owner operated by captain Josh Hammond

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MY FISHING STORY

   I grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona and this is where my passion for fishing developed at a young age. My father had a fishing rod in my hand at the tender age of 2. So I guess you could say that fishing is in my blood. I have family in southern California, so this gave me the opportunity to spend almost all my summers growing up near Dana point and also Newport Beach. Spending my summers fishing off the beach and  charter boats, my desire became an obsession. I absolutely loved and couldn't get enough of the ocean. At a point in time around the age of 13, I decided to jump in the water and see what I was missing out on. Spear fishing became a new hobby and sport I couldn't get enough of. Ive spent thousands of hours fishing and spearfishing all around the world. Targeting fish like marlin, tuna, wahoo, mahi mahi, yellow tail, Sea bass, halibut, salmon, ling cod and much more. For some reason I have always had a burning desire to keep trying new locations and targeting new species with every tactic known. 

   Fast forward to may, 2012. I found myself in the middle of the pacific on a beautiful island called Maui. From what was supposed be a summer trip turned into where I started my career and found my wife Bailey. I have been running fishing charters out of Lahaina, Maui for over 13 years. I have seen fish weighed over a thousand pounds and I have landed and weighted fish of my own up to 675 pounds. I have been apart of thousands of fishing stories and memories while taking over 15,000 people fishing in the span of my career and I feel like I am just getting started.

    On August 8, 2023 our life that we knew was flipped upside down. My wife Bailey and I lost everything in the Lahaina fire. From what started as a broke kid with a dream to having his own boat in Lahaina harbor chasing big fish. To what I built, a 2 boat charter fishing company with 7 employee's who all shared the same passion for the ocean that I did. For what took 12 years of investing time and waiting for an opportunity to run my own business out of Lahaina, turned to ashes in less than 8 hours. Now this isn't a story to feel sorry for me, some people were a lot less fortunate then I was. so I'll save the details for another time.

    So you ask, how did I end up in Ketchikan, Alaska? well the short answer to this question is,  A good friend of mine Trent Uptegraff who owns Ketchikan Sport Fishing got me into it. Scoring me a job with Baranof fishing expeditions back in 2018. Trent and I have been great friends for many years and we share an incredible bond over hunting and fishing.

     When I arrived in Ketchikan, I fell in love with it immediately. The landscape, the fishing and the people. I have spend many summers fishing for Baranof and have made friends along the way. Ketchikan holds a special place in my heart with Its beauty and vibrant surroundings making me feel alive. Now what really draws me in is the amazing amount of fish that are present during the summer months. Millions of salmon passing through and great number of halibut as well making for great fishing. I always tell people fishing in Alaska is easy compared to Hawaii. Fishing is Alaska is seasonal so this gaves me the opportunity to fish in Hawaii from October-april and in Alaska May-September. I love taking a break from Hawaii and seeing all the wonderful beauty that Ketchikan has to offer.

 After the fires in Lahaina I now have the time to start the business in Ketchikan that I've wanted to do the past few years. my wife Bailey and I plan to run seasonal charters in Alaska and rebuild our company in Maui when the time is right. I am very excited to run my own business for the first year 2024 in Ketchikan, Alaska and look forward to a brighter future.

 "Josh is known to display exceptional customer service and values the safety of his passengers. Being the top priority of his work, he insures the safety and comfortability of his guests. Captain Josh enjoys meeting and sharing his passion with everyone of his clients. With taking over 15,000 passengers fishing in the span of his career, Josh will make sure you feel confident and your expectations are known and met. Josh appreciates and values each and everyone of his guests and treats them with the upmost respect."