We’ve written about a number of Alaskan cruise options, including some of the best cruise destinations, like Ketchikan, the state’s picturesque “first city,” which sits at the southern tip of the Inside Passage.
Whether you visit by cruise, or head there directly, it’s one of the best spots in the nation for sports fishing, and joining an excursion with Alaska Strike Zone Sportfishing may be the ideal way to experience it.
If this business sounds familiar, it may be because it was thrust into the spotlight in 2016 after capturing an incredible video of a humpback whale right from its dock at Knudson Cove near Ketchikan that went viral, earning millions of views and coverage across the world. If you haven’t seen it, you can check it on below:
We were fortunate enough to speak with the owners of this highly-acclaimed outfitter recently, Luke and Maria Stamm, making it a no-brainer to choose Alaska Strike Zone Sportfishing as our Face of the Northwest feature of the week.
Fishing with Alaska Strike Zone, Ketchikan, Alaska
photo credit: Alaska Strike Zone Sportfishing
Can you give us an overview of what Alaska Strike Zone does?
We offer half day and full day, salmon and halibut fishing charters to our guests that travel from all over the world. We also offer a wild life tour for guests wanting to capture and enjoy a variety of marine mammal including: humpback whales, orca whales, seals, sea lions and eagles showing off in their natural habitat.
How did you get started?
Luke has always had a love for fishing. He fished as soon as he could walk, and served as a charter deckhand for his father at just nine years old. He worked for his father’s charter business (Lucky Strike Charters) for over a decade as a captain before branching off on his own in 2000, starting Alaska Strike Zone Sportfishing with one vessel, and has since grown to a five vessel operation.
Knudson Cove Marina, Ketchikan, Alaska
photo credit: Alaska Strike Zone Sportsfishing
Do you have any insider tips for those who hope to fish while in Ketchikan?
Try to narrow down the peak seasons on the fish that you want to target. We also recommend booking early to get the prime dates that you want, as the waters around Ketchikan are some of the best on the planet for salmon and halibut fishing. While Alaska Strike Zone offers Ketchikan’s largest private charter feet, things tend to sell out quickly, with anglers coming from across the globe for the experience.
When you have a day off, what are some of your favorite things to do in the Northwest?
On our days off, we enjoy fishing, shrimping and crabbing, just being out in the ocean in general.
If you had to describe what you love about the Northwest in 3 words, what would you choose?
Feels like home.
Ketchikan sunset with Alaska Strike Zone Fishing
photo credit: Alaska Strike Zone Fishing
Is there anything else you’d like people to know?
Ketchikan Alaska is the Salmon Capital Of The World.
You can find Alaska Strike Zone Sportsfishing at www.alaskastrikezone.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/alaskastrikezone
More details and spectacular scenes are available in the video below:
