First of all I would like to thank you for the invitation to Pelican, Alaska during the off-season. It's a welcome break from life in the lower 48! It's very peaceful here. What you say we get right into the questions about Alaska fishing techniques and tips?

Steven Moore: What is your overall philosophy about fishing southeast Alaska?

Captain Hay: My philosophy is to provide my angling clients with the 'very best' boats, equipment, gear, and tackle, combined with a wealth of knowledge about fishing southeast Alaska. To start with, Pro-Angler boats are rigged especially for southeast Alaska fishing in Cross Sound and the Gulf of Alaska. They have custom aluminum rigging/stabilizers to provide comfort and stability as Pro-Angler boats are like a 'sheet of plywood' on the water. Also, our time spent fishing is much more productive, and we can catch fish while other charter boats cannot compete in marginal water conditions. On the evening before the fishing, I always confer with my angling clients, and plan for the best way to spend the day considering what they desire to target. We also make the 'best decision' regarding tides, weather, and where to spend our time.

Steven Moore: I've caught my daily limit of Kings and would like to try my hand at landing a beefy halibut. What fishing technique(s) should I employ?

Captain Hay: About 20 years ago, I discovered the 'best kept secret' lure on planet earth for catching bottom fish, including Pacific halibut. That lure is a #7 Luhr-Jensen Krocodile. It simply out-fishes bait, or just about anything else you may fish with. Also, the #7 'Secret' will catch salmon as well. I designed a new halibut jig, called "Captain Hay's BIG JIG", these new lures are 10oz, 14oz, and 16oz., and are very effective, especially when the tides are strong, and wind conditions make it better to use the heavier jigs.

Steven Moore: I know fly-fishing for halibut is not an often-used technique, but I am interested in catching a 'chicken-butt' on a fly. Would it be in the cards while fishing with you?

Captain Hay: Yes. All we have to do is take a day and strip/fly fish with shooting head leaded fly line and #15 Lamiglas or #16 Sage custom saltwater fly rods and Billy Pate reels which I always have on hand for the right conditions. Usually, the best time and place to pursue a halibut on a fly is during late summer when the big critters are hanging around mouths of streams preying on migrating salmon. You'll find them in less than 30'-40' of water. I use large sailfish type of flies with larger hooks.

Steven Moore: Having worked in the Alaska salmon processing industry over the years; I know there are literally millions of pink salmon roaming through Cross Sound. What is the best sport fishing technique to use to catch them, and are they worth catching?

Captain Hay: Pink, or "Humpies from Hell", as the commercial fishermen call them, are feisty and usually like to bite on anything that is pink, or colorful. Light tackle will give these silver bright humpbacks a chance to show you how tough they really are! They're worth catching if you want to enjoy loads of fun playing them on light tackle. Eating-wise, silver bright males are excellent canned or smoked; otherwise, you use them as bait to attract bottom-fish - especially, a hungry halibut.

Steven Moore: How do tides affect fishing conditions?

Captain Hay: The tides and weather greatly affect the fishing on a daily basis. The best time to be fishing is usually an hour before a tide change. Also, you'll find that the building tides are always the best time to be fishing during the month.


Steven Moore: Are fish attracted to particular colors and shapes?

Captain Hay: Yes. I have found a few selected spoons that work especially better than the same spoon that may not be colored. Also, there are a few favorite hoochies that will consistently work better day after day.

Steven Moore: Are fish attracted to particular odors/scents?

Captain Hay: I am always salting bait to keep the herring stiff and shiny. There isn't much scent with trolled bait. Fish have a powerful sense of smell, but my understanding is that it is used primarily to locate their place of birth, rather than locate their prey. I do know certain odors, such as the smell of jellyfish, will scare them off, so it is important to keep the terminal gear clean.

Steven Moore: Does one ever reach a point when there isn't any room for improvement when it comes to fishing techniques? A point when one knows it all.

Captain Hay: No. That's what makes fishing so challenging. For example, the new "Captain Hay's BIG JIG" is much more effective than the 7oz lure I have been using all these years because there isn't another lure like the 'fluttering' BIG JIG when it comes to catching halibut.

Steven Moore: What is the idea (science) behind hoochies, flashers, dodgers, lures etc.?

Captain Hay: Quite simple. Flashers and dodgers are attractants. They mimic the caudal fin action of an attacking salmon as it slashes violently at at bait ball. The vibrations signal salmon in the area of the presence of bait. It also swings colorful lures giving the lure some action. The lure does just what the word implies; it allures the target species so one can sink a hook into it. When choosing lures it is important to know what bait the fish are feeding on. This is discovered when one inspects the entrails immediately upon catching the first salmon of the day.

Steven Moore: Is fresh bait effective, if so, under what conditions?

Captain Hay: Mooching for salmon is effective with fresh herring; however, salted herring will usually work just as well. In fact, lots of times, the metal candle fish jigs will out fish fresh bait. Hey, I'm always thinking like a fish. What can I say?

Steven Moore: Are there accessible lakes, rivers and streams in the area where one can fly-fish?

Captain Hay: Yes. There are some virtually virgin streams and lakes in the West Chichagof/Yakobi wilderness areas that can provide fast, exciting fly-fishing or spin fishing.

Steven Moore: I realize we are talking about Alaska sport fishing techniques, but I would like to get some input on the equipment you use. Can you discuss, in a general way, what considerations are taken into account when choosing specific gear?

Captain Hay: I have the very best rods and reels money can buy for my angling clients to use. You'll be fishing with the latest fishing reels: Shimano, Newell, Scientific, and Billy Pate fly reels. Lamiglas, Shimano and Sage fly rods. Also, I have custom designed down riggers that no other charter skipper in all of Alaska have installed on their boats.

Steven Moore: I know there are lots of different fishing techniques employed such as: fly-fishing, mooching, drifting, anchoring etc. Can you explain these techniques?

Captain Hay: First, let's address trolling and mooching for salmon. Of course, trolling for king salmon in deep water (up to 200 feet) is most effective with POWER DOWNRIGGERS and my custom-built riggers can swing a 20-25 lb ball to get down where Chinook are feeding. Most charter boats utilize 10-12 lb balls which are not nearly as effective. Mooching is very effective when the salmon are feeding in 30-80' of water on the ocean where the tide and wind can move the bait, usually herring strips, or cut-plug herring. Also, artificial lures, like Pt Wilson darts are effective when mooching. Drifting and jigging off the bottom is the best way to catch Pacific Halibut, Yelloweye and ling cod. Most charter captains use lead balls, circle hooks and baited hooks with strips of filleted fish, and salmon bellies. I prefer to use Luhr-Jensen #7 Krocodile with 3' of 80lb test leader and Captain Hay's BIG JIG - 10oz, 14oz, 16 oz with 3 feet of 80 lb test mono. These lures are deadly effective!