We're planning a November Kodiak Island Blacktail hunt. Has anyone had any experience with Alaska Coastal Marine's boat based (MV Spirit) operations? Thanks,

sorry can't be of any help

but keep ups posted of your success on kodiak, this hunt is of high interest to me, hope to do it in the next few years or so.

I get up there every few years, (I have a good friend there) we mostly fish, but we have hunted a couple of times, hunt from a boat, not much of a thrill, we never brought any back, a lot of deer, on the small side (black-tail) but there are some nice bucks if you wait it out. The weather is your worst enemy, at the drop of a hat it can get "Brutal". sometimes you can spend a week and never get on the water. (plane either), not much to do in Kodak, If it were not for my friend it is the last place I would go to deer hunt. Bear now that is another thing, but real tough to get a permit. Don't mean to knock Kodak., if you have a lot of $$ it is great!! if not, well----jmop Doc

DocD, hey, that's an awesome answer. Helpful, encouraging, enthusiastic & truly insightful. Thanks so much! Sound's like I probably won't be running into you out on Kodiak. Oh, by the way. What's really cool is that I do have a lot of $$.

WoW!! sure didn't mean to upset anyone, just stating my opinion, If you have a lot of $$ go and enjoy. I would make it a combo trip (Hunting/fishing) I have spent a good deal of time on Kodak, and this is just my opinion but it is about the most depressing place I have ever been, If you hit the weather right the fishing is GREAT, I would recommend making reservations for a charter in advance, there is some great fishing from shore, if you get out of town, it is not crowed you are on your own. (few people venture far from Kodak. be on the look- out for bear, (Never had an encounter, but keep a look out)!! I hope you submit a report when you get back, (please be honest for the next person going, as we all don't have a lot of money) Again sorry I upset you, I hope you have a Great time!!! Doc

Don't worry about it Doc.

He's got lots of money.

Doc was honest with you, you asked for "experience" and he gave it to you. Just cause you didn't like what you hear isn't Doc's fault. Looking forward to hearing how this hunt goes! Good luck!
-Jake

Thanks all. What I had been hoping for was some genuinely, experienced useful information. If I had wanted a ration of bitchy high school girl criticism I'd hang out on facebook with my teenage daughters. Keep huntin' that forum guys.

you might want to check out Larsen bay. (maybe spelled larson). Its on the back side of Kodiak island, about 40 minute flight from Kodiak. I have heard good things about the lodge there, and the hunting. I was there in March for work got stuck waiting a few days for parts. When the tide was out in the mornings we would glass deer on the beach. there seems to be a large population of deer there, and might be less hunters that around the city of Kodiak itself. And good fishing there too. the above posts are correct about weather, I go to Kodiak a few times a year for work and the weather can be nasty, but don't let that stop you, still and awesome place.

You got help, and threw it back in Doc's face.

It's you who's acting like a bitchy school girl.

But hey! You've got lots of money. So, you're special.