Getting Started ??
bigjoe
2008-11-04 00:26:55
I've been from one end to the other looking at allot of boats,OK the big one. Is it all worth it???? i never have trolled on the scale these boat do but i have fished commercially here in Westport,WA i'm varey good at finding fish but it seems to be allot more involved in the fishery in AK all the rules . This Forum has really inlightin me, Im still going to get a boat and go fishing but I do need to now more the how and why.I know come fish a season and find out HA HA but you know what I mean like iceing the fish ,bait/spoon, outriggers how far down that kind of stuff Bigjoe ;)
Salty
2008-11-04 04:47:25
Critical to successful salmon trolling in SE Alaska is a good understanding of how to read and write the English language. The rules are complex, the standards for quality are exceptionally high, and the safety requirements are exacting. The weather is almost always wet (it is the Tongass Rain Forest) windy, and cold. The fish are exceptionally temperamental both in their migrations and biting. The fleet is extremely territorial and unwelcoming to newcomers.
If this lights your fire then trolling in SE Alaska might be for you. If it discourages you then go to accounting school or something.
There is another side of the coin though. We don't have bars to worry about, the night life in the biggest troll port in SE, Sitka, is exemplary, and the buyers are numerous and compete for your deliveries. And there are still areas where you can get away from the crowd and do your own thing.
[attachment=0]Boats_004.jpg[/attachment]
bigjoe
2008-11-04 14:55:41
Salty thank you, if u are picking on my spelling and writting sorry but you did undstand what I ment. I dont spell well but I do try better at fishing!if u are so titeknit? then why offer boats for sale or this fourm i'v read just about every thing u have posted also y2u and Jon Yes I do whant to be a part of SE AK fishing! Bigjoe
Salty
2008-11-04 17:03:45
Sounds good if you are still interested. I believe persistence is crucial to successful fishing over the long term.
I have not shopped for a boat since 1981 but I enjoy reading about boats for sale. I just looked at boats in Newport, Oregon last month. Seems like quite a few with for sale signs on them. I am reading a book on the use of the English language and writing comments on proposals to the Alaska Board of Fish this week. Words and their arrangement are important to me. Plus I have just spent a month following the election campaign which has been quite painful to me because of the representation of our Alaska dialect by Governor Palin. Finally, I am old. Many of us old farts are not adapting to the evolving internet and phone text language as gracefully as we should.
Don't mean to pic on u.
bigjoe
2008-11-04 18:00:19
Salty,you and this forum are vary helpfull thank you Joe
If you want to be challenged, on your own, with no schedule except for the one set by the fish you're trying to catch, it's a good occupation. You get to enjoy (and sometimes be frightened by nature). Mostly, you end up wet and cold.
You have to be willing to learn about boats, engines, mechanics, hydraulics, electronics, computers, weather, waves, the fish, gear, and perhaps a good 5 or 6 more professions all of which are required to be self sufficient on the water.
You don't have a boss, ever. You don't have to wear a uniform, be on time, salute the flag, shower, or brush your teeth. This is proven each year by much of the fleet.
If you compute your earnings in hourly pay, you'll find that sometimes you're making $2/hour for a week... or some days even going negative, and that's not counting boat and permit payments.
As far as icing, spoons, technique, etc... The basics are not secret. You can find people who will answer questions and give tips.
If you guys wouldn't mind...could you discuss some of the ports you fish out of and what benefits and negatives there are to those various ports?
thanks,
Josh
Salty
2008-11-11 02:03:23
That sounds like a good idea for a thread. The finest troll ports. What do you think?
I have fished out of Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Kake, Security Bay, Tyee, Gedney Harbor, Port Alexander, Angoon( for a few nights) Juneau, T Harbor, Hoonah, Excursion Inlet, Gustavus, Elfin Cove, Pelican, Sitka, Goddard, Whale Bay, Sandy Bay, Gilmer Bay, Kalinin Bay, Yakobi Island, and Dixon Harbor over the years if you count buying stations as ports. I am sure there are more that I can't remember. I never have trolled out of Craig but I have crewed seining in that area and in Puget Sound. I also crewed out of Seward and Cordova in 1976.
In my opinion it is kind of like East Hope Gurdies, there are all the rest and then there are Easthopes. Kind of like that with Sitka so far as trolling. But, then I have never commercial fished out of Yakutat, just sport fished several times.
bigjoe
2008-11-11 02:16:33
OK another one, inc. or LLc which is best for fishing?? I just found out we got the boat we were looking at 43 ft BC boat
Salty
2008-11-11 02:18:05
These are some views of Sitka. I have lots.
[attachment=2]January Hunt 2006_001.jpg[/attachment][attachment=1]Karl's Verstovia_001.jpg[/attachment][attachment=0]Karl's Verstovia_002.jpg[/attachment]
Salty
2008-11-11 02:22:16
Ketchikan is by far the best for trolling, closely followed by Craig. Sitka is the worst. Already too crowded. It is just the best place to be.
Elfin Cove is great too, but also way too crowded.[attachment=0]Cross Sound 2003_001.jpg[/attachment]
bigjoe
2008-12-12 16:58:07
I have a boat now its the ALEUTIAN under 8,000,It has refrigeration and 17,000 lb hold!I was wondering if any one has herd of packing fish for other boats into port? Talking to some older fishermen they said that it was something they did. :?:
Congratulations on your new boat :)
Salty
2008-12-12 23:23:55
There are tendering requirements and licenses if you are going to get paid for packing. In recent years with the short seasons and the quality consciousness of most of the fleet people are going into sell.
bigjoe
2008-12-12 23:55:35
Thank you,OK of we go into the wild world of fishing.
Bill M
2008-12-17 19:50:34
Salty
2008-12-18 03:41:45
Ketchikan is the place for trollers. Nice protected waters, good facilities, not too much competition, and some great bars.
bigjoe
2008-12-18 21:40:52
Do you have a hook size restertion in the fishery?
Outlaw
2009-01-23 17:17:19
hey big joe, so your the one who bought that boat. i must of been right behind ya. i was going to buy it. wow, ya beat me to it. oh well, thats ok. am now looking at another. it's a 45' troller, the Mobro built in 1950 by R Firkins (Sydney). a lot more money then yours, so will see. i don't fish, will turn it into a cruiser. i know, i just stood the hair up on everybody's back, but the last owner had already started the conversion, it now just needs to be finished. it still looks like a troller without the fishing gear. good luck
Outlaw
bigjoe
2009-05-05 21:11:11
Hi, we are pulling the Aleutian out on WED,I need to know how to pull some faseners can any one give me some idea what to do???FYI this has ben a learning experience,!! BIGJOE
tacorajim
2009-05-06 06:33:35
Whether they are screws or boat nails you have to get the junk out of the countersink. Sanding will expose where the plug is. Tap a small screwdriver around the clock until it has to come out. Then take two regular screwdrivers (wear soft gloves for leverage) and stab the boat nail on both sides, then widen the handles again and again so it has no choice but to come slightly towards you. You pry it out little by little. It's seldom easy but it works. If they're screws, all you have to do is get the plug junk out and unscrew them with a phillips or flat head drill. Maybe you have to pick the slot(s) clean with an ice pick to get a good bite.
A screw takes about a minute, whereas a rusty old boat nail my take as much as five (more like 2-3). We pulled about 1200 nails as we put in the new frames. But if you are just checking their condition, and it's not that bad, you may luck out after checking 20 or so.
We didn't use vise grips. Maybe there are easier ways but I don't know. Send me a PM if you have any questions.