Alaska Wide Open Charters
Alaska Wide Open Charters
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About
Get the best experience fishing the legendary waters on the west coast of Prince of Wales out of Craig, Alaska with Captain Joel Steenstra. Captain Joel has well over a thousand days guiding and commercial fishing the waters he will be guiding you on. Alaska Wide Open Charters is a one boat, family run charter fishing operation offering charter fishing packages out of Craig, Alaska.
Craig, Alaska
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Why book with Alaska Wide Open Charters
- Fisherman
- I have been a charter captain for 16 years
- English
Alaska Wide Open Charters
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
5.0
9 reviews
Excellent
9
Very good
0
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Robtin
Kingman, AZ25 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
Two couples on fishing adventure. Great accommodations. Right on water overlooking bay with whale sightings, otters and beautiful sunsets. Modern clean and comfortable two bedroom condo near all city amenities. Capt Joel and his wife Leeann kept us informed and the condo stocked with plenty of fresh food and cooking supplies. Comfortable beds and furnishings. The weather was rough first couple days with high winds and rain. That said our capt jeff did a great job keeping us out of bad weather and catching fish. Plenty of small halibut and rock fish as well as one monster 175lb halibut. Caught limit of nice king salmon all three days. Our party of four took home 300lbs of fish. Highly recommend this charter for their fishing acumen and their special attention to our ladies needs.
Written June 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul
2 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
Been coming to Alaska for 7 years.. Far and away best captain & package by far. Knowledge of area top-notch (in fact other captains ask him for advice). Patient with kids and non-fishermen but allows seasoned fisherman leeway. Boarding arrangement and wife’s lunches are a treat. Little things (like not having to bring boots and rain gear) Extra Bonus... Again— doesn’t get better than this in Alaska...
Yes- we limited every day too
Paul
Yes- we limited every day too
Paul
Written March 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Clifford S
37 contributions
Jun 2024 • Friends
Joel was an excellent captain and guide. He put us on the fish quickly and was willing to do what it took to limit each day. Joel treated us with respect and was patient with the new guy. Leeann took great care of the fish each day. A great time was had by all.
Written June 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fawn_7
Las Vegas, NV112 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
For the past couple decades, my husband and I have gone fishing for salmon and halibut in Alaska or British Columbia every summer. We always enjoyed the fishing, but we never found any trip to be so good that we wanted to go back out with the same captain the next year. But finally, last year, we went out with Wide Open Charters and found a fishing captain that we want to go fishing with every year.
This was our second year going out with Captain Joel Steenstra, and our second trip was even better than the first. Joel's attention to detail is such that everything about the trip goes smoothly. Joel is a very skillful fisherman and knows where to find the fish. You won't get hungry on the boat, as you will have plenty of food, including delicious cookies his wife makes. The fish are carefully processed and packed for taking home, something you won't fully appreciate until months later when you take them out of your freezer to eat. The accommodations are perfect for an Alaskan trip. If you are planning a fishing trip to Alaska, I would strongly urge you to go with Alaska Wide Open Charters.
This was our second year going out with Captain Joel Steenstra, and our second trip was even better than the first. Joel's attention to detail is such that everything about the trip goes smoothly. Joel is a very skillful fisherman and knows where to find the fish. You won't get hungry on the boat, as you will have plenty of food, including delicious cookies his wife makes. The fish are carefully processed and packed for taking home, something you won't fully appreciate until months later when you take them out of your freezer to eat. The accommodations are perfect for an Alaskan trip. If you are planning a fishing trip to Alaska, I would strongly urge you to go with Alaska Wide Open Charters.
Written August 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jujobee
Arizona, United States50 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
You will not find a better Captain than Joel Steenstra. From the time you arrive until the minute you leave, Captain Joel makes sure everything is perfect. An early riser, Joel wants to get to the fish before anyone else. No one works harder to put fish in the boat than Joel.
The accommodations were great at the Great Blue Heron Inn. Neat, cozy, clean with a great view. Captain Joel and his wife, Leanne, made sure there was plenty to eat.
If you are thinking of going fishing in Alaska, you can never go wrong with Captain Joel, he makes your trip a memory of a lifetime!
John
The accommodations were great at the Great Blue Heron Inn. Neat, cozy, clean with a great view. Captain Joel and his wife, Leanne, made sure there was plenty to eat.
If you are thinking of going fishing in Alaska, you can never go wrong with Captain Joel, he makes your trip a memory of a lifetime!
John
Written July 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Curt F
4 contributions
Aug 2019
Our August trip was a great experience. Since my first discussion with Captain Joel, I found him to be an honest, hard working professional who knows how to navigate saltwater and fish.
I am a very seasoned fisherman who has fished since I could walk in many places throughout Alaska and the U.S./Canada. Captain Joel is by far the best guide I have fished with and takes into account all of the elements when planning the days trip, making adjustments when appropriate.
If you come to fish saltwater in Southeast Alaska, I highly recommend his services. He is a great example of how to operate a small business. I'm looking forward to 2020, Here's to another great year
God Bless
.
