When it comes to planning a float fishing trip, Alaska is like the Mecca of fishing spots. The views are incredible, the waters are pristine and the fish are abundant.

You’ll find rivers full of fish, beautiful landscapes, great people and an incredible experience. However, before you start booking, read on for a few tips that will ensure your Alaskan fishing trip is one to remember.

Try a Vacation Planner Service

Instead of depending on one specific lodge, charter company or your own self-guided tour, try booking a trip using a planning service. These companies will lock in and plan your fishing trip based on when you’ll be there, what fish you want to catch, your style of fishing and, of course, your budget. They can also be an invaluable resource for finding the best guides and fishing spots.

One company recommended by the Frommer’s Guide to Alaska are Sport Fishing Alaska (907-344-8674). They can coordinate all your need, including your lodging and local travel options.

Do Your Research

Because most of the fish in Alaska are migratory, it’s so important to know when they’re in season, as well as where they’ll be at a specific time. Otherwise, you could find yourself staying at an empty lodge next to a river with no fish.

Your primary source of facts should either be your local guide or the state’s Department of Fish and Game Sport Fish Division. The division is online at sf.adfg.state.ak.us and has one of the most comprehensive websites in the country. Check it weekly for updates on great fishing spots, run data, tips and educational articles.

The site also offers heavily localized information that’s specific to each region and area. You can find publications and data on run times, seasons and also the best lures and flies for fish in the region. For tour operator or charter recommendations, try also calling the department’s local offices.

Book in Advance

For a peak-season float fishing trip, Alaska residents and travel veterans recommend reserving your place early. The best lodges at the peak fishing times tend to book up quickly, meaning you need to be prepared and ready to reserve your place. You’ll also find that port cities and airport hubs can become overcrowded with tourists, so commit to your hotel and rental car well ahead of time.

Packing List for Alaska Fishing

Alaska is all about wild temperatures – from the hot noon sun to the cold nights or pouring rain. Plan ahead by packing clothes that can be layered, will dry quickly and will wick away sweat.

Also, invest your money in a high-quality, waterproof and wind-resistant rainwear suit that’s designed for fishing expeditions. To ensure a comfortable and safe float fishing trip, Alaska residents know you have to pack the right clothes and be prepared.

A fishing trip in Alaska is an opportunity for an exciting adventure on the water. Your advance preparation will not only take your mind off trivial details while there, but also enhance your overall experience.

September 16th, 2006. What an absolutely unbelievable day of fishing this was. Zig had showed up late so we left the dock at 6:00am in the morning, a little light was beginning to show out and the wind was howling out of the NNE. Waves were about 1-3 feet and following. Fortunately it was behind us and we had no issues getting out there but it would be a problem later. The GPS gave me some trouble a couple of times on the way out and I had to power it off and play with it till it worked somewhat reliably. Zig and his son had been looking forward to this trip. I had taken out a friend of his (Tom Duffy) and Tom had told him about the early morning bass trip with plugs. He couldn’t wait to get out there and try it.Well, after making the 8 mile run we stopped and drifted across the sandbar at the northern tip of Block Island. I pulled out the first rod, cast out the plug and caught a bass while I was demonstrating to them the proper way of working the plug.

I handed the rod off to Zig and got another on down for his son and he started on his way. While I’m helping Zig bring his fish in the boat (a very large Bluefish) a big bass comes up and slams the plug his son is working. Line flies off the reel. He does a good job working this fish to the boat and meanwhile I catch a small bass (about 30″ long) and bring it in. Zig is working his plug again but we have drifted out of the zone and we need to go back around. So I start the motor and putz over there, as the waves over the top of the bar are probably 6-8′ high and you have to be careful crossing them in a 22′ boat. We setup for another drift and find the sweet spot where they are holding and immediately we have 3 fish on, all bass and they have shoulders. I’m listening to the line running off the reel on Zig’s outfit and I know that’s a big one.He is using a Shakespeare spinning rod and reel with power pro and it isn’t easy to bring in a big fish on this tackle.

The fish keeps taking more line than Zig can bring in. Meanwhile his son has been fighting what is probably another member of the same school and has the fish pretty close to the boat, then loses it. (we later learned that the fish had pulled the trailing treble hook off the plug!!) At this point Zig has his fish up close so I hand my rod to his son while I get Zig’s fish into the boat. I grab the net and try to net this fish and there just isn’t any way he’s fitting into it, and the net has naturally tangled on one of the treble hooks on the plug. I look at this fish and drop the net, scrambling to find the gaff before this monster realizes that it can break away with a shake of its head. The 4-6′ waves that we are riding aren’t making the job any easier, but it is completely forgotten in the excitement of how good this fishing is. I find the gaf and bring the fish into the boat, laying it on the deck. We all sit for a moment looking at it saying ‘oh my god that is a BIG fish’.

