I signed up for a day on the Kasilof river for salmon fishing and paid a good price to do so. The technique used by the guide was the identical one used by the people on the Kenai River. Our guide either sat on the boat and smoked on the boat or tried catching fish themselves (more than tending to the needs of the clients). Do yourself a favor. Go to one of the many local outdoor centers and buy yourself a fishing rod and appropriate hooks and licences. Go to the Kenai River and ask one of the hundreds of people how to catch a salmon (or just watch them...they all use the same technique). You will catch more fish, spend less money, meet more friendly people and get to keep your rod afterwards.I gave it two stars because the trip was always safe, the guide was on time and nothing bad happened on the water.
I would recommend them to anyone!!!! We were suppose to go out with Allen but the day before we were suppose to go fish the boat we were suppose to be on broke down. we were asked if we wouldn't mind waiting an extra day and go on Sunday. It was our sons dream to go fishing in Alaska so we agreed to wait till Sunday. The day we originally were suppose to go fishing it was really cold and windy. on the day we went everything was perfect. I was hoping to get pictures of the boys fishing. I caught my limit of Halibut within the first hour (one was 55 lbs the second was 45lbs) the boys continued to fish so I got my pictures. when the boys brought up a fish they were asked if they wanted to keep it or send it back.. We all caught our limit. Seth and Joey were great. I will go with them the next time we go to alaska
We took a halibut charter with CAPT John and Zack on September 2, 2012. They honestly were the best guides we have ever taken. The seas were rough and it was coldy and rainy, but both of them were always there to assist us. They were not overbearing or get in our way. CAPT John also communicated well with all of us on the boat by updating us on how long it would be to our arrival, how much longer we had to fish and move on, and did all they could to help us catch fish. I recommend this company because they look out for the customer's best interest. When we returned from fishing, they filet all of our fish which was a plus!
The was the trip of 7 family members, a father treating his 4 sons, a grandson and son-in-law to an Alaskan adventure. Our guide service stated she chose AFISHUNT because of there ability to handle all of us on one boat. Also mentioned they were more costly than the others. The boat was very nice and clean, well equipped. Captain Arthur was very knowledgeable about fishing and the area. All but one of the trip members had not been to Alaska or been on a halibut charter. Hearing the stories and seeing all the pictures of nice fish, we were hoping to get some decent fish. Something in the 40-60 lb range. The disappointment started when we were encouraged to keep a 34" long (20 lb) fish for the over 29" size limit. This was early into fishing trip!! Sure enough, that ended up being the biggest size we ended up with. It was disappointing that little to no effort was made to try to find bigger fish. Also, the full day trip ended in 1/2 day- there was plenty of time to find nicer fish. Overall the trip experience was good, but it wasn't fantastic. Not much to write home about on the halibut catch.
Four men and a guide in a drift boat on the Kasilof River in Alaska's Kenai River, AND ONE OF THEM WAS ME!!I had always dreamed of salmon fishing in Alaska, and good fortune found me there during the silver salmon run. The total experience with Afishunt was more than I could have expected. My guide was professional, patient, helpful, and fun to be with. And he also got the salmon to cooperate in allowing me to catch my limit. I highly recommend this company for a great Alaska fishing experience.
