So, you want to catch that once-in-a-lifetime trophy halibut? And you’ve heard Alaska is the place to go to find it?
Well, you heard right!
Alaska holds every IGFA record for Pacific Halibut, except one!
Clearly then, Alaska is the only place to consider when planning a world-class fishing trip, but what do you need to bring with you?
Here we’ll cover the basic clothing you’ll want to have for all the weathers you can expect while halibut fishing in Alaska.
What Is the Weather Like in Alaska?
As we covered in our last blog (link), the Halibut peak during the summer months, so you won’t be contending with arctic conditions!
However, this does mean you can expect up to 20 hours of daylight on your halibut fishing trip, and the weather can still be highly variable.
Kodiak gets an average of 81 inches (almost 7 feet) of rain per year, so you will need to be prepared for a whole range of weather!
What Should I Wear for Halibut Fishing?
Here we’ll cover the basics of materials and layering, to make sure you have the best experience while out halibut fishing.
Materials
The best materials to wear are those that will keep you warm even when they’re wet. Wool is an excellent insulator; think how many animals survive all kinds of conditions with woolen sweaters! It’s also great at keeping you warm when it gets wet, again because animals need to be able to survive a cold, wet winter.
Synthetic fleece also has the ability to keep you warm when it gets wet but also has the advantage of being lighter weight than wool. This can be a consideration if you’re doing physical activity such as halibut fishing.
Layers
So, how should you layer your clothes for a halibut fishing trip?
The first thing you’ll need is a base layer. This is typically thinner and should be full-length. It is designed to wick moisture away from your skin, so cotton is a big no! Cotton t-shirts will just get wet with sweat and make you feel clammy and cold.
Typically you’ll next have a couple of layers of increasing thickness, which you can remove if you get too hot, and add back on if you get too cold. This is your temperature regulation zone.
In this zone, it’s worth considering zipped clothing so that you don’t have to keep taking things off over your head, which can be especially inconvenient if you’re wearing a hat. Another thing to consider is sleeveless items, which reduce bulk on your arms but keep your core warm.
Finally, you need to consider a top layer. This should be waterproof, and just as importantly, windproof. The weight of this will vary depending on the conditions, but having both light- and heavy-duty is useful.
Final things to consider are socks, which should be just as insulating as everything else, and not an afterthought. Boots should also be waterproof and have good tread to keep you upright while battling with your halibut! A peaked hat under your raincoat is also useful just for keeping the flow of rain out of your face, making you much more comfortable. Other items to make your life more enjoyable when you’re battling the elements will depend on how snug you like to feel and can be experimented with as you gain experience.
At Kodiak Sportsman’s Lodge, we provide rain gear and boots so you can rest assured you’ll be good and dry for your whole halibut fishing experience!
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If you’re interested in fishing for monster halibut in the beautiful setting of Alaska, and having a chance to catch a record beater, you can book your world-class fishing experience on our website!