Abby’s 1st Alaskan Catch – A Surprise Halibut While Salmon Trolling

We recently headed out for another Ketchikan fishing adventure, and this time it was all about Abby landing her very first Alaskan Halibut. There’s nothing quite like a first fishing trip in Alaska, and Abby’s couldn’t have been scripted any better. We were salmon trolling near Ketchikan aboard the 4C’s, working the gear through prime Salmon waters, when her rod suddenly doubled over.

At first, everyone thought it was a big salmon. The rod pulsed, the drag clicked, and Abby fought with everything she had. But as the minutes passed, the fight turned into that unmistakable, steady halibut pull. When the fish finally surfaced, there it was – a beautiful Alaska halibut, hooked while trolling for salmon.

Planning Your Own Ketchikan Fishing Adventure

Catches like this are a welcome bonus while out salmon fishing for the day. Halibut are usually caught on the bottom, but every so often one will come up and take a salmon bait. It’s one of those surprises that makes Alaskan fishing so special – you never really know what’s coming up next.

For Abby, it was the perfect welcome to Alaska – a first catch that was both unexpected and unforgettable.  If you’re looking for your own Ketchikan fishing adventure, check out our available dates for the 2026 season!