Experience and quality equipment make the difference.
Crackerjack Sportfishing Charters is a small, quality oriented, saltwater guide service. Our boats are all late model, custom built, fiberglass game boats equipped with the finest equipment available anywhere. Our guides are owner/ operators, full time Alaska residents, are IGFA certified and have a minimum of ten years Alaskan fishing experience. While there is always some measure of luck involved in fishing, our experience and state of the art equipment help to stack the deck in your favor for fishing success.
Captain Andy Mezirow
Captain Andy Mezirow is the owner and full time operator of the new Crackerjack Voyager. A lifetime professional mariner, Captain Andy has spent over 25 years working on, studying about, and teaching others about the Ocean. He has been licensed by the Coast Guard as Master of Vessels to 200 Gross Tons, on Any Ocean for 18 years.
Fishing Alaskan waters since 1983, Captain Andy has guided anglers to over 30 IGFA light tackle world records. During the off season, he serves as Regional Representative for the International Game Fish Association and has served on a variety of advisory boards for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. Captain Andy has served on the pro staff and regularly tests new products: Penn Fishing tackle company, Berkley, Mustad, Simrad marine electronics and the Pelagic Gear International Pro team. This association insures that you will be fishing the newest and best fishing tackle available at any price.
In the off-season Captain Andy shares his knowledge of navigation, seamanship and safety by working as an instructor at the Alaska Maritime Training Center. Helping Mariners at all levels, refine and improve their navigational skills. He also spends every moment possible chasing warm water game fish like Tuna and Marlin in Mexico and Latin America.
Captain Nik Ranta
Captain Nik Ranta is the Owner/Operator of the original Crackerjack. With over fifteen years of Kenai Peninsula fishing experience, Captain Nik operated the vessel for many years before taking ownership several years ago. Nik is constantly incorporating new and innovative fishing techniques to insure fun and successful days of fishing. Nik is U.S. Coast Guard licensed Master, and IGFA certified captain. He is a G.Loomis and Simrad Electronics Pro Staff. Nik serves as the President of the Seward Charterboat Association and is active in all aspects of fisheries management. He is an avid angler and outdoorsman, his experience shows in consistently big catches and happy fishermen. Nik is a year round resident of Seward and spends his off season speaking Swedish, building houses,plowing snow, hunting in Alaska and chasing the sun and big tuna in southern latitudes.
Both Andy and Nik advocate catch and release, responsible use of our marine resources and are dedicated to being good stewards of the our bountiful fisheries in Alaska.
Captain Jeff Seward
We are pleased to have most of our crew returning from the last few years. Captain Jeff “Poucher” Seward will be back at the helm of the Crackerjack Mariner. Jeff has proven to be an excellent captain and a master of salmon fishing in the waters of Resurrection Bay. His catch record over the couple of years for both Silver Salmon and the elusive King Salmon has been great. His easy going nature, mastery of local fishing techniques and his uncanny knack of gaffing big fish in the belly or pouch has earned him the nickname of “the poucher“. This fall and winter Jeff worked hard upgrading the Mariner again with a ton of improvements. In the spring he will continue to refine his halibut fishing skills as the chief mate and 2nd captain on the Crackerjack Voyager. As soon as the salmon show up, you will find him at the helm of the Crackerjack Mariner.
