Full Day Homer Halibut and Salmon Charter
Shared Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full-day charter targets Pacific halibut and salmon in Kachemak BayProfessional equipment and expert fish cleaning services included onboardEight-hour shared trip accommodates all experience levels seasonally
Get ready for eight solid hours of fishing Alaska's most productive waters with Big Butt Charters. This shared charter kicks off at 6:30 AM sharp from Homer's famous Spit, targeting the legendary combo that brings anglers from around the world - Pacific Halibut and Salmon. You'll work the rich waters of Kachemak Bay and Cook Inlet, where the fishing is consistently strong from May through September. Whether you're brand new to saltwater fishing or you've been chasing fish for decades, this trip delivers the goods with professional gear, expert guidance, and fish cleaning services that'll have you taking home restaurant-quality fillets.
Your day starts early at the Homer harbor, where you'll meet your captain and get the rundown on what's biting and where we're headed. The boat heads out into Kachemak Bay, one of Alaska's most reliable fishing grounds, where glacial runoff meets tidal currents to create perfect feeding conditions. You'll spend the morning hours working different depths and structures, switching between techniques as conditions and fish activity dictate. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on fish whether they're holding deep or running shallow. Expect to cover serious ground as we chase schools and work productive spots that have been producing for years. The scenery is jaw-dropping, but once lines are in the water, your focus shifts to feeling for that telltale bite that means dinner is on.
This charter runs a combination approach that maximizes your chances on multiple species. We'll troll for salmon using downriggers and flasher-dodger setups, working the depths where kings and silvers cruise the bay looking for baitfish. The captain provides all the tackle - heavy-duty rods that can handle big halibut, quality reels with smooth drags, and terminal gear that's proven effective in these waters. When we're targeting halibut, we switch to bottom fishing with circle hooks and heavy sinkers, dropping baits down to where these flatfish feed along the seafloor. You'll learn to feel the difference between a halibut pickup and bottom contact, and how to work a fish up from 200 feet of water without losing it. The gear is built for Alaska conditions - no light tackle here that'll fail when you hook into a barn door halibut or a chrome-bright king salmon.
Pacific Halibut are the main attraction here, and for good reason. These flatfish can reach massive sizes in Alaska waters, with fish over 100 pounds caught regularly in Cook Inlet. They're bottom dwellers that feed on everything from cod to octopus, and they fight like freight trains once hooked. The best halibut fishing runs from June through August when they move into shallower waters to feed. What makes halibut so exciting is you never know what you're dealing with until you see it - that steady pull could be a nice eating-sized fish or a monster that takes 20 minutes to bring up. Chinook Salmon, also called King Salmon, are the prize catch for many anglers. These fish average 15-30 pounds but can push 40-50 pounds in these waters. They're available from May through July, with peak fishing in June. Kings fight hard with long runs and aerial displays, and their rich, red meat is considered the best eating of all Pacific salmon species.
Vermilion Rockfish add variety to your catch and are excellent table fare with firm, white meat. They hang around rocky structure and kelp beds, usually in schools, so when you find one, there are usually more. Black Rockfish and Yellowtail Rockfish round out the rockfish species you might encounter, both excellent fighters that provide steady action when salmon and halibut fishing slows down. These fish are available throughout the season and provide great sport on lighter tackle, though we'll keep you on the heavy gear in case a big halibut decides to grab your bait.
This shared charter fills up fast during peak season, especially the weekend trips when the fishing is prime. You're getting eight hours on the water with a captain who knows where the fish are, all the gear you need, and professional fish cleaning that'll have your catch ready for the freezer or the grill. Remember to bring your Alaska fishing license and King Salmon stamp - you can get these online or at local tackle shops. Pack snacks and drinks for the day, dress in layers, and bring a cooler if you want to take fish with you. The boat returns around 2:30 PM, giving you time to enjoy fresh fish for dinner or get your catch processed for travel. Homer is known as the Halibut Fishing Capital of the World for a reason, and this trip puts you right in the middle of the action. Don't wait until you get here to book - secure your spot now and get ready for some of the best fishing Alaska has to offer.
