Full Day Multi-Species Fishing in Homer
Shared Trip
Offshore Fishing
10hour multispecies trip targets halibut, salmon, and rockfishProfessional gear and fish cleaning services included onboardSeasonal availability from May through September in Homer
If you're looking to maximize your time on Kachemak Bay and target the best of Alaska's fishery, this full-day charter with Big Butt Charters is your ticket to a memorable day on the water. Starting at dawn and running a full 10 hours, this trip gives you serious time to work multiple species and put together a cooler full of prime Alaska fish. Homer's positioned perfectly where the deep halibut grounds meet productive salmon runs and rockfish structure, making it one of Alaska's top-rated multi-species destinations. You'll fish with professional-grade gear and learn techniques that'll serve you well whether this is your first time dropping a line in Alaska or you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in your approach.
Your day kicks off at 6:30 AM sharp from Homer's harbor, which means you'll beat most of the fleet to the good spots and have prime fishing conditions before afternoon weather rolls in. The extended 10-hour format isn't just about more fishing time – it's about fishing smarter. Early morning often produces the best halibut bite on the deeper structure, while salmon fishing can fire up later as baitfish move through the area. Your captain will read conditions and adjust the game plan accordingly, maybe starting deep for halibut before working shallower rockfish structure or trolling productive salmon zones. The boat's equipped with quality rods, reels, and tackle specific to each target species, so you're not dealing with compromise gear. Plus, they'll handle all the fish cleaning and filleting at the end of the day, which is a huge bonus when you're looking at processing multiple species. Just bring your Alaska fishing license with the appropriate stamps, some snacks and drinks for the long day, and they'll cover the rest.
Multi-species fishing in Homer waters means adapting your approach throughout the day as you target different fish in various depths and structure types. For halibut, you'll be working the bottom with heavy jigs and circle hooks, often in 150-300 feet of water where these flatfish cruise the muddy bottom looking for herring and other baitfish. The technique involves dropping your jig to the seafloor, reeling up a few cranks, then working it with subtle lifts and drops – halibut often hit on the drop, so you need to stay connected to feel that subtle weight. Salmon fishing shifts the approach entirely, typically involving trolling with downriggers or mooching with herring in the upper water column. You'll cover more water and watch for bird activity or bait schools that indicate feeding fish. Rockfish require yet another technique, usually jigging or fishing bait around rocky structure and kelp beds where these colorful bottom dwellers congregate. The captain will coach you through each transition, adjusting tackle weight, bait presentation, and fishing depth as you move between target species throughout the day.
Pacific Halibut remain the crown jewel of Homer fishing, and these bottom-dwelling giants can range from keeper-sized "chickens" around 30-40 pounds up to true barn doors pushing 100 pounds or more. Halibut are most active during the early morning and evening hours, making them perfect targets for the start and end of your long day. What makes halibut fishing so exciting isn't just their size – it's the fight and the anticipation. You might think you're hung up on bottom until that fish decides to move, then you're in for a serious battle that can last 20 minutes or more on heavy fish. Chinook Salmon, locally called Kings, are the prize salmon species in these waters, with mature fish averaging 15-30 pounds and occasional monsters exceeding 40 pounds. Kings typically run deeper than other salmon species and prefer larger baits, making them a perfect complement to halibut fishing techniques. The best King fishing usually happens from mid-May through July, with fish staging in the deeper waters of Kachemak Bay before heading to spawning streams.
The rockfish species – Vermilion, Yellowtail, and Black Rockfish – add both variety and steady action to your day. These fish live around structure and kelp beds, often feeding in schools that can provide fast action once you locate them. Vermilion Rockfish are the most prized for their bright red coloration and excellent table fare, typically running 2-5 pounds and fighting with surprising strength for their size. Black Rockfish tend to be more aggressive and will often hit jigs or bait as soon as it reaches their depth, making them great confidence builders when other species are being finicky. Yellowtail Rockfish often school in deeper water and can provide consistent action when halibut fishing slows down. All rockfish species are excellent eating and perfect for completing a diverse fish box that showcases the variety of Alaska's marine fishery.
