June, 2013
T R AV E L A large galley (which guests must use on their own) boasts a coffee maker, toaster, microwave oven, gas stove and electric frying pan. There's also a large kitchen table and spacious bathroom; the boat carries adequate fresh water for showers once a day. After the trip, rent snorkel gear and dive the vibrant Key West Marine Park where even first-timers can spot colorful tropical fish and tiny briny lobsters. Cap the night with a pub crawl along historic Duval Street, home of the original Margaritaville CafĂŠ. Supergun Charters WHERE: OXNARD, CALIFORNIA
Close to the mainland of Southern California,
Gulf of Alaska
yet seemingly worlds apart, Channel Islands National Park encompasses five islands and
Alaska Sea Adventures
Back on shore, take a day or two to explore
some of the best deep-water fishing in the
WHERE: PETERSBURG, ALASKA
Petersburg -- a town so obsessed with its
Pacific Ocean. One of the best ways to get
With halibut the size of motorcycles and
Scandinavian heritage that some call it "Little
there is on a two-day chartered fishing excur-
salmon that can weigh as much as small
Norway." Food options here are slim, but the
sion with Supergun Charters.
children, the Gulf of Alaska is a deep-sea
Northern Lights Restaurant near the marina
fisherman's dream. Perhaps this is why the
has the basics covered. After dinner, head to
Supergun's 46-foot Bertram Flybridge Sport-
six-night, seven-day Silver Salmon Fishing
the Harbor Bar for a pint of - what else? -
fisher departs Channel Islands Harbor in Ox-
excursion with Alaska Sea Adventures is
Alaskan Amber beer.
nard and heads due west until it's directly
one of the most popular fishing trips in the Northwest.
over thousand-foot canyons that run close to Andy Griffiths Charters WHERE: KEY WEST, FLORIDA
shore. Here, crew members catch some live squid for bait and encourage guests to use it
The adventure leaves from Petersburg, a
When Highway 1 ends in Key West, Florida,
to angle for everything from white sea bass,
small fishing town on the Inside Passage.
the only way to continue west is by boat.
calico, yellowtail bass and halibut.
Aboard the 60-foot M/V Alaska Adventurer,
That's where Andy Griffiths Charters comes
the crew heads west, powering through the
in handy. The outfitter runs two and three-day
At night, from the aft deck, the view of the
whale-infested waters of the Icy Strait and
overnight fishing charters from Key West to
pock-marked heavens on a clear night is
into the gulf for some serious fishing. When
Dry Tortugas National Park.
spectacular. Downstairs, relax below deck
the water's calm, the depths teem with all
in two spacious staterooms before emerg-
manner of sea life, from halibut to black cod.
Most of the fishing in the Tortugas revolves
ing for a home-cooked dinner and a movie on
When the sea rages, the crew heads east to
around coral reefs and shipwrecks. With bait
the 28-inch digital flat-screen surround-sound
the passage, where salmon abound.
supplied by the outfitter, guests angle their
system. The boat also boasts two heated
own rods for snapper, grouper, cobia, amber-
showers and a decent-sized bathroom.
A gyro-stabilized fishing platform on the
jack, kingfish, sharks and barracudas. Some-
boat's aft deck is just a few steps from a com-
times, in up to 200 feet of water, the captains
Before heading home, stop back at the harbor
fortable salon, dining table, large freezer and
choose to troll, in an attempt to catch mahi
and grab a meal at The Whale’s Tail, a seafood
a fully-stocked refrigerator. Down below, four
mahi, sailfish, wahoo or tuna.
restaurant with legendary lobster taquitos,
private staterooms, three bathrooms and
and a stellar view of the marina. Another diver-
two hot-water showers provide inn-quality
All six of Griffiths's 43-foot motor vessels
sion: the Maritime Museum, which celebrates
accommodations.
sleep only six, making the bunk-style accom-
the art of model shipbuilding and displays the
modations seem spacious for those onboard.
life's work of master modeler Ed Marple.
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
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