Fishing Tackle

Recommend Tackle for Valdez Sport Fishing

Pink Salmon

Light to medium rods with spinning or casting reels. Line should be about 150 yards of 8 to 10 pound test. Pixie lures 1/4 to 1/2 ounce are the most effective. Any bright color will do.

Silver Salmon

If fishing for silvers from shore, use medium rods with spinning or casting reels. Line should be about 150 to 200 yards of 10 to 15 pound test. 1/2 ounce pixie lures are most effective. use a swivel. Allison Point (between the hatchery and the terminal on Dayville Road) makes a good casting area later in the silver salmon season. 

If fishing from a boat, troll with 20 to 25 pound test line with medium length, limber rods and a downrigger or pink lady. Herring cut or whole, work well as bait when trolling. Orange or red hootchies make a good alternative to bait. On a charter your guide should be aware of the hottest fishing spots. If you are going to rent a boat, try the southern end of Bligh Island early in the season and closer to Potato Point and Sawmill Bay as the season progresses. 

King Salmon

There are kings in the waters around Valdez. Immature king salmon (feeder kings) inhabit Prince William Sound year round based on the presence of herring in the waters to provide food. These fish can range in size from 3 to 35 pounds. Best results come from trolling or mooching from a rental or charter boat. When trolling a downrigger or dive planer can be used with a flasher and herring attached. A medium/heavy rod of 7 1/2 to 8 feet is suggest with 25-pound test on your reel.

Halibut

Use 6 to 6 1/2 foot, heavy duty, ocean rods with 4/0 reels and at least 200 yards of 60-pound test line. Herring, octopus and salmon heads make good halibut bait. Anchor over productive areas, and remember these fish are bottom feeders so your sinker has to hold your line on the sea floor. Halibut weigh from 5 to 300 pounds and those big ones can be dangerous if boated alive.