Homer Salmon & Rockfish Shared Adventure
Shared Trip
Offshore Fishing
8-hour salmon and rockfish fishing in Cook Inlet watersAll equipment and professional fish cleaning services includedFamily-friendly trip targeting multiple species using varied techniques
Get ready for a full day on Alaska's most productive waters with Big Butt Charters' top-rated salmon and rockfish combo trip. This 8-hour shared fishing adventure takes you deep into Cook Inlet and Kachemak Bay, where the action never stops and the coolers fill up fast. Starting at the crack of dawn, you'll experience the best of what these legendary waters have to offer - from screaming drag runs with king salmon to the steady action of bottom bouncing for rockfish. Perfect for families and anglers of all skill levels, this trip delivers variety, excitement, and a freezer full of fillets by the time you're back at the dock.
Your day kicks off at 6:30 AM sharp from Homer's bustling harbor, where Captain will brief you on the day's game plan based on current conditions and fish movement. The beauty of this trip lies in its flexibility - we're chasing whatever's biting best, whether that's trolling the deeper channels for chrome-bright chinook or dropping lines to the bottom for cooperative rockfish and lingcod. Cook Inlet and Kachemak Bay offer some of the most diverse fishing in Alaska, and you'll cover serious water as we move between productive spots throughout the day. The shared trip format means you'll meet fellow anglers and share stories while everyone works together to boat fish. All rods, reels, and tackle are provided, so you just need to show up ready to fish. Professional fish cleaning and vacuum packing ensures your catch goes home restaurant-ready, and with an 8-hour window, there's plenty of time to fill your limits and then some.
This trip showcases two classic Alaska fishing methods that consistently produce results. For salmon, we'll be trolling with downriggers and diving planers, pulling spoons, hoochies, and cut-plug herring through the strike zone where kings are feeding. Trolling lets us cover water efficiently and keep baits in front of fish as we work productive depths and structure. The rocky reefs and underwater pinnacles of Kachemak Bay come alive when we switch to bottom fishing tactics. Heavy jigs, rockfish rigs, and fresh bait get dropped to the deck where lingcod, Pacific cod, and multiple rockfish species are waiting. The bottom fishing is typically non-stop action - as soon as your weight hits the rocks, you're likely hooked up. Captain will handle all the technical aspects like reading the sounder, positioning the boat, and rigging tackle, while you focus on fighting fish and enjoying the day. Both techniques are beginner-friendly but effective enough to keep seasoned anglers engaged all day long.
Chinook salmon are the crown jewel of this trip, and Cook Inlet kings are legendary for their size and fight. These fish average 15-25 pounds but can push 40+ pounds when conditions align. Kings feed aggressively from late spring through early fall, with peak action typically hitting during summer months when baitfish are thick. What makes chinook special is their raw power - they'll scream line off your reel and test your arms with deep, bulldogging runs. The meat is unmatched, with rich, red flesh that's perfect for grilling, smoking, or sashimi.
Vermilion rockfish are customer favorites for their beautiful orange-red coloration and excellent table fare. These fish live around rocky structure in 100-300 feet of water and are known for their cooperative nature once you find a good school. They average 2-4 pounds and fight surprisingly hard for their size. Vermillion rockfish have sweet, white meat with a firm texture that's perfect for fish and chips or blackening.
Yellowtail rockfish bring consistent action to the bottom fishing portion of your day. These golden-colored beauties school up around underwater pinnacles and seamounts, often providing fish-on-every-drop action when you find them. They're slightly smaller than vermillion rockfish but make up for it with sheer numbers. Yellowtails are excellent eating and freeze well, making them perfect for stocking your home freezer.
Black rockfish round out the rockfish slam and are known for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights. These dark-colored fish live in shallower water than their cousins and often suspend mid-column, making them accessible to lighter tackle. Black rockfish have a mild flavor that appeals to even non-fish eaters, and their firm flesh holds up well to various cooking methods. They're also one of the most abundant rockfish species, ensuring steady action throughout your trip.