Three of 5 clients on the our boat did NOT get their limit. But Zack the guide with his GoPro camera attached to his line was the first to get his limit before any clients! I always wanted to fish in Alaska, I saved up for this trip. Hiring a guide to get me out safely and assist me cause I had never fished for Halibut. But what I got was a guide who was more interested in catching his own fish and playing with his GoPro on my paid time. Seth the Captain was a nice guy. He asked Zach not to fish but he didn't listen until he caught his limit. I felt bad for Paul to new guy, Zach was not training but being bossy and condescending toward him. He is a very nice boy I hope he makes it, he was trying to be helpful but he wasn't getting much help from his peers. At the end they rushed us back to find out they had another group to take out. We were suppose to have a full day of Halibut and salmon combo according to my itinerary we did not have a full day. We got out at 9 and back by 3 and we never fished for salmon. Nor got my limit! I feel if I ever save enough money to come back it will not be with Afishunt, I suggest looking elsewhere when you book a trip like this .Raffaella
I am going to put our stay with Alaskan Angler/ Afishunt Charters in chronological order so please read the whole review, and I am sorry that it is so long but we had an awesome time with these people. BTW, we came home with 450 lbs of halibut…My wife and I plus another couple fished 4 days for halibut with Afishunt Charters. Our accommodations were in two of their cabins the last full week of July 2012. The cabins looked small on the outside but were nice once you were in. Ours had a queen bed in the downstairs bedroom and a queen and 3 twins upstairs. The couch also pulled out into a bed if needed. It was very comfortable, well stocked, and the beds were even great.Our first halibut trip was with Captain Allen who we found to be very nice, knowledgeable, and knew how to catch fish. We had a great time and everyone limited out. We were surprised that Allen took time throughout our stay to stop by our cabin at night if it wasn’t too late to see how we had done that day fishing for halibut or reds on the Kenai. Our second Halibut outing was on Arthur’s boat the “Hard Eight”. Arthur (we called him “King Arthur”) was a riot. We had a great time with him and he too was very nice and knew where to go so we all limited out again. We really enjoyed our day and even met Arthur and his great deck hand for dinner that night at a local restaurant.Our third day was with Captain Brian and the only thing I can agree with in the other two reviews is that he is quiet, but that was okay with me because if I wanted someone to talk to me all day long I would have invited my mother in-law. Brian was very attentive and knew EVERYTHING that was going on in the boat. My friend kept reeling to fast (like he was still on the Kenai) whenever he had a bite. When he was getting the fifth bite of the day we heard Brian say in a calm, normal voice (he didn’t yell at him), “don’t reel yet, you have already missed four fish so wait until I tell you to reel”. The fish Brian helped him catch was a 51 pounder and the next one was 45 pounds, in fact no one caught less than a 40 pounder that day. We had such a good time that we asked to be on Brian’s boat our last trip. That day we had a retired couple in their mid to late 70’s on board. The wife had had 2 strokes in 2011 and Halibut fishing was on her bucket list. Brian and his deckhand were both very attentive to everyone on the boat but really went out of their way to help this lady live her dream as she walked away with a 35 and 40 pounder, reeling both of them (with Brian’s help) up herself. This couple was so excited about their day that they booked another fishing trip for three days later and asked that Brian be their captain again.Everyone at Alaskan Angler RV Resort/ Afishunt Charters were awesome from Sharron and John the owners, all three captains we fished with, the gals that cut up our fillets and vacuum packed them and the rest of the staff at the RV Park. This is a top notch charter and RV park that everyone should try if they have a chance.We will all return to Alaska in a couple of years to fish again. We will stay at the Alaskan Angler RV Resort, and we all agree that we WILL ask to fish with Brian again. Don’t let those other two reviews keep you from a great fishing trip!!!
Had reservation for May 20th but too windy. I had one more day to work with but would need to be in Anchorage to catch flight back up to Fairbanks at 8pm. We did the math and as they go out around the tides they were going out very early, 7am, and would be back in time to get me on the road in time. As I'd signed up for a Combo (Halibut and then King Salmon) charter and they didn't have any going out the next day they said they'd put me up for a night at no additional cost.(Combo was a bit more $ but still was generous of them to put me up)Charter itself was fine with good crew. Cap'n Arthur had gone to School at UAF up in Fairbanks and so knows the interior. Nice to have someone with Alaskan experience. Got limit no problem.There was a couple on the charter who had also booked a river fishing charter the next day but with Funny River Fire getting bad, more the heavy nasty smoke than anything, the folks in the office figured it would not be worth it so radioed the boat and offered to do another trip which would likely be more smoke free and they said they would go with that.I experienced and saw another example of excellent service. Really helpful effort made to their customers.Very nice RV/ campground as well. Above and beyond service which made my heading back to Fairbanks with Halibut fillets possible in spite of Mother Natures tantrums.Ninilchik is the closest to where you'll fish for Halibut. So Homer is nice but for Charters you'll have to spend more time (and so the boat burns more fuel and guess who's buying that?) to get to the fish.I'd fished outa Homer twice but will aim for Ninilchik from now on.And definitely will go with Afishunt Charters!
My father in law and I did a Halibut trip on the Hard Eight with Captain Arthur and mate Eric on August 24th, 2012. This was my second trip on this boat with this captain, I had a good experience the first time around and this time again. The seas were a bit rough this day, so the trip out to and back from the fishing grounds was a little rough, but unavoidable. The fishing was very good once we got there, all on the boat got their limit and seemed to have a good time doing so. Arthur and Eric were very professional, courteous, and attentive. Afishunt is a very efficient operation and I recommend them highly.
When you need a decent shower after quite some days in a camper, this a the place. Spacious and hot! Also laundromats where you can buy detergent. Bring quarters, although there is a coinchange.