This Striped Bass weights 41.5 lbs and measures 50″ long. Zig brought the fish in on a 17lb class rod, a real accomplishment for a fish of this size. His son brings in a 38″ long 30lb fish and we boat that one too.

By this time we have naturally moved way out of the zone and need to motor back to the beginning of our drift. Again we cross over the waves, this time the motor keeps coming out of the water and we get a little wet from spray over the bow, but the guys say we’re staying, so we pass on through and start another drift. Again the activity is unbelievable, with fish coming to the surface and slamming plugs, fighting, and being brought to the boat. At one point we have 6 bass in the cooler, had to release one and threw back 3 bluefish. Another half dozen fish were hooked, fought for short periods of time and broke off. Then we went back for another drift and just as quickly as it turned on the bite turned off, and we got nothing on the next couple of drifts, not even a look. We kept at for a while, not wanting to give up, and not daring to go any farther because of the conditions.

Considering the weather and the amount of fish in the coolor, the guys were very happy (and a little beat up) and they wanted to go, so we headed back to the dock (well, ok, I was little beat up too). We had arrived on the spot at 6:55am, and fished until 8:00am, although the bite was over by around 7:28am. In that short time we had boated 3 Bluefish and 7 bass (all keeper size) and had had a chance at half dozen others. It was great. Then we had to face the long slow trip back to the dock. Block Island’s North rip can be very bad in a NE wind (it had shifted) and we were heading back directly into it. It took an hour and a half to get in, compared to 45 minutes on the way out. It was also a little wet. Upon returning to the dock, all Zig’s son could say was “that was unbelievable.” He kept saying it over and over and over again while I cleaned the fish. Of course, I agreed with him, it seemed unbelievable to catch the way we did under those conditions and in only about 35 minutes of successful fishing.

He called home and told them about it, of course they didn’t believe it. Not until they brought the fish and the pictures back home with them as proof (they kept the two biggest whole). Zig told me later he had the fish mounted and it now graces the wall in his home. It was the biggest Bass the taxidermist had seen that season. Pretty cool stuff. The key to this fishing is using topwater plugs, big waves, and getting on< the spot very early in the morning.

Here is a Caribbean fishing report to help you to find the best places to go fishing on your next Caribbean vacation. Very simply, they Caribbean is one of the most popular places to go fishing in the world. It offers some of the most incredible deep sea fishing experiences you can ever imagine.

Obviously, the reason for this is that the Caribbean is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, and therefore there has many fish available. Since it offers year-round great weather and many great vacation spots, Caribbean fishing has really caught on around the world. This Caribbean fishing report will give you some great places to help you find the best locations to go fishing.

First of all, the Bahamas are certainly one of the most popular resorts in the Caribbean to go fishing. In the Caribbean Sea, you can catch a lot of different fish, including Marlon, selfish, King Fish, red snapper, etc. There is literally an endless amount of fish you can go after on your Bahams Fishing Vacation, and which one you decide to go after is really just up to you and your personal preferences.

Also, when staying in the Caribbean, there are many great lodges to choose from, and there is no shortages of places a you can stay. The best way to find out which place to stay is to simply going Internet and find out which places are within your budget. There are many reviews and websites today that will show you the best places to go fishing in the Caribbean, and finding these really is not hard.

If you do plan on going fishing in the Bahamas, your trip would certainly not be complete without targeting the island’s most famous fish: the bonefish. This is one of the most exciting fish to go after, it is certainly could be could be considered a national sport.

Even though the fish doesn’t generally get very big, it is still one of the most popular fish to go after. Usually, the heaviest ones weigh in at about just over 10 pounds, and generally they are only between three and 5 pounds.

However, the thing that makes it so exciting to go after is that they are a fighter finished; they are very hard to bring in, and it will take all your strength and effort in order to do so. Therefore, whether you are beginning fishermen are more Vance, your skills was surely be put to the test with this Caribbean fish.

Also, keep in mind the Blowfish generally prefer shallower waters. They usually migrate from the deeper waters to go toward the Caribbean islands in order to feed. Generally speaking, the best way to catch it is to simply go out on a smaller boat between the keys and catch them with a fly day.

