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If you're considering hiring Alaska fishing guides to enhance your Alaskan fishing trip adventure, you've already made a great decision. Charters and guides typically know the waters, fish migrations and great strategies to ensure you'll come home with a trophy-sized catch.

But, like any business, there are good guides and bad ones. So, how do you know the difference? How do you find a great fishing guide or charter company? Should you go with a group expedition or book privately? For hints and tips on how to choose an Alaskan fishing guide, keep reading.

References Should Be Evaluated

Before you lay down a few grand for a private, multi-day fishing charter in Alaska, always check their references from previous clients. Ask for a phone number or email so that you can speak with the former client directly. If a company refuses to give you any references, don't be inhibited about walking away.

In lieu of - or in addition to - checking client references, try making a quick phone call to the company's local tourism office. Because the communities in Alaska are still small, the office should both know and be able to recommend the company's services. If they don't, they may have alternate recommendations for Alaska fishing guides.

Investigate Qualifications of the Crew

Always check whether a crew has its full licenses and certifications. You can do this when you arrive or ask your guide to fax this information to you. Ideally, you want to book a charter or guide company which employs a crew that's not only experienced, but has a background in Alaskan waters.

Look for Local Experience

Ideally, your Alaska fishing guide or tour operator should either be an Alaskan native or have extensive working experience and history in the area. You want a guide that knows the waters, knows how to navigate them, can find the fish and lead you to the catch. Otherwise, you could simply rent a boat and go out alone.

A great way to check a guide's success is to ask for their catch track record. How many fish are caught on each trip? What are the average weights? What's their overall success rate? Remember to ask about their safety record too.

Find Out What Is and Isn't Included

Many Alaska fishing guides will include extra perks like lunches, fish processing and freezing, equipment, licenses, bait and tackle. However, some won't - so, it's important to find out what's included and what's not before you book.