Captain
Mike Bonfils

Member since December 2016 Juneau, United States
Background
Captain Mike is a avid sport fisherman, running a 30 foot Sport Fishing boat off the west coast of California to Cabo San Lucas from 1983 to 1990. In 1990 he purchased a 48 foot Yaughtfishing boat in Washington state with a 16 foot Salmon tow. He fished British Columbia Canada from 1990 to 2000 for Salmon and in 2000 purchased a 57 foot Motor yaught towing a 26 foot Sport fisher man for Salmon and Halibut. In 2005 started Alaka Adventure Charters in Juneau, Alaska providing week long fishing trips out of Juneau, Alaska, fishing for Salmon and Halibut. In 2006 took over Big Jim’s Charters opprrating a 26 foot Charter boat out of Auke Bay, Alaska. In 2015 purchased Hi Time Charters out of Auke Bay and now operate two boats, Hot Rod and Hi Time.
Techniques
I have all the hot honey holes from my own personal experience as well as all the hot spots from Hi Time charters when I purchased that charter company in 2015. I take clients to the Hot Spots and hold the boat on the sports while our deck hand helps the fisherman get their rigs down to the bottom and start jigging for the Halibut. When the bite slows I will reposition the boat or travel to another hot spot. When all the anglers have their limits, I will take them to the hot trolling areas for Salmon. When fishing for Salmon, I put out one rod per person and slow troll using electric downriggers to get the lines to the areas where the bait and Salmon are located on my fishfinder. I draw numbers, when the next line gets hit, number one is up, after he brings in or loses the fish, he goes to the end of the line and number two is up. I don't assign one rod to each person as there is always the one hot rod that catches all the fish.

Hey, I'm Captain Mike Bonfils

Juneau, United States
Background
Captain Mike is a avid sport fisherman, running a 30 foot Sport Fishing boat off the west coast of California to Cabo San Lucas from 1983 to 1990. In 1990 he purchased a 48 foot Yaughtfishing boat in Washington state with a 16 foot Salmon tow. He fished British Columbia Canada from 1990 to 2000 for Salmon and in 2000 purchased a 57 foot Motor yaught towing a 26 foot Sport fisher man for Salmon and Halibut. In 2005 started Alaka Adventure Charters in Juneau, Alaska providing week long fishing trips out of Juneau, Alaska, fishing for Salmon and Halibut. In 2006 took over Big Jim’s Charters opprrating a 26 foot Charter boat out of Auke Bay, Alaska. In 2015 purchased Hi Time Charters out of Auke Bay and now operate two boats, Hot Rod and Hi Time.
Techniques
I have all the hot honey holes from my own personal experience as well as all the hot spots from Hi Time charters when I purchased that charter company in 2015. I take clients to the Hot Spots and hold the boat on the sports while our deck hand helps the fisherman get their rigs down to the bottom and start jigging for the Halibut. When the bite slows I will reposition the boat or travel to another hot spot. When all the anglers have their limits, I will take them to the hot trolling areas for Salmon. When fishing for Salmon, I put out one rod per person and slow troll using electric downriggers to get the lines to the areas where the bait and Salmon are located on my fishfinder. I draw numbers, when the next line gets hit, number one is up, after he brings in or loses the fish, he goes to the end of the line and number two is up. I don't assign one rod to each person as there is always the one hot rod that catches all the fish.

My Charter Listings

Excellent
4.8 / 5
(62 reviews)
Juneau
Trips from US $950
Excellent
4.8 / 5
(80 reviews)
Juneau
Trips from US $950

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.8 / 5
out of 5 stars from 142 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (78)
Awesome, Capt Juan and Corvin
Great 4 hour Salmon fishing trip
Great 4 hour Salmon fishing trip
+75
Angler rating
119
14
1
3
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
93%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
94%
Appropriate for children
91%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
89%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 142 reviews
William H.

The captain canceled

VERIFIED   NEW  August 9, 2024
The charter operator canceled on trip date. This is an automated posting.
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

Kelly M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Experience!

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip โ€“ Salmon-Halibut on June 15, 2024
Captain John and Anna were wonderful. They made my family feel comfortable and at home. We were able to catch our limit in...
Kelly M. recommends Big Jimโ€™s Charters
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
  Mike Bonfils Captain replied

Robert C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Rescheduled trip!

VERIFIED   NEW  Full Day Trip โ€“ Halibut and Salmon on August 19, 2024
We had to cancel the day originally scheduled due to boat mechanical problems. Went the following day with a different boat,...
Robert C. recommends Big Jimโ€™s Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Mike Bonfils Captain replied

Craig M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great trip! Amazing crew.

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip - Halibut & Salmon on July 28, 2024
We went on a 6 hour combo trip. We caught our limit of Halibut in less than an hour. On our way to salmon hunt we saw 10 whales...
Craig M. recommends Hi Time Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Mike Bonfils Captain replied

Charlie W.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great trip!

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip โ€“ Salmon only Fishing on July 24, 2024
Deckhand (Anna) and Capt (John) were knowledgeable. Deckhand was great, friendly and engaging. It was myself, wife, sister...
Charlie W. recommends Big Jimโ€™s Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Mike Bonfils Captain replied