Frequently asked questions about fishing from Seward.
Q: What is included in the price of a charter?
A: The charter price includes all the bait, tackle, and gear you’ll need, as well as the filleting of your catch.
Q: How far from Anchorage is Seward?
A: Seward is about 100 miles south of Anchorage on the Kenai Peninsula at the end of the Seward Highway.
Q: Where can I get lodging?
A: In Seward there are a lot of hotels, motels and B&B’s. Here a couple to try Hotel Seward Alaska and Hotel Edge Water.
Q: Do I need a fishing license?
A: Anyone aged 16 or older needs an Alaska State sport fishing license. For Alaska residents the cost is $24 annually. For non residents, license can be purchased for 1 day for $20.00; 3 days for $35.00; 7 days for $55.00 and two weeks for $80.00. A separate stamp is required for King Salmon fishing.
Q: Where can I buy a license?
A: They are available at Carr’s/Safeway grocery stores throughout Alaska and at the Fish House in Seward. They may also be ordered online through the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website.
Q: What do I need to bring?
A: In addition to a fishing license, you will need to bring food and beverages. We recommend you wear warm, layered clothing and waterproof shoes, and bring raingear, hat, gloves, sunscreen, sunglasses, and seasickness remedies. You might want to bring a camera and binoculars, as well. A cooler is helpful for transporting your fish home at the end of the day
Q: Should I bring a cooler on the boat?
A: You won’t need to bring your fish cooler out on the boat – there will be time to get it as the fish are being filleted. You’re welcome to bring a small cooler for your lunch, if you’d like.
Q: How long is the fishing trip?
A: The trip usually last about 8 to 10 hours, but we only do one trip a day so if you need time we don’t rush.
Q: Can I bring alcohol?
A: Although we do not allow hard liquor on board, you are welcome to enjoy a moderate amount of beer during your trip.
Q: Can I smoke?
A: You are welcome to enjoy a cigarette out on the deck.
Q: Can I bring my own rod and reel?
A: You are certainly free to bring your own gear, although we do supply gear as part of the trip.
Q: How can I pay?
A: For charters, we accept cash, checks, and VISA and MasterCard. We cannot accept Discover or American Express.
Q: What is your cancellation policy?
A: Trips canceled because of weather conditions will result in a complete refund of your deposit. Cancellations made 20 days or more prior to the trip result in a full refund. If the cancellation is made within the 20 days prior to the trip, your 50% deposit will be forfeited.
Q: Can we keep the fish we catch?
A: You decide whether or not to keep a fish you catch – we don’t choose your fish for you or make you keep fish you don’t want, unless that fish will not survive if it is released.
Q: What if I don’t want all my fish?
A: We ask that you release all fish that you don’t plan to eat. Sometimes people find out the cost of processing and shipping their fish then decide they don’t want it. Consider this as you’re out fishing and we’ll help you release the fish you don’t need.
Q: Where can I get my fish processed?
A: There are two fish processing companies in the Seward Small Boat Harbor: “J-Dock” is at the north end of the harbor, and “Captain Jack’s” is at the southern end of the harbor, near the Harbormaster’s office. They can vacuum pack and freeze your catch, then ship it to you or package it for you to take with you on the plane home.
Q: Do you “party fish”?
A: We do not party fish. It is illegal per Alaska State Law.
Q: Can I catch fish for my friend who’s sick?
A: Under Alaska law, the person who hooks the fish is the person who caught it. You can help someone reel up a fish, but they need to have hooked it or it will count against your catch limit.
Q: What is the catch limit for halibut? Salmon? Rockfish? Lingcod?
A: The catch limit for halibut is two per person per day. For salmon (excluding King or Chinook salmon), the limit is six per person per day. When fishing outside the bay, only three of these six can be silver salmon, while inside Resurrection Bay, all six could be silvers. The limit for black bass is five per person per day; for yelloweye rockfish and lingcod, the limit is one or two, depending on the area fished.
Q: How long does it take to get the fishing grounds?
A: When halibut fishing, it takes us about 1 hour to 2 hours to get to our prime fishing spots. For salmon, it really depends on where the fish are, and could be from 30 minutes to a 1 hour trip.
Q: How fast is the boat?
A: Our boats travel at speeds in excess of 22 knots.
Q: How long have you been doing this?
A: John has operated fishing charters out of Seward for 13 years and started Gotta Fish Charters in 1995.
