Alaska - The Desperado
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. With rugged peaks, pristine waters, and a temperate rainforest, the Tongass National Forest, spanning 17 million acres, is the nation's largest national forest. Enjoy cruising the Inside Passage and take part in fishing, sightseeing, and whale-watching excursions. Each trip is unique and customized to suit your group's interests. Sitka is just a 2.5-hour flight from Seattle. Book now for 2025.
Alaska Liveaboard Hosts
The Captains: Meet your hosts, Brooks and Cameo, the co-owners of the Alaska Liveaboard. Brooks, with his 100-ton master's license and eighteen years of guiding experience in Sitka's fresh and saltwater, and Cameo, with her six-pack Captain license and 20 years of boating experience, ensure an enjoyable trip for all guests.
Group Size: Maximum of six guests per cruise. The Equinox does not mix groups, so you will need to get a group together.
2025 Fishing Season: 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.
Custom Itineraries to match your interests, from salt and freshwater fishing, crabbing, kayaking, photography, hot springs, hiking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, and more.
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:
The 2025 Fishing Season runs from April through September.
Boats: A 23-ft. aluminum Almar accompanies the Equinox and allows access to additional fishing. The Almar is equipped for fishing, crabbing, shrimping, and sightseeing.
Equipment: The packages include 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
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.
King Salmon fishing is best from late May through June.
Silver Salmon, also known as cohos, the best fishing for silvers is from late July to early September.
Pink Salmon: Pinks are 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. (You'll take a packed lunch and snacks 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 Equinox is a 65-foot 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 the starboard side, a full head with a shower, sink, and toilet. Moving aft, port, and starboard are two guest cabins with full-size beds. All cabins have individual climate control, skylights, and ample storage.
Aboard the Equinox
Meals: The full galley gives their chef space to make amazing meals and snacks. The Equinox can accommodate any dietary/food preferences. Breakfasts are generally hearty, with an egg dish, fresh bread, and fruit. Lunches may be a grab-and-go, such as wraps or sandwiches. If you stay on the liveaboard, soups or pasta 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, they will stop at a liquor store to purchase desired beverages on the way to the liveaboard.
Communications: The Liveaboard does not have Wi-Fi. Depending on its location, an intermittent cellular signal is available. A satellite phone and VHF radio are available for emergency communication.
Four Staterooms
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
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. Depending on the season, you'll fish a few rivers along the way, targeting trout or salmon. 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
Hiking Opportunities Abound
Eric and Kurt Rathjen - 20 and 28lb King Salmon (2024)
Abundance of Wildlife
Ling Cod Fishing Too
Customize Your own Alaska Liveaboard Package.
2025 and 2026 Rates:
Rates do not include a $720 Sitka Sales Tax on the total package.
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
• Sitka sales tax $720 per group
• Global Rescue
• Travel insurance
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions.
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, which is a five-minute drive. (You'll stop at a liquor store so you can 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 arrival time, you'll 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, venturing to a new anchorage each night. There will be opportunities for hiking, kayaking, and setting crab or shrimp pots. You'll explore new areas each day based on the group's itinerary.
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.
Fishing with Larry Payment Options:
1.) Credit card (a 2.5% convenience fee applies)
2.) Check. Please include your invoice number in the memo. Mail checks to Fishing with Larry P.O. Box 419 Columbus, MT 59019.
3.) Wire Transfer (Send money electronically – typically a $15 to $30 fee for domestic transfers and $45 - $50 for international transfers.)
Please email Toni at toni@fishingwithlarry.com for wire instructions.
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.
