Alaska Fishing Cruise

Flies or Lures - Salt and Freshwater Fishing

The MV Equinox Liveaboard - SE Alaska

Cruise, Fish, and Explore... Baranof Island and Sitka, Alaska's vast coastal waters, aboard the Equinox, a 65-foot liveaboard charter vessel. Rugged peaks, pristine waters, and a temperate rainforest—at 17 million acres, Tongass National Forest is the nation's largest national forest. Cruise the Inside Passage. Whale Watching Excursions. Every trip is unique and tailored to your group's interests. Sitka is only a 2.5-Hour Flight from Seattle. Book now for 2025.


Alaska Liveaboard Hosts

Angler with Bright Rainbow Trout

The Captains:  Brooks, a co-owner, has his 100-ton master's license and has been guiding in Sitka's fresh and saltwater for eighteen years. Cameo, also a co-owner, has 20 years of boating experience and her six-pack Captain license.
Group Size:  Maximum of six guests per cruise. The Equinox does not mix groups, so you will need to get a group together.
2024 Fishing Season: runs April through September are the most productive months.
Sitka, Alaska's prime location, collects north and south-migrating salmon in an excellent overlap. Nutrient-rich waters support clouds of bait that feed salmon, halibut, and other species that thrive here.

Customize Your 5 to 8-Day Itinerary.

Rafting a Salmon-Filled Stream

Custom Itineraries to match your interests from salt and freshwater fishing, crabbing, kayaking, photography, hot springs, hiking, paddleboarding, snorkeling...
On the Ocean:
• Saltwater fishing for salmon, halibut, rockfish, and ling cod.
• Crabbing and shrimping.
Kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkeling.
On the Rivers:
• Freshwater fly and spin fishing for steelhead, salmon, trout, and dolly varden.
• Wildlife viewing of bears, deer, eagles, land otters, mink, and more.
On the Shore:
• Hiking and exploring.
• Beachcombing
• Bonfires
• Intertidal explorations.

Fishing Facts:

Sitka Chinook Salmon Fishing

2024 Fishing Season:  April through September are the most productive months.
Boats:  A 23-ft. aluminum Almar accompanies the Equinox and allows access to additional fishing. The Almar is outfitted for fishing, crabbing, shrimping, and sightseeing.
Equipment:  The use of all salt and freshwater spin/fly fishing gear, including rods, tackle, and waders. You are also welcome to bring your own gear.
Fishing License: An Alaska fishing license and a king salmon stamp are included in the package.
Fish Care:  Fish processing, packaging, and airline-approved fish boxes are provided. The processed fish storage capacity is 200 pounds. Brooks and Cameo do not have additional crew members, so they act as captains, deckhands, and chefs.

River Fishing

Gal with Alaska Rainbow

Unlike river systems in the interior of Alaska, those in Southeast Alaska have carved their way through granite mountains. The systems are generally shorter and narrower, but each bend offers a new perspective.
Steelhead - These large, powerful fish can be found in several Baranof Island rivers in April and May, making for an excellent early-season trip.
Trout:  Local trout populations start to wake up in May and become really active around mid-June. You can catch rainbow trout, dolly varden, and cutthroat trout.
Salmon:  Several rivers on Baranof Island are the spawning grounds for targeted salmon species.
Silver Salmon:  also known as cohos, are seen in the rivers beginning in late August and running through October.
Pink Salmon: Pinks are incredibly abundant in most local rivers from July through August.

A Typical Equinox Day:
You’ll wake up to coffee or tea in a sheltered bay or inlet. Early risers may enjoy a paddle in the kayak, a walk on the beach, or even a quick fishing excursion on the Almar before breakfast.
After breakfast, the day’s activities get underway in earnest. (Snacks and lunch are prepared ahead for you to take with you.)
By mid-afternoon, you're back on the Equinox. In the evening, you'll often take a dinner cruise to the next night’s anchorage. Each day is structured around your group's activities and preferences.

About The MV Equinox Liveaboard

The MV Equinox Liveaboard

The Equinox is a 65-ft. custom-built steel trawler that accommodates up to six guests in four staterooms. Below her main deck, the vessel is fitted with four cabins. Forward lies the master suite fitted with a queen-size bed and ensuite bathroom. Aft of this through the center corridor is a stateroom with twin bunks to port and across on the starboard side a full head with shower, sink, and toilet. Moving aft, port, and starboard are two guest cabins with full beds. All cabins have individual climate control, skylights, and ample storage.