When the water is as clear and shallow as it is around the Caribbean, this certainly makes fishing for these catfish challenging and very fun. Hopefully this Caribbean fishing report will help you find the best places to go fishing in the Caribbean, and help you decide which fish to target for your next Caribbean vacation.

If you’re planning a fishing trip, Alaska is probably the best place in the world. The Halibut are massive, the salmon gigantic and the trout quite plentiful. For trophy-sized catches, there’s no place like it anywhere in the world. So, read on for some great tips and tricks that will help make your Alaskan fishing trip a success.

Make Your Reservations Early

Alaska is host to over a million tourists every summer. That means the hotels in Anchorage will fill up, the rental car companies will book quickly and the best fishing lodges will be full far in advance. To avoid disappointment and ensure you have the best trip possible, plan ahead and book early.

If you are unable to commit to specific dates well in advance (because of a job or other limitations), you should at least loosely monitor the availability of prefered reservations you will eventually make. If they begin to fill, you might then take the financial plunge and hope for the best with your schedule.

Hire a Local Guide

Most guide books, fishing books and even the state Department of Fish and Game say that if you want to have a successful fishing trip in Alaska, you should hire a local guide. Your guide will be able to take you to the hottest fishing spots, show you secret locations and inform you of the best lures, floats and flies.

For a list of recommended guides or companies, you can contact the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, a travel company like Sport Fishing Alaska (1-888-552-8674) who organize expeditions based on budget, or trust your lodge to provide you with an experienced, on-site guide.

Follow the Fish

Fish may be abundant in Alaska, but they’re also migratory. You need to know the best fishing season and the right locations. So, while a lodge or specific spot may boast some of the best fishing in the world, that may only hold true for a few weeks out of the year. Instead of being disappointed by a slow fishing trip, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game will be able to tell if your proposed location and dates will coincide with a fish migration.

There’s also the secret fishing season in Alaska – the fall. Trout are still running, no one’s around and fly fishers will experience some of the best fishing of their lives. Many river lodges and resorts specialize in an autumn season and even offer heavily discounted rates, saving you money.

Pack Accordingly

When it comes to packing for a fishing trip, Alaska residents will remind you that you need to be prepared for anything – blistering sun, pouring rain or cold nights. With the excitement of a fishing adventure, it is tempting to downplay the need for attention to personal care. But skipping this important step in your preparation can actually ruin an otherwise great trip.

To block the sun, stay warm and fight dampness, you should pack clothes that can be easily layered and will dry quickly if needed. Remember to also pack sunglasses, fishing equipment, sunblock, bug spray, a camera and a small survival kit.

When money is no object, you have so many options when planning a fly fishing trip.  Maybe you’ve saved up your money and now are ready to experience the ultimate fly fishing trip.  You don’t even have to leave the country to get the best fly fishing trip money can buy.  But if you want an amazing experience, you will want to consider an international fly fishing trip.

There is a great book on the market right now titled The Best Fly Fishing Trips Money Can Buy.  It was written by a world renowned fly fisherman named Pat Ford who has achieved sixteen fly rod world records.  He has been fly fishing for years and was eager to share his expertise about world-class fly fishing destinations.

Mr. Ford enlisted the help of other fly fisherman to tell YOU about the best fly fishing trips that money can buy.  They have reviewed and recommended fly fishing in destinations all over the world.  Some of these places include:  Katmai, Alaska; Bermuda; Costa Rica, and Guatemala among others.

You can find this book online at amazon dot com for $26.37 or at other outlets like Wal Mart, Barnes & Noble, and overstock dot com at various other prices.  Some of the most exotic fly fishing destinations are covered in this amazing book, and it is recommended by fly fishermen all over the world.

When you are able to travel to beautiful locations and not worry about money, you can get a fly fishing trip that you will never forget.  Consider the waters of the Amazon, the beautiful landscape of Bolivia, or the clear waters of the Galapagos Islands.  The choices abound, and when you have the guidance of someone like Pat Ford to help you toward the best destinations, you’re sure to be a winner on your trip.

This book, The Best Fly Fishing Trips Money Can Buy, covers both saltwater and freshwater species of fish.  You can learn the nuances of catching these fish and where you can find them in plenty.  Some of the fish you can learn how to catch include:  bonefish, tarpon, sailfish, salmon, and tiger fish among others.  This book gives you tips on how to find world-class catches in some of the most beautiful places in the world.

Make your next fly fishing trip one you will never forget.  Invest just a little money in the book The Best Fly Fishing Trips Money Can Buy and let the experts guide you towards places that perhaps you’ve only dreamed of.