Experience Alaska Charters!
Helpful Alaska Charter Information
Boat, Fishing Gear and Methods
The Glory Days is a proven open-sea fishing boat. The boat fishes most comfortably with four guests, but can safely accommodate up to six, and frequently does so with ease. The boat is a fiberglass Deep-V 25.5’ Parker model with a custom-built aluminum motor pod that adds another 3 feet of length and stability to the hull.
The Deep-V hull with wide beam and flaring bow make this boat one of the most stable rides of any charter boat in the fleet. Twin four-stroke 175 Suzuki outboards provide the boat with ample speed and power to get around fast and safely, without the noxious smell of diesel or the fumes associated with two-stroke engines.
The cabin is equipped with state of the art electronics (including GPS, depth sounder fish finder, chart plotter, VHF radios, and radar), a portable head, twin berths, satellite radio, heater, a large bench seat and all of the necessary safety equipment. My experience with building boats in the winter has enabled me to add many extra features and amenities that make this boat the most efficient and comfortable fish-catching machine that it can be!
Fishing Gear and Methods
All of the gear I use on my boat is top of the line and well-maintained. I only use the best equipment, because when you come to fish here in Sitka your next fish may very well be a trophy and you don’t want to lose it due to faulty or cheap fishing gear.
When it comes to fishing for King and Coho salmon there are two proven methods: trolling and mooching. The Glory Days is equipped for both styles of salmon fishing.
For trolling the boat has two electric Scotty downriggers and a 9.9 hp. Yamaha outboard with an aft steering station allowing me to be on the back deck coaching the clients into setting the hook on what could be the biggest salmon of their lifetime. I use G-Loomis rods for both trolling and mooching. I use the Avet bait-casting reels due to their superior drag system and large, ergonomic handles which make them ideal when trolling. When mooching I pull out the Shimano Tekota level-wind reels, which have line-counters so you know exactly where your bait is.
The most successful halibut fishing in Sitka is done by anchoring the boat in a good location and dropping the bait down to the bottom. The rods are left in the rod holders to allow the bait to create a chum slick and lure the fish in. While chumming it is common for one of the fisherman to drop down a jig and hook some of the many rockfish, lingcod or yellow eye (red snapper) that inhabit the same haunts as halibut.
The rods that I use for halibut fishing are 6’ Seeker Classics with all roller guides. The rods have the strength and durability to pull up gigantic halibut; up to three to four hundred pounds, as well as six to seven hundred pound salmon sharks! When hooking onto one of these monster fish it can be helpful to strap on one of my many fighting belts or you can simply leave the rod in the holder to give your back a rest. The reels are Avet two-speeds strung with 80 lb spectra line for low drag and superior strength. Since the reels are designed for two speeds, you can switch gears to get a much-needed break when reeling up that hundred-plus pound halibut or monster lingcod!
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