Full Day Multi-Species Fishing in Homer
Shared Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full-day Homer trip targeting halibut, salmon, and rockfish speciesProfessional tackle provided with complimentary fish cleaning services includedTen-hour shared charter accommodates all experience levels seasonally
Homer's Kachemak Bay offers some of Alaska's most productive fishing waters, and this full-day charter puts you right in the thick of it. Starting at 6:30 AM, you'll spend 10 solid hours targeting the bay's legendary Pacific Halibut alongside salmon runs and massive rockfish schools. Big Butt Charters knows these waters inside and out, and their captains will put you on fish whether you've been at this for decades or just picked up a rod yesterday. The extended time on the water means more opportunities to fill your cooler with a mixed bag of Alaska's finest eating fish.
This isn't your typical half-day rush job. Ten hours gives you time to really fish these waters properly, moving between different depths and structures as conditions change throughout the day. You'll start early to beat the crowds and take advantage of morning bite windows when salmon are most active near the surface. As the day progresses, you'll work deeper water for halibut and rockfish, with your captain reading the electronics to find the best bottom structure. The shared trip format keeps costs reasonable while still giving you personalized attention - with just one angler per booking, you're getting nearly private charter treatment. Professional-grade Penn and Shimano gear comes standard, along with all terminal tackle, so you can focus on fishing instead of rigging.
Your captain will adapt techniques based on what's biting and where. For halibut, expect to fish heavy jigs and large baits on the bottom in 100-300 feet of water, using circle hooks to ensure solid hooksets on these barn door-sized fish. Salmon fishing varies by season - early summer means trolling herring and spoons for kings, while later in the year you'll work deeper structure with flashers and hoochies. Rockfish respond well to smaller jigs bounced near rocky bottom, and once you find a school, the action can be non-stop. The captain provides all bait and handles rigging changes as you move between species, explaining the why behind each setup so you learn while you fish. Fish cleaning and filleting is included, so your catch goes home professionally processed and ready for the freezer.
Pacific Halibut are the crown jewel of Homer fishing, and these waters consistently produce fish from 20 pounds up to true monsters over 100 pounds. These flatfish are ambush predators that lie buried in sand waiting for baitfish to pass overhead. Peak halibut season runs June through August when they move into shallower water to feed. Fighting a big halibut is like arm wrestling a refrigerator - they use their flat profile to create incredible resistance, making even 30-pound fish feel much larger. The sweet, flaky white meat is considered some of the best eating fish in Alaska.
Chinook Salmon, locally called kings, are available from May through July with peak action in June. These silver bullets can exceed 40 pounds in Kachemak Bay, making blistering runs that test your drag system. Kings are known for their rich, red meat and high oil content - perfect for grilling or smoking. They're also one of the smartest salmon species, often requiring precise presentation and fresh bait to trigger strikes.
Vermilion Rockfish show their beautiful orange-red coloration when brought up from depth, typically found in 150-400 feet around rocky structure. These fish can live over 100 years and grow slowly, with larger specimens representing decades of growth. They're excellent table fare with firm, white meat similar to snapper. Black Rockfish are more aggressive feeders found in shallower water, while Yellowtail Rockfish prefer deeper terrain and can reach impressive sizes around underwater pinnacles and ridges.
This full-day multi-species trip maximizes your time on some of Alaska's most productive fishing grounds. With professional gear, expert guidance, and fish processing included, you're getting everything needed for a successful day except your fishing license and snacks. The May through September season covers prime fishing for all target species, with each month offering different opportunities as fish move through their seasonal patterns. Homer's reputation as the "Halibut Fishing Capital of the World" isn't just marketing - these waters consistently produce trophy fish alongside excellent salmon and rockfish action that keeps anglers coming back year after year.
