Full Day Halibut & Rockfish Charter in Homer
Shared Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fullday shared charter targeting halibut, rockfish, and lingcodAll tackle provided with professional fish cleaning includedEighthour trip departing 6:30 AM, returning 2:30 PM
Picture yourself dropping lines into the deep, productive waters of Kachemak Bay at first light, with the Kenai Mountains reflecting off calm seas. This full-day shared charter with Big Butt Charters puts you right in the heart of Alaska's most consistent halibut and rockfish action. We're talking about an 8-hour adventure that starts before sunrise and delivers the kind of fishing that keeps anglers coming back to Homer year after year. Whether you're a seasoned pro or picking up a rod for the first time, this trip is designed to put fish in the boat and memories in your back pocket.
Your day kicks off at 6:30 AM sharp from Homer Harbor, where the crew will have everything rigged and ready to roll. We're heading out into Kachemak Bay's deeper structure where the big halibut hang out, along with some of Alaska's tastiest rockfish species. The boat runs heavy tackle setups that can handle anything from 20-pound lingcod to barn-door halibut that'll test your arms and your patience. Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hand, rotating between productive spots based on tides, weather, and what's been biting lately. Expect to work different depths throughout the day, from 100-foot rockpiles to 200-foot halibut highways where the real giants cruise. The shared format means you'll be fishing alongside other anglers, creating that classic charter boat energy where everyone's rooting for each other's success. All gear is provided, including rods, reels, and terminal tackle, plus the crew handles all the fish cleaning at no extra charge.
This isn't trolling or casting – we're talking serious bottom fishing and jigging techniques that get results in Alaska's offshore waters. The crew rigs heavy sinkers and circle hooks with fresh bait to get your offering down to where the halibut are holding. You'll learn how to feel the bottom, detect subtle bites, and work the rod to keep your bait in the strike zone. Jigging comes into play when targeting rockfish and lingcod around structure, using metal jigs and plastics that mimic the baitfish these predators can't resist. The heavy tackle setup includes rods with enough backbone to winch big fish up from depth, paired with reels that can handle the strain of a 100-pound halibut making its first run. Crew members stay busy re-rigging lines, netting fish, and keeping everyone's gear fishing efficiently. They'll teach you how to pump and wind on bigger fish, when to let the drag work, and how to avoid losing that fish of a lifetime at the boat. Bait and tackle are your responsibility, but the harbor area has everything you need before departure.
Pacific Halibut are the main attraction here, and for good reason. These flatfish are Alaska's ultimate prize, growing to massive sizes in the cold, nutrient-rich waters around Homer. Summer months offer the best action, with fish ranging from 20-pound "chickens" perfect for the dinner table up to 200-plus-pound monsters that'll give you a workout you won't forget. Halibut hit hard and fight harder, using their broad, flat bodies to pull against you all the way to the surface. What makes them special is their incredible table fare – firm, white meat that's considered some of the best eating fish in the ocean.
Vermilion Rockfish bring consistent action and beautiful color to your cooler. These bright red beauties typically run 2-5 pounds and are absolute dynamite on the dinner plate. They school up around rocky structure and hit aggressively, making them perfect for keeping the action steady between halibut bites. Peak season runs through summer and early fall, when they're actively feeding and easiest to locate.
Black Rockfish are the workhorses of Alaska rockfish fishing, offering reliable action and excellent eating. They're typically larger than vermilion rockfish, often hitting the 5-8 pound range, and they fight with surprising strength for their size. These fish are available most of the season and provide consistent action when halibut fishing slows down.
Yellowtail Rockfish add variety to the mix with their distinctive coloring and solid fight. They're often found in deeper water alongside halibut, making them a bonus catch that rounds out a mixed bag. Their firm, flaky meat makes them a favorite among anglers who appreciate quality table fare.
Chinook Salmon occasionally show up as bonus fish, especially during their migration periods. While not the primary target, hooking into a king salmon while bottom fishing creates an exciting change of pace. These powerful fish are built for speed and endurance, offering a completely different fight than the bottom-dwelling species you're primarily targeting.
