FISHING TECHNIQUES
Outer Limit Charters is a great choice for both novice and experienced anglers. With the option to either mooch or troll for salmon, we can accommodate our fishing strategy depending on weather conditions and fishing ability.
MOOCHING
Mooching is a fishing technique where each angler uses their own rod to vertically work bait through the water to attract salmon, without a big hook-set required.
TROLLING
Trolling involves fishing the water column horizontally, covering ground at a depth we set with our two downriggers. Anglers will switch turns watching the rod for an exciting salmon bite!
BOTTOM FISHING
We set anchor on the outer coast at depths of 200 to 700 ft deep. We use heavy-tackle, larger hooks and stinky-bait to target halibut and lingcod on the ocean-floor.
Outer Limit Charters is a great choice for both novice and experienced anglers. With the option to either mooch or troll for salmon, we can accommodate our fishing strategy depending on weather conditions and fishing ability. Your captain has extensive experience in the local fishing grounds and uses top of the line Time Zero 3D ocean mapping and Furuno depth finders to locate schools of bait fish.
Generally, guests opt for the exciting “mooching” method, which allows each angler to hook their own salmon. Mooching can take a bit of feel to get the hang of, but it's definitely worth it once you learn to recognize the subtle and thrilling salmon bite. For this technique, each angler will hold their own rod, giving fishermen the opportunity to catch their own fish while others do the same! Once we find an area with favorable fishing conditions, we anchor or set a drift that lets you work your bait vertically through the water column to attract feeding salmon. Your captain will recommend a depth to fish at, and you'll use your Shimano depth-counting reel to drop your line fishing through that depth. ​When you feel a bite, start reeling to catch up to the fish that is shooting to the surface. Our crew will help you navigate reeling your fish to the boat while the other anglers continue fishing for a chance to catch multiple fish at once.
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On weather days or with younger anglers onboard, we sometimes opt to troll for salmon. Trolling involves fishing the water column horizontally, covering ground at a depth we set with our two downriggers. With two rods out, anglers will switch turns watching the rod for an exciting salmon bite! This style of fishing is often more accessible to children and teenagers who may struggle to work their own rod all day with the mooching technique.
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Throughout the day, your captain will determine an appropriate time to switch species and fish for halibut and/or rockfish, considering the amount of fish that has been already been caught, the ocean conditions, and your input. Scent and location matter most for halibut. To fish for halibut, we'll drive to the outer coast and anchor. Once the bait hits the bottom, the smell begins to attract halibut and it becomes a waiting game. Generally, once one halibut starts to come into the scent, more will follow. Once we've caught halibut, we'll determine the next plan based on time of day.
We like to say that once you've fished in Sitka, you've been spoiled for life, because there are no other fishing grounds that can match Sitka's abundance and beauty. So whether you're a seasoned angler or a first-timer, join us at our charter fishing lodge in Sitka for an unforgettable fishing adventure!