11. 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, taxes, 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.
12.
Where can I get a fishing license, king
tag and what are the costs?
License
Rates
for NON-RESIDENT
2007:
| Fishing
License: |
|
King
Salmon Tag: |
| 1
- Day |
$20.00 |
|
1
- Day |
$10.00 |
| 3
-
Day |
$35.00 |
3
- Day |
$20.00 |
| 7
-
Day |
$55.00 |
7
- Day |
$30.00 |
| 14
- Day |
$80.00 |
14
- Day |
$50.00 |
| Annual
License |
$145.00 |
Annual
License |
$100.00 |
License
Rates
for
RESIDENT
2007:
| King
Salmon Tag |
$10.00 |
| Annual
License |
$24.00 |
Purchase
your fishing license online today! Click Here
Important
License Info: If you
are 60 and an Alaskan resident, you are not required to buy either a
King Salmon tag or a fishing license. You are required to have a
HARVEST LICENSE, which is free. Nonresidents are required to buy a
license and a tag. Residents and nonresidents under 16 do not require a
fishing license but must have a HARVEST license which is free. Fishing
licenses may be purchased at sports stores or retail businesses.
13.
Where can I get my fish processed and how
do I get it home?
There are processing plants close to us. We already have a processor we
work with that will take care of all your needs.
A fish processor will Fed Ex your fish for you after it is
processed or you may take it home as baggage on your flight.
You are
allowed to bring your catch in a box to the airport for free. You do
not have to
pay for your extra box if you are under the baggage limit.
14. What will the weather be like?
Early
summer will have
temperatures in the 40's and 50's with mid-summer temperatures reaching
into the 70's on some days. Rain is always a possibility during
Alaska's summers. Wearing layered clothes and bringing lightweight rain
gear will prepare you for all the possibilities. A hat and polarized
sunglasses are highly recommended as well as a good sun screen for
sunny days. And always remember to bring along your camera to capture
the excitement of your trip.
15.
What make and size is your halibut charter boat, how many
seats does it have, and how many clients can you take out at
one time?
The Frontiersmen
is a 32-ft custom aluminium vessel specially designed for sportfishing
in Alaska. A first class charter boat with a clean,
private bathroom and a spacious, heated cabin, a cozy place to get out
of the elements and drink a hot cup of coffee. The rear deck has more
than enough fishing space with ample seating. Our boat runs
twin Honda 225hp marine motors with cruising speeds of 20 to 25 knots
enable us to get you to the fish quicker and more comfortably: "less
time running means more time fishing!"
The Frontiersmen is a
fully-insured vessel, enrolled in the US Coast Guard 5-star program and
has undergone extensive port and on the water safety inspections. The
electronics and safety equipment on board are the very best and always
kept up to date.
We limit our charters to six people, allowing everyone aboard ample
space to fish and enjoy themselves. There's nothing worse
than
fishing elbow to elbow on an overcrowded boat. There are many
charters in the area that take more than six people at a time, and we
would never recommend these types of "party" charters. You
simply
will not get the best possible experience.
16. 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. The quality usually
quite good.
For any and all other questions don't hesitate to Email Us or call 1-888-776-8882.
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