Private Charter Overview
Big Jim’s Charters operates private fishing, whale-watching, and sightseeing charters from Fisherman’s Bend Marina in Auke Bay, near Juneau, Alaska. The company works with both cruise passengers and local guests, and 80% of its charters are with fishermen off the cruise ships. Every trip is exclusive to one group, aboard 30-foot boats with heated cabins, refrigerators, seating for six, and a private head.
Experience the ultimate Alaskan adventure with Big Jim’s Charters. All our trips are private charters, so your group will have the boat to yourselves — no strangers, no mixing groups. Whether you’re arriving via cruise ship in Juneau or a local guest, we provide flexible schedules to accommodate your arrival and departure times.
Every Big Jim’s Charters trip is a private charter, so your group has the boat to itself and the schedule can be planned around your arrival and departure times. Boats are set up for sportfishing, sightseeing, and whale watching, and fishing trips include gear, bait, and safety equipment. Guests keep their catch, which is cleaned and bagged at the dock. For an extra cost, fish can go to a processor to be trimmed, portioned, vacuum sealed, and flash frozen, then held and shipped home overnight via FedEx. Round-trip transportation between the cruise terminal and Auke Bay Harbor is $100 per group.
Our Boats are set up for Sportfishing, Sightseeing and Whale Watching. All boats are 30 feet long with heated cabins, refrigerator, comfortable seating for 6 and a private head(bathroom) the deck is not covered and requires rain gear.
Fish Processing costs extra, we will clean your catch and bag it up for you to take home or we can send it to a fish processor and they will trim it, portion it, vacuum seal and flash freeze it. They have a large freezer and will hold it until you arrive back home and then overnight it to your home via FedEx. The least expensive way to take fish home is to have your frozen catch put in an airline approved box (a foam with cardboard around it) and check it as baggage, the processor has the boxes and they also have them at the grocery stores and Sportsman’s Warehouse.
Please purchase your Alaska State Sportfishing License from the Department of Fish and Game Website. They do not put the prices of fishing licenses up due to them changing yearly. A Sportfishing license is required for 16 and older, you should purchase a one day or multi day license if you’re going to be fishing somewhere else. There is always a chance that you will catch a legal King Salmon and you should purchase a King Stamp, an adult must be licensed when fishing with youth. Read more information on License Requirements to go fishing.
Big Jim’s Charters offers private fishing, whale-watching, and sightseeing trips around Juneau and Auke Bay, Alaska. Charters are exclusive to each group and can be customized around guest schedules, including cruise ship arrival and departure times. Fishing trips include gear, bait, and safety equipment, while all boats provide heated cabins, private heads, seating for up to six, and outdoor viewing areas.
Yes. Guests 16 years and older must purchase an Alaska fishing license online from the Alaska Department of Fish & Game before the trip. Licenses are no longer sold on the boat. Save a digital copy or print it, because it will be scanned by QR code before boarding.
Yes. There is always a chance of catching a legal King Salmon, so Big Jim’s Charters recommends purchasing a King Stamp along with your sportfishing license. An adult must be licensed when fishing with youth.
Big Jim’s Charters cleans and bags your catch at the dock. For an extra cost, a fish processor can trim, portion, vacuum seal, and flash freeze it, hold it, and overnight it to your home via FedEx. The least expensive option is to check your frozen catch as baggage in an airline-approved box, available from the processor, grocery stores, and Sportsman’s Warehouse.
Safety is the top priority. In the event of inclement weather or unsafe sea conditions, Big Jim’s Charters will reschedule your charter or provide a full refund.
Yes. Children are welcome on all charters, and flexible scheduling allows the trip to be tailored for families.
Reservations are taken 24/7, 365 days a year. Call, send an email, or fill out the contact form; if no one answers, leave a message and Big Jim’s Charters will get back to you.
Guests meet at Fisherman’s Bend Marina in Auke Bay before departure. If you are arriving by cruise ship, the captain will coordinate pickup by phone or meet you holding a Big Jim’s Charters sign.
Fishing Boat Features
- Seating for up to 6 fisherman or women enclosed head private room.
- All safety equipment required by the Coast Guard.
- Heated cabin with ample window to enjoy the views of the wildlife.
- All fishing tackle for Halibut and Salmon with electric downriggers.
- All charters are Exclusive Private for 1 to 4 persons with a extra charge up to 6 people per boat.
