Angling Unlimited is one of Sitka’s most established fishing operations, working these waters since 1993 with a deep roster of named captains and a light tackle mooching specialty that draws anglers back year after year. Founded by Capt. Tom Ohaus and moved to Sitka the same year Capt. Chuck McNamee joined, it runs a fleet of welded aluminum Almar and North River boats and offers both multi day lodge packages and bookable single day charters, including dock to dock cruise ship trips. With more than 100 reviews on TripAdvisor and a high repeat and referral rate, it has one of the longest, deepest records in the port.
The verdict and where it ranks
At 8.1 Angling Unlimited is a strong choice and one of the most established names in Sitka, carried by 30 years of operation, a large positive review base, and a distinctive mooching style. It suits anglers who want a long running local operation and the option of either a day charter or a multi day lodge stay. It ranks behind the two boats at the top because the day charter is a high priced, by the boat product built around a lodge business rather than a dedicated day operation, which weighs on value, and its boats, while solid, are not the newest in the port. One critical review noted weather and unexpected lodging costs and feeling unwelcome about returning, against a strongly positive backdrop. For the newest boats compare Sitka Fishing Excursions; the full field is on the Sitka ranking.
The boats
Angling Unlimited runs a fleet of welded aluminum boats built by Almar and North River, in the 29 to 30 foot range, with full walk around decks, a private marine head, and 22 to 24 knot cruising speed, fishing a maximum of six anglers. They are capable, comfortable working boats, well suited to the mooching the operation is known for, though they are an older design than the newest stabilized hulls in the port. The fleet depth means the operation can run several boats a day and match a group to a boat, which is part of how it supports both the lodge and the day trade. On boat and equipment it is solid rather than standout.
The fishing and what you target
Angling Unlimited fishes the full Sitka card, salmon first and by mooching. King salmon is the signature, at one a day for nonresidents at 28 inches or greater, fished hardest from mid May into July, and silver salmon run at six a day through the summer. Pacific halibut is one a day under the 2026 Area 2C charter slot, 34 inches or under or 80 inches or over, with the Thursday closures from June 18 to September 10. Lingcod, rockfish, and black cod fill out the bottom. The mooching specialty, fishing salmon on lighter tackle, is the distinctive part of the experience and a reason the operation has a deep repeat following. The captains fish to the season and the conditions.
Trips and prices
The day charters are priced by the boat for up to four anglers, then per added person to a maximum of six: a 3 hour cruise trip is $1,400, a 6 hour cruise trip is $1,800, and a 10 hour full day is $2,400, each plus $350 to $400 per extra angler. The guide, rain gear, rods, reels, bait, tackle, and snacks are included, while the 6% sales tax and $10 per person fish box tax, the Alaska license and stamps, processing at $3.50 a pound, and gratuity are extra. The multi day lodge packages run per person, from about $2,130 in the early season to $5,345 for the longest peak season stay, with most meals, lodging, transport, and two fish boxes included. The day charter is a high priced way to fish by the boat, which is the main mark against it on value; our cost guide sets the numbers in context.
The crew
The crew and the longevity are the strengths. The operation has fished Sitka since 1993, with founder Tom Ohaus, Chuck McNamee, and a roster including Sarah, Jack, Tyler, and Ryan, and reviewers consistently praise professional, attentive captains and deckhands who keep people on fish and communicate well, with the site citing a 90% repeat or referral rate. That depth is why track record is the strongest factor here. The honest qualifier is a single critical review describing bad weather, lodging costs the guest had not expected, and feeling unwelcome about a return visit, which sits against an otherwise strongly positive base of more than 100 reviews. It is a reminder to confirm exactly what your package or charter includes before you go.
Booking and what to know
Angling Unlimited books through its own site out of 4256 Halibut Point Road, with cruise charters running dock to dock from the Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal. Decide first between a day charter and a multi day lodge package, then confirm the inclusions, since the day charter price is by the boat and the extras, license, stamps, taxes, and processing, add up. Bring warm waterproof layers for the cold, wet outer coast, a hat, sunscreen, and motion sickness medicine. Rain gear and gear are provided. Processing runs $3.50 a pound on the day charter, with two boxes included in the lodge packages. Confirm the day before in case the weather forces a call.
How we scored it
Angling Unlimited earns its 8.1 on 30 years in Sitka, a large positive review base, a deep captain roster, and a distinctive mooching specialty. Track record is its strongest factor. It is held below the top of the port by a day charter that is high priced and built around a lodge business, which weighs on value, and by boats that are solid but not the newest in the port. See how we scored this boat and the rest of the Sitka charters we rank.