Our 29' Raider sport fisher cuts through Alaskan waters with twin 300 HP Yamahas, getting you to productive halibut and salmon grounds fast. Built for serious fishing, this boat handles six anglers comfortably with modern GPS, radar for those foggy Homer mornings, and fish finders to locate schools below. Downriggers keep your lines at the right depth whether you're targeting monster halibut on the bottom or chasing salmon in the water column. The onboard toilet means more time fishing, less time heading back to port. Captain provides all the tackle and knows exactly where the fish are biting. Perfect setup for landing everything from hefty rockfish to that trophy halibut you've been dreaming about.
Sebastes MelanopsBlack rockfish are scrappy fighters that turn almost completely dark gray to black as adults, though older fish can lighten up considerably. They typically run 4-5 pounds and about two feet long, living around rocky reefs and jetties from shallow water down to 1,200 feet. These aggressive feeders will hit almost anything - jigs, bait, lures - making them perfect for beginners and experienced anglers alike. They school with other rockfish species and aren't shy about biting. The meat is firm and mild, great for fish tacos or grilling. Summer fishing is most productive when they're actively feeding near the surface and around structure. One thing to watch for is barotrauma - their eyes can bulge when brought up from depth since they can't release gas from their swim bladders. Use a medium action rod with sensitive tip to feel those subtle bites, and don't be afraid to fish jigs aggressively around rocky bottom.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the prize of our waters - the largest Pacific salmon species and absolute powerhouses when hooked. Most run 12-30 pounds, but we see plenty over 40 pounds during peak season from May through August. These silver-sided fighters with black-spotted tails stay deep during the day, so we use downriggers and weighted gear to reach them. What sets kings apart is their incredible strength and stamina - they'll make long runs and test your drag system. The meat is rich and buttery with that deep red-orange color everyone wants. Early morning and evening tend to be most productive when they're actively feeding on herring and other baitfish. Here's a local trick: when trolling, vary your speed every few minutes. Kings often hit right after a speed change when the lure's action shifts - seems to trigger their predatory instinct.
Hippoglossus StenolepisPacific halibut are the barn doors of Alaska fishing - massive flatfish that can weigh 100+ pounds and provide enough fillets to fill your freezer. Most run 20-40 pounds, but catching a 200-pounder isn't unheard of around Homer. These bottom-dwellers live on sandy and muddy flats from 150-500 feet deep, where they ambush prey like cod, salmon, and crabs. Summer is prime time when they move into shallower feeding areas. What makes halibut special is the combination of their incredible size, surprising fight, and those thick, white fillets that taste amazing. They're patient hunters, so halibut fishing becomes a waiting game - you'll feel that subtle tap, then the rod loads up as they try to return to the bottom. The key is using heavy enough gear and 1-2 pound weights to stay down. Once hooked, pump and wind - don't just crank on them or you'll tire out fast.
Sebastes MiniatusThese bright red beauties with their black-mottled backs are one of the prettier rockfish we target around Homer. They typically run 14-22 inches and weigh up to 15 pounds, living around rocky bottoms and reefs from 100-500 feet down. What makes them special is their rough, scaled jaw - helps tell them apart from yelloweye rockfish. They're aggressive feeders that hit small strips of squid or fish readily. Guests love vermilions because they fight well for their size and make excellent table fare. During summer months when we're fishing the deeper structures, they're often mixed in with other rockfish species. Pro tip: when you're fishing 300+ feet, use a two-hook rig with fresh squid strips - these fish can live over 100 years, so they've seen plenty of baits, but they can't resist a well-presented squid.
Sebastes FlavidusYellowtail rockfish are one of our most reliable catches, easily identified by their bright yellow tail fins and greenish-brown backs that fade to white bellies. They average 11-13 inches but can reach 25 inches, and unlike most rockfish, they handle pressure changes well so they're usually in good shape when brought up. You'll find them schooling over rocky areas and reefs anywhere from shallow water to 1,800 feet deep. They're active during the day and have a mild, slightly sweet flavor that's perfect for fish and chips. Summer months are prime time when they're feeding heavily on small crustaceans and squid. These fish aren't picky eaters - they'll hit jigs, flies, and bait readily. My go-to setup is a long leader with a float above the top hook. The float keeps your bait off the bottom where it's more visible to these mid-water feeders.
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