I have done all those things and highly recommend them, except I would trade the barn door halibut for a dozen chicken halibuts. Alaska is as exciting and fun as advertised. Book the same trip next year after the pandemic is over and enjoy yourself. Ride the train from Anchorage to Seward.
Join Ifish, a good fishing chat room centered in Portland but covers the northwest. Also tune in to outdoor GPS, tons of information. Go to a tackle place nearby and ask questions from a good staff member (usually the youngest guy there). Plunking is a good way to get started. Have good rain clothes and boots. Lots of patience; steelhead are called the fish of a thousand casts for good reason.
Very enjoyable article about a Thanksgiving fishing ritual. I have had similar experiences fishing for steelhead on rainy Oregon coastal rivers around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. My success was consistently lower than the gentleman in the article, or my son’s or father in law’s, but the camaraderie was good and the turkey sandwiches with dressing and gravy upon return home were wonderful.
Toss up but I like to catch crappie because of potential for bigger ones. All 3 species are fun to catch but hard to fillet compared to my favorite, which is walleye. Yumm🤪
I would vote for getting bike fixed then peddle bike, pulling kayak with dog in kayak. I get pooped fast walking but can ride my bike for mile or more with no problem.