Drift Boat Fishing Alaska – Selecting The Right Fit

Published 10/22/18

Article By ANGLR Expert Evan Sledge

During my time on the river, I’ve captained several different makes of drift boats. In Alaska, our rivers are different than most in the lower 48. We have larger bodies of water, deeper, and stronger currents. The style of drift boats needed in Alaska is much different than most! Drift boat fishing is the best way to sneak down a body of water while chasing some elusive Alaskan species!

Drift Boat Fishing: The Difference Between Your Options

In the lower 48, you will see fiberglass hulls like the Clakacraft and the Hyde. They’re popular due to their weight, silence, and ability to navigate in shallow waters. In Alaska, we are looking for a big, stable boat that has the ability to hold 4 fisherman and all of our trolling gear out in front of us. Aluminum hulls like Fishrite, Willie Boats, and Alumawelds are popular. They are built like tanks.

Fishing Alaska

When you choose a boat, you want one that is comfortable to you and compliments your rowing style.

Drift Boat Fishing: Storage And Seating Are Key

It must be designed in a way that fits your gear and makes everything accessible for four fishermen. Also, being in Alaska, you can expect to get some rain, so dry storage is important. When comparing these brands, you will see that the compartments are pretty similar.

In the last couple of years, a lot of guides have been moving from bench seating to pedestal seating. Depending on the number of clients on the boat, you can shift seating and arrange it in a way to have more room and distribute weight accordingly. The disadvantage of this is you lose some dry storage space.

When it comes to rowing, I prefer 9′ 6″ oars, and from my experience it takes less effort to row the Fishrite and the Willie Boats when compared to the Alumaweld. The Willie is more maneuverable which is important when you are trying to hit tight spots to get your lures behind rocks which is a favorite spot for salmon.

Any of these brands of drift boats are great options but it all comes down to the fisherman and the waters you are trying to fish. The first decision is aluminum or fiberglass depending on the body of water, then you have to get out and try them out. I chose to order a new 2018 model, 19-66 (19 ft long; 66 in wide) custom built from Willie with a walk-through seating layout. With this model, I still have dry compartments for storage but have mobility to get around without having to step over bench seating. For King Salmon fishing, I know this arrangement is most suitable for our conditions on the Kasilof/Kenai giving us the best chance to land big fish.

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ABOUT Evan

I am the founder of Sledge Outfitters, a hunting and fishing guide service located in Central Texas and Alaska. As a third generation fisherman in Central Texas, I have been fishing my entire life. I took the skills I learned here in Texas and became one of the best King Salmon guides in Alaska. I am sponsored by Temple Fork Outfitters. I look forward to helping you all catch more fish!