Aboard the Equinox

Dining Area on Liveaboard

Meals:  The full galley gives their chef space to make amazing meals and snacks. Equinox can accommodate any kind of dietary/food preferences. Breakfasts are generally hearty, with an egg dish along with fresh breads and fruit. Lunches may be a grab-and-go, such as wraps or sandwiches. If you are staying on the liveaboard, soups or pastas are lunch staples. Dinners feature fresh-caught seafood accompanied by various side dishes.
Alcohol:  Alcohol is not included in the package. After you arrive in Sitka, on the way to the liveaboard, they will stop at a liquor store for you to purchase what you want for the trip.
Communications:  No Wi-Fi is on the Liveaboard. An intermittent cellular signal is available depending on the Liveaboard’s location. A satellite phone and VHF radio are available for emergency communication.

Four Staterooms

Cabin with Twin Bed and Towels

Four Staterooms:  The boat has four staterooms and hosts up to six guests. There is a master suite with a private bathroom. There is a total of three bathrooms onboard.

Queen Size Bed in Master Suite

Queen Bed on the Boat

Salt and Freshwater Fishing, Whale Watching and Glaciers
6 to 8-Day Cruise Options
Your group will fish on Sitka's outer coast for salmon, halibut, and rockfish. From there, you'll cruise towards Baranof Warm Springs, a snowy valley with spectacular views in every direction where you can enjoy natural hot springs mere feet from an icy waterfall. You'll fish a few rivers along the way, targeting trout or salmon depending on the season. A leisurely day or two brings you to mainland Alaska and the opportunity to see tidewater glaciers. Otters, porpoises, eagles, whales, and seabirds will be on display throughout the cruise, and there will be ample opportunity for crabbing, shrimping, kayaking, and hiking.

Whale Watching Excursions

Whale Above the Water

Hiking Opportunities Abound

Hiker Overlooking Baranof Island

Customize Your Package

Whales Jumping Above the Water with Mountains

Abundance of Wildlife

Bear in the Water with Gulls

Ling Cod Fishing Too

Gal with Large Ling Cod in the Boat


2025 Rates:

Rates do not include a 6% Sitka Sales Tax.
Groups are not mixed. So you will need to get your own group together.

5-nights and 5-days Guided Charters:
• Four guests $20,000.00 per group
For 4 guests, it works out to
$5,000.00 per person

• Five guests $23,000.00 per group
For 5 guests, it works out to
$4,600.00 per person

• Six guests $26,000.00 per group
For 6 guests, it works out to
$4,333.33 per person


The Package Includes:

• Ground transfers between Sitka Airport and the liveaboard
• 5-nights Liveaboard lodging
• Meals on the liveaboard
• Laundry service
• Guided fishing
• Fishing license and king salmon stamp
• The use of all fishing equipment and tackle
• Use of waders and wading boots
• Fish processing, packing, and airline-approved fish boxes
• Use of kayaks, paddleboards, crab pots, shrimp pots...

The Package Does Not Include:

• Airfare and airline fees
• Alcohol
• Dinner on the first and last evenings
• Gratuities for Cameo and Brooks
• 6% Sitka sales tax on the total package
• Global Rescue
• Travel insurance
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions.
• Fishing with Larry adds a 2.5% convenience fee to all credit card transactions (as of 12/2020).


Getting to the Liveaboard:

Sitka is a 2.5-hour flight from Seattle. A Liveaboard representative will greet you at the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport and drive you to the liveaboard, a five-minute drive. (You'll stop at a liquor store along the way to purchase desired beverages.) No floatplanes are required. Sitka is a historic town of 8,000 year-round residents, with a charming downtown area.


Private Fishing Expedition Charter
Sunday:  You'll arrive in Sitka, Alaska. Depending on your time of arrival, you'll either stay the night on the boat or head out to the first anchorage point.
Monday:  You’ll spend the morning cruising the Inside Passage to an anchorage in the Tongass National Forest. In the afternoon, you’ll chase silvers in the river with flies or spinners and enjoy the evening anchored in a sheltered bay.
Tuesday - Thursday:  Days are spent the same way, either on the ocean or in the rivers and venturing to a new anchorage each night. There will be opportunities for hiking, kayaking, and setting crab or shrimp pots. Based on the group's itinerary, you'll explore new areas each day.
Friday:  After the morning activities, you'll return to Sitka, arriving at 2:00 p.m.
The Equinox also offers point-to-point charters originating in one Southeast town and ending in another, for example, to and from Sitka, Juneau, Haines, Pelican, Petersburg, and Wrangell. Request an information packet for more details.

Equinox Charter Policies:
Deposit, Payment, and Cancellation Policy:
A deposit of 50% is required to reserve dates for a charter, with the balance due before departure. These deposits are non-refundable but may be carried to a future date. If, for any unforeseen reason, the Equinox is unable to sail, all deposits will be refunded. An electronic invoice with payment instructions will be sent in a separate email.

Fishing with Larry recommends purchasing Trip Insurance and Global Rescue.
Click here for our Travel Insurance page.

Whale Above the Water
Request an Equinox Liveaboard
Information Packet  

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