I am a very seasoned fisherman who has fished since I could walk in many places throughout Alaska and the U.S./Canada. Captain Joel is by far the best guide I have fished with and takes into account all of the elements when planning the days trip, making adjustments when appropriate.
If you come to fish saltwater in Southeast Alaska, I highly recommend his services. He is a great example of how to operate a small business. I'm looking forward to 2020, Here's to another great year
God Bless
.
Written December 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
skiierps
Oregon6 contributions
Aug 2019
After several years, finally was able to bring a group up to fish with Alaska Wide Open Charters, Capt. Joel his wife and family. They are truly a family operated business who go the extra mile to ensure our satisfaction...on land with our stay and out on the water.
Our stay at the Blue Heron Inn was comfortable and worked well being right at the docks. Great selection of items for 'fix your own' breakfasts. Then off to the boat for incredible fishing with Capt. Joel.
Joel is a seasoned Master Captain and Guide. He is so personable, tolerated some of our initial challenges and turned our group into competent fishermen. Safety was paramount, especially as we weathered through a major storm the second day....but we still got our fish!!
We all brought home limits of salmon, halibut, along with some lingcod. The family portions and vacu-packs all the fish which is sure making for some great eating.
In all, a very special trip for our group!
Our stay at the Blue Heron Inn was comfortable and worked well being right at the docks. Great selection of items for 'fix your own' breakfasts. Then off to the boat for incredible fishing with Capt. Joel.
Joel is a seasoned Master Captain and Guide. He is so personable, tolerated some of our initial challenges and turned our group into competent fishermen. Safety was paramount, especially as we weathered through a major storm the second day....but we still got our fish!!
We all brought home limits of salmon, halibut, along with some lingcod. The family portions and vacu-packs all the fish which is sure making for some great eating.
In all, a very special trip for our group!
Written November 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel B
Seattle, WA20 contributions
Jun 2019
This last June was my first time fishing in Craig, Alaska. My Friend Rolando and I had an Amazing 3 day fishing trip with Captain Joel, owner of Alaska Wide Open Charters. I was looking to fish in a little more remote area of SE Alaska. I decided to go to Craig, Alaska - it fit the bill. Found Alaska Wide Open Charters when looking at Fishing Charters in Craig. I am so happy I decided to go with Captain Joel. Its been a great experience from beginning to end. Captain Joel is so awesome to fish with! He is very Knowledgeable, Professional and is so genuinely excited to go fishing and find the best fishing areas for each day! We caught all large King Salmon, lots of Halibut, couple of good size Yellow Eye and many Black Rockfish. Captain Joel provided snacks, sandwiches and beverages on the boat each day. He fillets all the fish, Vacuum packs, freezes and boxes it up for you also. Would Highly recommend giving Captain Joel a call if you want to have a Great Time, Fun and catch lots of Fish!!! I have already booked my Fishing trip with Captain Joel for next June 2020... CAN'T WAIT!!
Written October 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CTProf
Weston, FL78 contributions
Jul 2019
I fish in many locales in the U.S.every year, always with a guide. Joel Steenstra and his wife, Leanne, provide a smooth, efficient, and remarkably enjoyable charter service. Fishing guides are dramatically varied. Joel is the top of the top guides that I have experienced in the last 4 decades.
First he is incredibly patient with all of the tangles, failures to follow instructions, and missed opportunities that are part of the experience of fishing with people who fish only a few times each year. I have never seen him show the least sign of distress at the clumsiness with which most people who fish attempt to carry out the guide's instructions. He is full of positive encouragement and skillfully delivered suggestions for how to turn fishing into catching.
Second, the family provides scrumptious snacks and lunch for everyone on the boat. This service is extremely rare and very appreciated by those doing the fishing.
Third, the fishing itself is incredible, largely because of Joel's skill and determination. He is skilled, creative, and determined to be the most productive guide on the waters in Craig. The payoff to his skill are the full boxes of fish that his work yields.
Fourth, Joel is simply a skilled service provider---thoughtful and devoted to his clients. We can't wait for our next experience with Wide Open Charters.
First he is incredibly patient with all of the tangles, failures to follow instructions, and missed opportunities that are part of the experience of fishing with people who fish only a few times each year. I have never seen him show the least sign of distress at the clumsiness with which most people who fish attempt to carry out the guide's instructions. He is full of positive encouragement and skillfully delivered suggestions for how to turn fishing into catching.
Second, the family provides scrumptious snacks and lunch for everyone on the boat. This service is extremely rare and very appreciated by those doing the fishing.
Third, the fishing itself is incredible, largely because of Joel's skill and determination. He is skilled, creative, and determined to be the most productive guide on the waters in Craig. The payoff to his skill are the full boxes of fish that his work yields.
Fourth, Joel is simply a skilled service provider---thoughtful and devoted to his clients. We can't wait for our next experience with Wide Open Charters.
Written August 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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