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Two Tuna Jackpot contestants will find out that
Kingfisher Charters and Lodge in Sitka all about quality


The ultimate Alaska destination for spectacular fishing, scenery, and luxury


A day in a stay at Kingfisher

The alarm goes off at 4:30 in order to make it down to breakfast in the dining room when the doors open at 5:00. It's a full-on hot breakfast spread that also has fruit and yogurt and other lighter options. Most go for the full-on heaping plate of meat and eggs.

Come 5:45 the vans leave the lodge to take anglers down to the docks, where the fleet made up mostly of independent owner/operators wait for Kingfisher's guests. Anglers don't have to worry about anything except remembering their fishing licenses, which are filled out first thing after dropping the bags.

The boats are away from the dock from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Most days are a halibut/salmon combo deal that has rockfish and lingcod in the mix, but if you want to focus on one or the other, the captains will do whatever you want. Like fishing anyplace away from home, it's best to just go with the flow.

At 4 p.m. the vans return you to the lodge — after the driver offers to stop at the store for any drinks — and after what feels like the greatest shower ever, a staff member brings up appetizers. Dinner is at 6 p.m., and includes soup and salad bar to go with the choice of three entrees. On our trips it ranged from huge New York steaks and prime rib to crab and seafood choices galore.

There's plenty to do after dinner, although most just watch some television and crash out. A dip in one of the two hot tubs is an option, as is going down to the beach or small streams.

While anglers relax, the fish processors get busy with the day's catch. Care beyond care is taken with the fish that gets vacuum sealed in beautiful one or two serving pieces.

While most anglers plan their trips way in advance, there's still prime spots open for the 2010 season before it wraps up come mid-September.

"There are still some openings in late August and early September, which is prime time for halibut, lings, and silvers," says Kingfisher's owner, Seth Bone. It's prime time for the bigger silvers, he says. "The silvers are big in late summer; a lot of fish in the 15-pound range and some hitting 20 pounds. We even catch a few kings in late summer." Kingfisher has a special running Aug. 29 to Sept. 2. It's a 3 day/4-night package, where an angler can experience a quality all-inclusive Alaska trip for a great price. Form more info on everything Kingfisher go to www.kingfishercharters.com or call (800) 727-6136.

This year's Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot will have two lucky winners going from Land's End in Cabo to the Last Frontier, thanks to Frontier Charters and Lodge in Sitka, Alaska, giving away two packages valued at $1395.

Depending on the conditions, and time of year, your captain may decide to fish for salmon first, either trolling or drifting with bait, or going after huge halibut.

Many anglers hope to achieve the "Alaska Grand Slam" at Kingfisher by catching salmon, halibut, lingcod and rockfish, quite often all four on the same day.

Kingfisher Lodge maintains its own fish processing plant, to assure that your catch is kept fresh and handled to perfection. Fish are professionally filleted, vacuum sealed, and flash frozen. When you depart for home, the catch is packed into insulated boxes that are airline approved. Many guests report that their fish still tastes like fresh-caught after more than a year in the freezer.

All Kingfisher boats boast first-quality salmon trolling rods and reels. Halibut rods feature two-speed reels filled with 80-pound test Spectra line. Everything is top of the line. Extremely interesting are the specialized halibut bait leaders, made with 600-pound test parachute cord and a size 20/0 circle hook. All boats are also outfitted with foul weather gear and boots.

Hearty pre-fishing breakfasts, delicious on-the-water box lunches, and unbelievable gourmet dinners are standard fare at Kingfisher Lodge. Perhaps the finest touch is the post-fishing appetizers that are brought to your room while you relax and brag about the day's catch.

Kingfisher Lodge is set on a tree-covered hillside with a spectacular view of Sitka Sound and its' massive extinct volcano, Mount Edgecumbe. Photographic opportunities abound. Kingfisher handles everything, including picking you up at the airport, issuing fishing licenses, and every other imaginable detail.

Two Tuna Jackpot anglers are going to find all this out fist hand.

Caps THE SPACIOUS ROOMS, HOT SHOWERS, and comfortable beds are very welcoming after a long day on the water. Each floor also boasts a big-screen TV with satellite service. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE AN EXPERT as these young ladies found out this past season at Kingfisher Lodge.