Worst fishing experience ever!
DO NOT waste your time or money on this charter, especially if on a cruise ship!
To note, I have been fishing in many areas over the World and have taken close to 50 charters at this point in my life. In fact, a few days prior we were salmon fishing in Juneau, AK and while the fishing was slow, the experience for me and my family was incredible!
Also, I have my own fishing boat and fish often off the Outer Banks. This is to say, I know a “little” about fishing and a lot about SERVICE and what should be expected on a charter.
This post has minimal to do about what we caught (2 small sharks and a medium sized rockfish) but more about the entire experience. Please read below what took place on 08 AUG 2025:
1. We booked online approximately 6 months ago a halibut charter through FISHING BOOKER to take my 2 sons and wife halibut fishing in Ketchikan, AK.
2. While at sea on our cruise ship, our originally scheduled Captain texted and stated he could not make the trip and gave 2 names of possible replacements. He did not state why he made the change but stated, “they are the best of the best”.
3. A Captain S. was one of the names listed (leaving out personally identifiable information).
4. I figured all of the prior arrangements would remain the same especially the fact that the boat would meet us at our dock. This is super important as time is limited in Ketchikan, AK on a cruise ship.
a. This promise of meeting us at the cruise ship did not occur!
b. Instead, our new Captain told us to get off ship, walk to a brick building, get on bus to city center and he would meet us there (lines were awful as 4,000 plus passengers were all trying to get off the boat at the same time)..
c. This was NOT what was promised and a 1-way trip took almost 40 minutes in total so 1 hr 20 minutes of a scheduled 5 hr trip was now LOST!
d. Not once did our “new” charter Captain offer to meet us near our cruise ship or by vehicle to ensure we would have the most time fishing! (This is often common in other areas ((Juneau)) to meet us directly and personally take us to the boat if boat is not docked nearby.
5. Upon meeting our Captain, it was abundantly clear that he was not happy about taking us fishing. He was EXTREMELY rude and almost seemed ANGRY.
6. He walked way ahead of us and didn’t say a word until he stopped at the public restrooms and said, “if anyone needs to go, now is your chance as you won’t have another opportunity”. This is almost comical as his TripAdvisor site states, ““Most important to most guests ... A PRIVATE stand up/sit down bathroom!”
7. Since our trip was already delayed and I wasn’t sure how the return trip would ensue, I politely inquired about how much time we would have actually fishing? I wasn’t sure if he would pull his boat to our cruise ship on the return which would have ensured more time fishing or if he would have us back to the dock where his boat was originally? He stated he would return us back to the dock we are at now (away from our ship).
8. I then informed him that the last bus leaves the town at 1100 hrs and that this would only leave us with 3 hours of fishing instead of the 5 scheduled. His response,
9. “ I’ve been doing this a long time, I know what I’m doing, and I know when to get you back CHAMP “.
10. I again tried to see if we could come back later and I would book a taxi, he stated, “I can’t guarantee you won’t miss your ship”. I again asked about the 5 hours booked and he stated “well you’re not getting that today”.
11. I stated, “I’m sorry we got off to a bad start but we need to figure out the times. “I just want to ensure my boys have a good time.” His response, “Sir, it’s up to you if your going to have a good time or not I’m here to find the fish”
12. Again, this Captain was not just rude but almost seemed to be going out of his way to be unhelpful in just about every way imaginable. All of this in front of my wife and 2 sons.
13. One of my sons later informed me that while he was inside and I was out, he asked what my profession was, my son stated that I was in the Army. His response, “well that explains a lot”. 100% not cool especially to be said to my son! By the way, I’m a retired combat Veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan multiple tours!
14. Once actually bottom fishing, he states, “there, there you go, you’re now fishing.” He handed us the rods and played loud music while fishing. I had to politely ask to turn the music down. This charter boat Captain continued to be rude, non-hospitable and almost irritated that he had to take us out fishing!
15. After 1 solid hour of nothing, he states we needed a new spot… we all reeled up 160 ft of line, and he put up the anchor… we moved literally 100 yards… then put down again!!! Made zero sense! It almost seemed like he was purposely wasting time
16. Lastly, once off the boat, the Captain had the audacity to ask if we missed something? In other words, he was actually expecting a tip. This was almost comical to me and I simply walked away.
17. A $1,750 boat ride with a charter Captain who was horribly rude from the start is not how you treat a family of 4 who decide to spend their vacation port time with you!
Bottom line:
Don’t waste your valuable time or money on this company! A complete waste!
Very disappointed! there were six of us who booked a fishing charter, while on an Alaska Cruise. We all feel like we paid $2900 for a boat ride instead of a fishing charter. Our guide Colby, seemed was nice but kept insisting that we drop our lines to hit bottom them crank 3-4 times up. My husband and brother in law both decided that they would not follow this and they caught 4 Halibut. The rest of us who followed the guides instructions did not catch anything. At the same time the sister boat was always near us, they were also people off our cruise but were supposed to only be a 4 hour charter. Our charter was for a full day. After 2 hours Colby said we were going to start Salmon fishing. We caught 6, we wanted to keep going over the area where the Dalon were hitting. But Colby said that we needed to start back. My husband told him several times that we did not need to be back until 3:00 or 3:15 since the ship was not to leave until 3:30. Colby mentioned that he needed to take his boat in to have it checked for maintenance. We all felt so let down and short changed on this fishing trip. I am so unhappy with Scott, for the last 10 months since I booked this trip he kept saying you are going to be so happy with this full day charter, you are going to catch so much fish. So unhappy would not recommend at all.