This full-day multi-species trip represents serious value for anglers who want to experience the best of what Homer's waters offer in a single outing. With 10 hours on the water, professional equipment, expert guidance, and complimentary fish processing, you're getting everything needed for a world-class Alaska fishing experience. The seasonal window from May through September means you can align your trip with peak fishing for your preferred species, whether that's early season halibut, summer salmon runs, or late season rockfish action. Single-guest capacity ensures personalized attention and the flexibility to adjust techniques based on your skill level and interests. Book your spot with Big Butt Charters and get ready for a day that'll remind you why Alaska fishing has such a legendary reputation among anglers worldwide.
Our 29-foot Raider sport fisher cuts through Alaskan waters with serious power from twin 300 HP Yamahas, getting you to the productive fishing grounds fast. This boat handles Homer's offshore conditions with confidence while you target halibut, salmon, and rockfish during your 10-hour adventure. The setup includes GPS navigation and fish finder technology to locate the best action, plus radar for those foggy Alaska mornings. Downriggers help get your lines to the right depth for big halibut, while the spacious cockpit gives you room to fight those trophy fish. With professional-grade rods and tackle provided, plus a flushing toilet onboard, you'll stay comfortable during the long day chasing multiple species. The boat accommodates up to 6 anglers, so you'll have plenty of space to work the water without crowding. Built for Alaska's demanding offshore environment, this vessel delivers reliable performance from the Homer harbor to the deep water fishing zones.
Sebastes MelanopsBlack rockfish are scrappy fighters that average 4-5 pounds and run up to two feet long. These dark gray to black fish (they get lighter with age) love rocky reefs, jetties, and rough current areas from shallow water down to 1,200 feet. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit almost anything you put down there - herring, small fish, crabs, whatever's available. Guests like them because they're not picky eaters and fight hard for their size, plus the meat is solid table fare. They school with other rockfish species, so when you find one, there's usually more around. Watch out for their venomous spines - they won't kill you but they'll hurt. My advice: use jigs on rocky structure and don't be afraid to bounce bottom - these guys aren't shy about grabbing a meal.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweight champions of our waters, averaging 15-30 pounds with some real monsters pushing 40-plus. These silver-sided beauties with black-spotted fins put up legendary fights that'll test your arms and make memories. They're sensitive to light, so they stay deep during bright days, which is perfect for our bottom fishing techniques. Peak season runs May through early September when they're feeding heavy before their spawning runs. The meat is rich, orange-pink, and absolutely premium eating. Since they hug the bottom in deeper water, we use downriggers and weighted setups. Pro tip: early morning and evening bites are strongest, and when trolling, vary your speed - kings like a lure that moves like wounded baitfish.
Hippoglossus StenolepisPacific halibut are the main event - these massive flatfish can hit 100+ pounds regularly, with our average running 20-40 pounds. They're bottom huggers living in 150-500 feet over sand and mud, waiting to ambush prey. Summer months are prime time when they move into shallower feeding areas and get aggressive on salmon, cod, and crabs. The fight is pure power - no jumps, just steady pulling that'll work your back. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in Alaska - firm, white, flaky meat that's perfect for any recipe. They hunt by sight in shallow water but rely on scent when deep. Here's the key: once your weight hits bottom, lift your rod tip every few seconds to make your bait dance - halibut love movement and will often follow before striking.
Sebastes MiniatusThese bright red beauties with their black-mottled backs are solid fighters that run 14-22 inches and up to 15 pounds. You'll find them hugging rocky bottoms between 100-500 feet, though we've pulled them from 900 feet on occasion. They're active feeders on small fish, squid, and krill, making them pretty reliable targets throughout our season. What guests love is their excellent table fare and the fact they don't get beat up by pressure changes like other rockfish. One tip: when you're fishing deep structure, use a two-hook rig with squid strips - these guys can be territorial and will stick around the same spot for years, so once you find them, work that area thoroughly.
Sebastes FlavidusYellowtail rockfish are one of the more cooperative rockfish species, running 11-13 inches on average with some reaching 25 inches. Their yellow tail fins make them easy to identify, and they school up over rocky structure from shallow water down to 1,800 feet. What makes them special is they don't get barotrauma like other rockfish - they can release gas from their swim bladders, so they survive the trip to the surface just fine. The meat is flaky with a mild, sweet flavor that guests really enjoy. They're day feeders and tend to be sluggish, making them great targets for newer anglers. My tip: use a long leader setup with at least 30 feet of line and a float above your top hook - they'll often suspend off the bottom to feed.
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