This world-class combo trip delivers everything Alaska fishing is famous for - variety, action, and quality fish for the dinner table. With professional fish processing included and all tackle provided, you're getting exceptional value for a full day on some of the best fishing waters in the state. The 6:30 AM departure gets you on the fish early when they're most active, and the 8-hour duration provides ample time to work multiple species and techniques. Whether you're a first-timer looking to experience Alaska fishing or a seasoned angler wanting to sample the best of Cook Inlet, this shared trip checks all the boxes. Captain's choice format means you're always fishing the hottest bite, and the family-friendly atmosphere makes it perfect for creating lasting memories. Don't wait - prime dates fill up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is red hot.
Our 29' Raider sport fisher cuts through Cook Inlet and Kachemak Bay waters with authority, powered by twin 300 HP Yamahas that get you to productive fishing grounds fast. Built for serious angling, this boat handles up to 6 anglers comfortably while you work the waters for Chinook salmon, rockfish, lingcod, and Pacific cod. The setup includes GPS navigation, radar for those foggy Alaska mornings, and fish finders to locate where the fish are holding. Downriggers keep your lines at the right depth for salmon trolling, while the spacious deck gives everyone room to fight fish without tangling lines. Modern electronics help the captain read water conditions and find structure where rockfish congregate. The onboard toilet means more time fishing, less time heading back to port. This well-maintained vessel combines speed with stability, perfect for covering water efficiently during your 8-hour day on some of Alaska's most productive fishing grounds.
Sebastes MelanopsBlack rockfish are aggressive feeders that make for reliable action when salmon fishing slows down. These dark gray to black fish average 4-5 pounds but can push 10+ pounds if you're lucky. They hang around rocky structure, jetties, and rough current areas from shallow water down to 400 feet. What I like about blacks is they're not picky eaters - they'll hammer jigs, bait, whatever you put in front of them. The meat is solid and tasty, plus they fight harder than you'd expect for their size. One heads-up: their dorsal spines pack a little venom, so watch your hands when handling them. Also, they're prone to barotrauma coming up from depth, so work quickly if you're releasing them. My local trick is to use a sensitive rod tip so you feel every tap. Blacks often mouth the bait first, and if you're not paying attention, they'll steal your offering before you know it.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKings are the crown jewel of our trolling trips - massive silver bullets that can reach 20-30 pounds in these waters. We target them using our downriggers and trolling spreads in the deeper channels of Cook Inlet and Kachemak Bay. These fish are light-sensitive, so early morning and evening bites tend to be the most productive. What guests love about Chinooks is the initial run when they realize they're hooked - pure power that'll test your grip. The meat is rich, oily, and perfect for the grill with that signature orange-red color. Summer months bring the best action as they stage before their spawning runs. One thing I always tell folks: when you feel that first heavy thump on the rod, don't horse them. Let the drag work and keep steady pressure. Kings have soft mouths, and too much pressure will pull the hooks right out.
Sebastes MiniatusThese bright red beauties with their black-mottled backs are a real treat to pull up from the rocky bottoms around Kachemak Bay. Most run 14-22 inches and pack some solid weight for their size. You'll find them hanging around boulder piles and reef structures, usually between 100-500 feet down where they like to tuck into crevices. What makes vermilions special is their excellent table fare - firm, white meat that tastes fantastic. They're also surprisingly territorial, so once you find one spot producing, work it thoroughly. These fish can live decades in the same area. Here's a local trick: when you're bottom fishing for them, use a strip of fresh squid on a two-hook rig and give it a little jig every now and then. That movement triggers their predatory instinct and gets them to commit to the bite.
Sebastes FlavidusYellowtails are one of my favorite rockfish to target because they school up tight and once you find them, the action stays hot. These greenish-brown fish with their signature yellow tails average 11-13 inches but can surprise you with bigger ones mixed in. They roam all over the water column from shallow reefs down to 600+ feet, often schooling with other rockfish species. What's cool about yellowtails 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. The meat is flaky with a mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat. They're active during the day and tend to settle near bottom at night. My go-to setup is a long leader with a float above the top hook. This keeps your bait up in the strike zone where these fish are cruising and feeding.
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