What Sets the Big Jim’s Charter Experience Apart:
- Exclusive private charters, so you decide who joins your trip
- Charter times custom planned around cruise ship arrival and departure
- Round-trip cruise terminal transportation for $100 per group
- Fish cleaning and bagging at the dock, with processing and FedEx shipping available
- All halibut and salmon tackle, with electric downriggers
- All safety equipment required by the Coast Guard
- Rescheduling or a full refund if weather or sea conditions are unsafe
- Children welcome on all charters
Trip Durations and Options
We Offer Multiple Charter Durations to Fit Your Schedule and Interests
All trips are fully equipped with gear, bait, and safety equipment. Guests keep their catch, and we provide cleaning and bagging services at the dock. Business hours Alaska time zone open for 6am to 6pm daily through our season May to September. Normal start times for:
- 4-hour charter is 8am to 12 noon and 1pm to 5pm. Perfect for a half-day adventure or quick stop for cruise passengers.
- 6-hour charters are 8am to 2pm. Ideal for a full fishing experience or sightseeing along the Glacier Highway.
- 8-hour charter is 8am to 4pm. Maximum time to explore, fish, and enjoy wildlife like humpback whales, sea lions, and bald eagles.
Getting Ready for Your Big Jim’s Charter
- Reserve Your Charter: Call, email, or fill out the contact form. Reservations are taken 24/7, 365 days a year; if no one answers, leave a message.
- Share Your Schedule: Provide your ship’s arrival time so your charter can be scheduled around it.
- Buy Your Fishing License Online: Guests 16 and older must buy an Alaska fishing license from the Alaska Department of Fish & Game before the trip. Licenses are not sold on the boat, and the license is scanned by QR code before boarding.
- Pack for Alaska Weather: Bring layered clothing, non-slip shoes, a waterproof jacket, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a camera or binoculars.
- Get to Auke Bay: Meet at Fisherman’s Bend Marina, or arrange transportation from the cruise terminal or airport for an additional charge.
- Take Your Catch Home: Your catch is cleaned and bagged at the dock, or it can be sent to a processor to be frozen and shipped home.
Charters are not fixed in stone, and Big Jim’s Charters can custom plan your trip to fit your schedule.
Charters are not fixed in stone and we can custom plan your charter to meet your schedule. 80% of our charters are with fishermen off the cruise ship.
Our Whale Watching and Sightseeing Tours are normally 3 hours and we can adjust the times to meet your schedule, we provide 4, 6, and 8 hour tours.
We are available to take reservations 24/7 and 365 days, call us, send us an email, or fill out the form. If we don’t answer, please leave a message and we will get back to you.
Transportation for Cruise Passengers
If you’re arriving on a Juneau cruise, we can arrange round-trip transportation from the cruise terminal to Auke Bay Harbor. Standard round-trip transportation: $100 per group. If you have your own rental car or local transportation, you can meet us directly at the marina. We’ll coordinate pickup via phone or meet you holding a Big Jim’s Charters sign for easy identification. We recommend providing your ship’s arrival time so we can schedule your charter accordingly.
What’s Included
- Private boat charter with experienced captain
- Fishing gear and bait (for fishing trips)
- Fish cleaning and bagging service
- Safety equipment and life jackets
- Snacks and beverages on request
Alaska Fishing License Requirements
Guests 16 years and older must purchase an Alaska fishing license online prior to the trip. Licenses are no longer sold on the boat. Purchase online at Alaska Department of Fish & Game (https://www.adfg.alaska.gov) – Save a digital copy or print the license; it will be scanned via QR code before boarding – Required for all fishing trips.
Family-Friendly and Private
- Children are welcome on all charters
- Private charters only — you decide who joins your trip
- Flexible scheduling allows you to tailor the trip for families or photography
What to Bring
- Layered clothing for changing weather conditions
- Non-slip shoes
- Waterproof jacket
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Camera or binoculars for wildlife and scenery
Safety and Weather Policy Safety is our top priority. In the event of inclement weather or unsafe sea conditions, we will reschedule your charter or provide a full refund.
Booking and Contact
Ready to reserve your private Juneau charter? Contact us today by calling (907) 463-1254 – Toll-free: (866) 244-5467 OR Email: mhbonfils@msn.com. For more details on frequently asked questions, visit our FAQ page (https://www.bigjimscharters.com/faq/).