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Lodge Charter Boat Captain (Remote Kodiak Island)
Kodiak Raspberry Island Remote Lodge, INC
Iron Creek, Raspberry Island
compensation:
$425/day plus end of season bonus plus tips. Room and board included.
employment type:
full-time
experience level:
mid level
job title:
Lodge Charter Boat Captain
QR Code Link to This Post
6 days per week | May 20 – September 26, 2026
This is not an entry-level captain position. To apply, you must have either:
• At least 1 full season captaining a sport-fishing charter boat in Alaska, or
• At least 2 seasons deckhanding on an Alaska sport-fishing charter boat
Captains arrive about one week before our first guests to get dialed in—learning the boats, gear, and area, and helping with preseason outfitting, maintenance, and prep.
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What Makes a Great Captain Here
The ideal Boat Captain at Kodiak Raspberry Island Remote Lodge wears three hats, and wears them well:
🛥️ 1. You’re a Mariner
You’re comfortable and confident on the water. Seamanship is second nature. You understand:
• Boat handling and safety
• Weather, tides, currents, and navigation
• Electronics, charts, and situational awareness
• Basic maintenance and troubleshooting
• Knots (and why they matter)
You’re always aware of your boat, your surroundings, and your people—without needing to think about it.
🎣 2. You’re a Fishing Guide
You know fish, gear, and technique—and how to teach it without talking down to people.
Our fisheries include:
• Halibut (circle hooks, lead-head jigs)
• Salmon (trolling and downriggers)
• Stream fishing (fly and spinning rods)
You understand tides, behavior, scent, presentation, tackle, and timing—and you enjoy helping guests learn along the way.
😄 3. You’re an Entertainer
Not every day is a limit-out, and that’s okay.
You’re upbeat, positive, and engaging—someone who can bridge the gap between expectations and reality while keeping morale high. Whether the fish are biting or not, guests should feel like they’re having a great day.
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Day-to-Day Responsibilities
On the Water
• Captain the vessel with safety and guest comfort always first
• Operate a 39’ hydrofoil-assist catamaran cruising at ~30 knots
• Use TimeZero, Optimus steering, hydraulic systems (anchor winch, pot puller, etc.)
• Create a fun, professional atmosphere while working toward guest goals—whether that’s catching fish, spotting wildlife, or learning about the area
• Educate guests on local wildlife, fishing techniques, and the ecosystem as appropriate
Fish & Gear
• Ethically harvest and carefully handle all fish
• Dispatch, bleed, rinse, and prep fish properly
• Fillet your boat’s catch professionally at day’s end (guests usually watch)
• Maintain fishing gear, tackle, and onboard systems
• Keep boat and equipment clean, organized, and ready—sometimes after hours if needed
Logistics & Support
• Load lunches, drinks, bait, and supplies each morning
• Complete logs and inspections before guests board
• Occasionally run to town mid-week or at trip’s end:
• Drop off or pick up guests
• Fuel and resupply the vessel
• Run lodge errands or transport guests using our van
• Assist with pre- and post-season maintenance, cleaning, painting, and gear work
You’ll also help with other duties as assigned—this is lodge life, and flexibility matters.
⸻
What a Typical Day Looks Like
• 8:00am – After breakfast, review weather and tides, build a loose plan
• Factor in guest goals: halibut, kings, whales, or all of the above
• Load lunches, inspect the boat, prep gear
• 8:30am – Guests board
• The day unfolds based on opportunity, comfort, and conditions
• Fish are handled carefully and legally at all times
• Fuel use and wear-and-tear are part of every decision
• 5:30pm – Return to the lodge
• Help guests unload, then offload lunches and fish
• Clean and secure the boat
• Fillet fish on the beach
• Perform any needed maintenance so the boat is ready for tomorrow
We employ one rotating deckhand who assists with guiding, cleanup, entertaining guests, and filleting. As Captain, you’re responsible for using that help effectively.
⸻
Physical & Lifestyle Expectations
This is a hands-on, physical job. You must be able to:
• Lift and move heavy luggage and supplies
• Handle 50-lb fish boxes and large fish
• Work outdoors in real Alaska conditions
Flexibility is essential. Weather, guests, equipment, and logistics can (and will) change plans.
If you’re unsure whether this fits you—we welcome questions.
⸻
Required Licenses & Certifications (Before Arrival)
• USCG OUPV or Master’s License
• Valid driver’s license
• First Aid & CPR
• redcross.org or firstaidweb.com
• Alaska fishing license
• admin.adfg.state.ak.us/license
• Enrollment in a Random Drug Testing Program
• DrugFreeVessel.com
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Required Personal Gear
• Knee-high rubber boots
• Quality rain gear (jacket & pants)
• Chest waders
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Skills You Should Already Have
• Solid knowledge of common marine and fishing knots
• Familiarity with:
• Halibut jigging & bait fishing
• Lingcod jigging
• Salmon trolling, mooching, spin & fly fishing
• Crab pot setting and retrieval
• Comfort using modern navigation systems:
• GPS, depth sounder, radar, VHF
• TimeZero bathymetric software
• Basic marine mechanics, hydraulics, wiring, and outboard systems
⸻
Compensation & Benefits
• $425/day, 6 days per week
• Paid monthly, plus final pay within two weeks of season end
• $1,000 end-of-season bonus (see notes below)
Housing
• Private room in team cabin triplex
• Private bathroom, shower, flush toilet
• Separate entry
Meals
• Breakfast & dinner provided (same food our guests enjoy)
• Sack lunches provided on workdays
• On days off, prepare your own lunch from available food
• Please clean up after yourself—teamwork matters
Tips
• Lodge tips are split evenly among staff
• 100% of any direct tip goes to you
• Birch and Tiffany do not participate in the tip pool
Bonus Notes
• $250 of the bonus acts as a refundable security deposit
• Tardiness is not tolerated—two late arrivals means termination
• Damage or loss of lodge property may be deducted from bonus or pay
Transportation
• Round-trip transport between Kodiak and the lodge is provided if you arrive on our recommended dates
• If you quit or are terminated, return transport to Kodiak is at your expense
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Important Notes
• Please do not request a raise mid-season
• Alaska is an at-will employment state
• We may discuss future compensation if rehiring for another season
⸻
Time Off on Raspberry Island
On your days off, this place is yours to enjoy:
• Explore beaches and mountains
• Kayak with the tide (or against it)
• Nap like a champion
• Read, stretch, paint, journal, or breathe
• Hang out with Sadie Sioux (White Lab) and Rambo (Bernedoodle)
• Watch movies, play games, start a Catan match
• Ride our jet skis
• Fish, explore, or just wander
When possible, staff may also fish on lodge boats or join fly-out bear viewing—availability permitting.
⸻
Property Policies
• Non-smoking property (includes vaping and cannabis)
• Alcohol is allowed responsibly for those 21+, outside of duty hours
• USCG captains must comply with all drug-testing requirements
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Final Thoughts
This is a special place.
Your office is the edge of the Pacific.
Your commute is by boat.
Your “break room” is a spruce forest or a quiet beach.
You’ll meet people from all over the world, build connections, sharpen your skills, and live somewhere most people only dream about.
What you get out of this job is largely up to you.
If this sounds like your kind of season, we’d love to hear from you.
— Birch & Tiffany
- Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.