Alaskan Charter Fishing Boat Captains

Josh Cozby
Owner of Black Rock Charters
Captain of the "Quicksilver"

What is your Fishing Experience…
I grew up fishing the rivers of Oregon and Alaska, at the age of 15 I got a job as a deck hand on a charter boat out of Gustavus.  I did that for three years until I was old enough to apply for my captain’s license with the coast guard.  I then worked for Glacier Bay Lodge for one season as a charter boat captain.  The following season I was recruited by Fairweather adventures out of Gustavus, I worked for them for five years.  Finally, my dream was fulfilled in 1999 when I founded Black Rock Charters; I have been successfully running it ever since.   I have over 19 years of experience fishing the waters in and around Glacier Bay and Gustavus, Alaska.

Areas you have fished besides Gustavus, Alaska?
I have fished the rivers of Oregon, and also worked on a charter boat out of the Islamorada in the Florida Keys.

Work Experience both fishing and other?
Besides fishing…I have also worked as a line cook, a server in a restaurant, a cocktail server in a bar, pipe layer for a construction company, laborer with a large landscaping company, laborer for my dad’s tree pruning company, maintenance staff at Gustavus school, and Chevron.  I have also done commercial halibut fishing, crabbing, and salmon trolling!

Why are you a boat captain in Alaska?
I grew up fishing and I love to meet new people and take them fishing.  It’s the best job I could ask for!

Why don't you quit and become a commercial crab fisherman in Alaska?
I have done that before.  I like it a lot actually, but owning my own charter company is even better.

What is your favorite movie?
Lord of the Rings series

What is your favorite quote? 
“That’s a Dandy”

What is the largest fish caught on your boat?
The largest one killed was 88 inches… 375 lbs.  The largest one released was estimated around 90 to 92 inches and over 400 lbs.

Besides fishing in Alaska, where is your favorite place in the world to fish?
I have a lot of places I would love to fish.  I would love to go to Australia and fish for Black Marlin sometime in my life.

What fish are you yet to catch that you want to catch?
I want to catch a world record Halibut! I also want to catch a black marlin.

Favorite city in the world?
Chicago! (Josh is a Chicago Bears fan)

What is your favorite fishing technique?
There are many ways I like to fish, but casting for fish is the best.  I also love slow trolling with straight baits along the shore line for King Salmon. 

Why did you become a fishing boat captain?
 It was something I had a passion for and saw that I could be really good at.

What is your favorite place in Gustavus, Alaska?
I like all of it, but I love the outer coast. It is so beautiful and rugged out there.

If you were only in Gustavus for a week, besides fishing what would you recommend?
You have got to go see the glaciers a flight seeing trip after dinner while the sun is low on the horizon is an awesome experience.

What is the coolest thing you have seen from a Black Rock Charters boat?
I saw a frenzy of salmon sharks on the outer coast.  During the frenzy a salmon jumped out of the water and right behind it was a 7 ft. salmon shark; the shark jumped completely out of the water with its mouth wide open chasing the salmon.  It was Awesome!

Strangest tourist question you have ever heard?
While fishing, on the ocean, I have had several people ask “What is our elevation”?  It is always strange to respond with “About 1.5 feet, but if you go to the bow it is about 5 feet.”

What is the best part about being a fishing boat captain?  
Being on the water everyday, catching fish, and meeting new people, most of all helping them catch all the variety of fish that Alaska has to offer!

What is your golf handicap?  What about on the Gustavus course?  
Handicap is probably about a 20, and on the Gustavus course, its actually a little better. 
Then again, it is my home course, the #9 hole is my backyard.

Where do you live in the winter?  
I have lived in several places, Ft. Lauderdale, FL.  San Diego, CA. Spent some time in Utah, and the rest of the time I am usually in Portland, OR.

Nick Popov
Captain of the "Striker"

What is your Fishing Experience
I have been running fishing boats in Oregon and Washington since the age of 12. I own a fishing company in Oregon called Peel The Reel guide service. The fish I target are Salmon, Steelhead, and Sturgeon on Oregon’s most pristine river, bays, and streams. I gave up my summer fishing in Oregon to come fulfill my dream of fishing in Alaska. This will be my third, of many seasons to come, in Gustavus working for Black Rock Charters.

Areas you have fished besides Gustavus, Alaska
I have owned my owned my own guide service in Oregon for eight years. This is where I have done the majority of my fishing. I have also been known to take the boat up to some of the local Washington Rivers. The rivers I focus on the most are the Wilson River, Trask River, Kilchis River, Nesstucca River, The mighty Columbia River and all of the surrounding bays and estuaries.

Work Experience both fishing and other
When I am not fishing for my company or Black Rock Charters I am know as ‘cell phone salesman’. I have done everything from waiting tables to customer service positions. Where I belong is on the water getting the lines wet waiting for the next hook up.

Why are you a boat captain in Alaska
I became a boat captain in Alaska cause it has always been a childhood dream for me and when the opportunity came up I jumped all over it. I enjoy working with people and sharing my knowledge of fishing and the outdoors with people who enjoy my same passions.

Why don't you quit and become a commercial crab fisherman in Alaska?
I like to crab and eat it as well. Except I was born to have a rod and reel in my hand. So that’s why I just can’t follow the commercial gig, even though the money is better.

What is your favorite movie
Top Gun

What is your favorite quote
“BIG BITE”

What is the largest fish caught on your boat
86 ½ inches 340 lbs Alaskan Halibut

Besides fishing in Alaska, where is your favorite place in the world to fish
My honest choice would either be Alaska or Oregon, if I had to choose another spot it would be Florida.

What fish are you yet to catch that you want to catch
I really enjoy Shark fishing of any kind

Favorite city in the world
Las Vegas

Favorite fishing technique
Back bouncing for salmon

Why did you become a fishing boat captain
Because I wanted to share my experience and techniques with others. And I have always wanted to have a career that I enjoy.

What is your favorite place in Gustavus, Alaska
The Glacier cut on an ebb tide; shhhh do not tell anyone

If you were only in Gustavus for a week, besides fishing what would you recommend?
I would highly suggest taking the Glacier Cruise, and eat at Homeshore Café..

Coolest thing you have seen from a Black Rock Charters boat
The coolest thing I have seen was when we hooked a black bass, and then suddenly the rod just got really heavy. When we finally got the fish up it up it was a giant ling cod clamped on to the bass.

Strangest tourist question you have ever heard?
How many eyes do halibut have

Best part about being a fishing boat captain
For me it is something new every day. You meet great people and are out on the water, for me it is doing what I love to do.

What is your golf handicap? What about on the Gustavus course?
It once was as low as 4 in high school, in Gustavus it’s a twenty

Where do you live in the winter?
Portland, Oregon