Halibut are excellent food fish; these deep-water dwellers contain many essential vitamins and minerals. The low-fat fish contain high levels of protein, selenium and potassium, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B3, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. In addition to their health benefits, they are simply fun to catch. The numerous halibut charters in Ninilchik, Alaska, will help you catch halibut, whether you're new to fishing or an experienced angler.
Economic Importance
Halibut fishing is a major component of Ninilchik's economy. Fewer than 1,000 people live in Ninilchik, yet more than a dozen halibut charters are based here. Several other local businesses process fish.
Cook Inlet's Powerful Tides
Ninilchik lies on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, right on Cook Inlet. Cook Inlet has a large difference between high and low tides. As such, Ninilchik halibut charter boats don't dock, rather, a large tractor launches the boats from their trailers at Deep Creek State Recreation Area each day. Charters do not leave at a set time each day. They are scheduled around tidal charts so anglers may fish during the slack tide period. The power of the tides is so great that even with a four-pound sinker, lines go horizontally, rather than to the bottom, when the tide goes in or out.
Good Fishing Grounds
An advantage of halibut fishing out of Ninilchik is it's close proximity to a day's good catch. Boats drive an hour or less to reach prime halibut fishing. In other places on the Kenai Peninsula, boats may drive two hours or more. This means more time fishing and less time on potentially rough water. Scenery is excellent, with views of two volcanoes: Mount Redoubt and Mount Iliamna.
Fishing Tackle
Halibut anglers use short, stout rods. After the captain anchors the boat, he hands you a rod and baits your hook with herring and salmon. A three- or four-pound sinker quickly takes your bait to the bottom in depths of 100 to more than 250 feet. After reaching bottom, anglers crank the reel about three turns and wait for a bite. It usually takes only a few minutes before a halibut bites. Reeling in a heavy fish in more than 100 feet of water is strenuous. After bringing in a fish, many anglers let their arms rest before cranking in another fish.
What to Expect
As of 2010, the limit for halibut in the Ninilchik area is two fish per angler, per day. Halibut may reach weights of more than 400 pounds, but most fish weigh 15 to 25 pounds. A halibut yields approximately half its weight in boneless fillets. Limit catches are the norm. Your captain will fillet your fish after you return. Some will vacuum seal, freeze and ship your fish for an additional fee.
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