Alaska Crab Fishing Charters

Locations

• Alaska is home to some of the best crab fishing in the world, but most people only know it takes place in the Bering Sea. While true, the Bering Sea is huge and has many spots that produce great crab fishing such as Petersburg Harbor, Dutch Harbor---known for record-setting blue king crab weights, Bristol Bay (where most of "Deadliest Catch" takes place), Orton Sound, and more small spots not usually found on a map. This is where a charter guide excels. Not only do charters provide instruction and equipment, they know where the best spots for recreational anglers are.

Types of Crab

• Dungeness crabs taste great and make excellent sport for recreational fishers. They are not as sought after by commercial fishing boats, which also makes them more available for sport fishing. King crab come in a variety of colors from golden to blue, but the red king crab is the one most commonly seen on restaurant menus. Bairdi and opilio crab come from the crab family known as "tanner" crab. Restaurants and stores often label opilio as snow crab. If you have a preference, your charter will know where to get it. If you are on a commercial experience charter you'll likely be fishing for the common commercial varieties: king or opilio.

Licensing

• You must have proper fishing licenses from Alaska Department of Fish and Game. If you do not have a license and just need temporary permission for your trip, most charter companies are able to sell you a one-, two-, or three-day license. You can also get a license prior to your trip online at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Style of Charter

• Alaskan crab fishing charters come in two main varieties, those that offer a glimpse into the commercial crabbing industry and those that specialize in individual crabbing. Commercial crabbing is popular because of the "Deadliest Catch" show and this type of charter gives participants hands-on experience and teaches the methods and terms used on real crabbing boats. Individual crabbing is more relaxing and less stressful. Your guide will take you to the best places for finding crab and show you how to set individual crab pots. Some even provide campfire cooking of the delicious catch of the day.

Equipment

• Fishing for crab is different from other fishing, especially in Alaska. Crab pots dropped into the water let crab in but not out again. Your charter company will have all of the necessary equipment and give you instructions on getting the pots in the water, and pulling them back out. Depending on the type of charter you pick---off-shore, on a boat or from land---you still use pots, just different types. Boat pots have hundreds of feet of line and buoys to mark their location in the deep water. Individual pots are hung by hand from banks or bridges and anchored to the shore or structure so you pull them up a few hours later. Your charter guide has bait available that is best suited to the type of crab and area.