Homer's reputation as the "Halibut Fishing Capital of the World" isn't just marketing hype – it's earned through consistently productive fishing and professional operations like Big Butt Charters. This full-day shared trip offers serious value with professional fish cleaning included, all gear provided, and access to some of Alaska's most productive fishing grounds. The 8-hour format gives you enough time to work different areas and species without rushing, while the 2:30 PM return gets you back to shore with time to enjoy your fresh catch. Remember to grab your Alaska fishing license, pack some lunch and drinks, and bring layers for changing weather conditions. With limited capacity, these spots fill up fast during peak season, so don't wait to secure your date on the water.
Your fishing platform for this Homer halibut adventure is a well-built 29' Raider sport fisher that gets you to the productive waters fast with twin 300 HP Yamahas. This boat handles Kachemak Bay's conditions with confidence, equipped with GPS navigation, radar for those foggy mornings, and fish finder technology to locate where the halibut are holding. The vessel comfortably fishes 6 anglers with plenty of deck space for working big fish, plus downriggers for precise bait presentation at depth. Modern amenities include a flushing toilet for the long day on the water. The boat's design focuses on fishing efficiency - stable enough for bottom fishing in deeper waters while fast enough to move between productive rockfish and lingcod spots. With professional-grade tackle provided and fish cleaning services included, this setup lets you focus on hooking into Alaska's legendary halibut rather than worrying about gear.
Sebastes MelanopsBlack rockfish are scrappy fighters that show up consistently around rocky structure and jetties throughout our fishing grounds. These dark gray to almost black fish average 12-18 inches and have a bass-like shape with spiny fins. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit just about anything - jigs, cut bait, or live anchovies. What guests appreciate is how willing they are to bite and their decent fight for the size. The meat is solid white and flakes nicely on the plate. They hang around shallow rocky areas but will move deeper to 300+ feet depending on conditions. Be careful of the venomous spines - they won't kill you but they sure hurt. One thing I always tell folks: black rockfish are prone to barotrauma, so their eyes may bulge when you bring them up. That's normal, and they're still perfectly good eating when handled properly.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKings are the giants of the salmon world, and what a fight they put up. Around here, most run 12-20 pounds, but we see plenty in the 30+ range during good years. These silver-sided bruisers with black-spotted fins prefer deeper, colder water and tend to stay low in the water column. Early morning and evening are prime time when they're most active. What guests love most is the incredible table quality - that rich, orange-red meat is unbeatable. The fight is something else too, with long runs and head shakes that'll test your arms. Pro tip: when we're targeting kings, keep your bait or lure swimming naturally in the current. They're light-sensitive, so they'll often hold deeper during bright days. Let the current do the work rather than jerking the rod around.
Hippoglossus StenolepisPacific halibut are the main event on most of our trips - these flatfish are absolute giants that can reach 200+ pounds, though most guests land fish in the 20-50 pound range. They're bottom huggers living on sandy and muddy bottoms between 150-500 feet deep, where they ambush prey like cod, salmon, and crabs. Summer is prime time when they move to shallower feeding areas and become more active. What makes halibut special is the pure power - they'll peel drag and give you a workout you won't forget. Plus, there's no better eating fish in Alaska. The key to success is heavy weights to get down fast and keeping your bait moving slightly to trigger strikes. My go-to tip: once you feel bottom, lift your rod tip about two feet and hold it there. This keeps your bait just off the mud where hungry halibut can spot it easily.
Sebastes MiniatusThese bright red beauties with their distinctive black mottling are a favorite among our guests. Running 14-22 inches on average, they hang around rocky bottoms between 100-500 feet deep where we do most of our bottom fishing. What makes vermilions special is their scaled lower jaw - helps tell them apart from yelloweye rockfish. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit squid strips and small jigs readily. Best part? They make excellent table fare with firm white meat. Here's a local tip: when you're fishing deep structure, add a small strip of squid to your jig even if you think you don't need bait. These fish are visual hunters and that extra flash of white really gets their attention, especially when they're holding tight to the rocks.
Sebastes FlavidusYellowtails are one of our most reliable rockfish, schooling up over rocky structure and giving steady action throughout the day. They're greenish-brown on top with that signature yellow tail, running 11-15 inches typically. What's neat about these fish is they don't get barotrauma like other rockfish - they can release gas from their swim bladders, so they handle the trip to the surface just fine. They school heavily around boulders and rock walls from 50 feet down to several hundred feet. The meat is flaky with a mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat. They're active during daylight hours and hit jigs and bait equally well. Here's something I've learned over the years: use a non-compressible float above your top hook. It helps keep your bait in the strike zone where these schooling fish are feeding.
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