Step aboard our 29-foot Raider sport fisher and experience Alaska's legendary halibut and salmon fishing in Kachemak Bay. Twin 300 HP Yamahas get you to the productive fishing grounds quickly, while our GPS, radar, and fish finder help locate where the big ones are biting. The boat comfortably handles up to 6 anglers with professional downriggers for salmon trolling and bottom fishing setups for those barn door halibut. Whether you're dropping lines for the first time or you're a seasoned Alaska angler, our captain knows these waters and will put you on fish. All rods, reels, and tackle are provided, plus we'll clean and fillet your catch at the dock. Just bring your Alaska license, King Salmon stamp, snacks, and drinks for this full-day adventure departing Homer at 6:30 AM. The onboard facilities include a flushing toilet, so you can focus on landing that trophy fish without worrying about comfort during the 8-hour trip.
Sebastes MelanopsBlack rockfish are aggressive feeders that make for steady action on our bottom fishing. These dark gray to black fish typically run 4-5 pounds and up to two feet long, with bass-like bodies and large mouths perfect for inhaling bait. They hang around rocky reefs, jetties, and rough current areas from shallow water down to 1,200 feet. Summer fishing is prime when they're actively feeding and moving in schools. They're not picky - herring, anchovies, or jigs all work well. The white meat is tasty and firm. What guests love is their willingness to bite and the steady action they provide. Watch those spiny fins - they pack a venomous punch that hurts. One tip: use medium tackle with sensitive tips and get your bait down quickly. These guys will hit almost anything, but they live on the bottom.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKings are the heavyweight champions of salmon, and Alaska's waters produce some true giants. We regularly see fish from 12-39 inches weighing 15-30 pounds, with some monsters pushing even bigger. These silver-sided fighters with their black-spotted backs and distinctive black mouths are what dreams are made of. They prefer deeper, cooler water and are most active during early morning and evening hours when we're out there trolling. The reddish-pink meat is premium eating - rich and flaky. Kings fight hard and make long runs that'll test your arms. Our May through September season hits them perfectly as they move through Cook Inlet. Pro tip: since they're light-sensitive and stay deep, we use weighted setups and herring for bait. The key is getting down to where they're cruising.
Hippoglossus StenolepisPacific halibut are the barn doors of Alaska fishing - these diamond-shaped flatfish can reach massive proportions. While our average catch runs 20-40 pounds, hitting 100-pounders isn't uncommon, and some grow to 500 pounds. These bottom-dwellers live in 150-500 feet of water along continental shelves, preferring cold temperatures around 40 degrees. Summer is prime time when they move into shallower feeding areas and become aggressive. The fight is pure power - they'll peel line and test your back muscles. The white, flaky meat is some of the best eating in the ocean. We target them with heavy tackle and 1-2 pound weights to get baits down. Local secret: use salmon heads or herring, and bounce your rod tip every few minutes. Halibut like to ambush prey from below, so that movement triggers strikes.
Sebastes MiniatusThese bright red beauties with their distinctive black-edged fins are a solid catch around rocky bottoms from 100-500 feet deep. Most run 14-22 inches and weigh up to 15 pounds, though we've seen some push 30 inches. They're not picky eaters - small fish, squid, and krill keep them happy. What makes them special is they can live nearly 100 years and often stick to the same home territory for decades. The meat is excellent table fare with a firm, white texture. During our summer season, they're active and aggressive on the bite. Here's a local trick: when fishing deep water, use a two-hook rig with squid strips and keep your bait moving slightly - vermilion rockfish like a little action to trigger their strike response.
Sebastes FlavidusYellowtail rockfish are easily spotted by their bright yellow tail fins and greenish-brown bodies that fade to white underneath. They typically run 11-13 inches, though we occasionally boat some pushing 25 inches. Unlike most rockfish, these guys can handle pressure changes well, so they come up healthy. You'll find them schooling over rocky structure anywhere from shallow water down to 1,800 feet, but we usually target them in 100-300 feet around Kachemak Bay. They're day feeders that go after small crustaceans and bait fish. The meat is mild, sweet, and flaky - great eating. Summer months are prime time when they're active and feeding aggressively. Simple tip that works: use a 30-foot leader with a float above your top hook and bounce it near the bottom - they like that movement.
undefined, undefined