Homer Charter Fishing | Spring Private Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Private charter fishing for up to 6 guests in Homer watersTarget halibut and salmon with expert local guides aboardSpring season offers optimal conditions for offshore fishing
Picture this: you and up to five buddies have the entire boat to yourselves, cruising Homer's world-class fishing waters when the spring bite is just heating up. This isn't some crowded cattle boat where you're fighting for rail space – it's your private charter, your rules, your fish. Based out of Homer, Alaska's renowned halibut capital, our spring private charters put you right in the sweet spot where massive Pacific halibut and feisty salmon are starting to move into their prime feeding zones. The best part? You set the pace, choose the spots, and get personalized attention from guides who know these waters like their own backyard.
Spring in Homer means the fishing is waking up after winter, and that translates to hungry fish and less competition from the summer crowds. Your private charter gives you the flexibility to target whatever species are biting best that day. We'll start early – usually around 6 AM when the bite is most active – and spend a full day working the productive grounds around Kachemak Bay and beyond. The boat's all yours, so if someone in your group wants to try different techniques or spend extra time on a hot spot, we make it happen. Our guides come equipped with top-rated tackle, fresh bait, and the local knowledge that separates a good day from an epic one. Since meals aren't included, we recommend packing a hearty lunch and plenty of snacks – you'll work up an appetite fighting these fish.
We fish these waters using a mix of bottom fishing and trolling, depending on what we're targeting and where the fish are holding. For halibut, we'll anchor up or drift over productive structure using heavy tackle and circle hooks baited with herring or salmon bellies. The key is getting your bait down to where these flatfish are lying – sometimes that means dropping 200+ feet to the bottom. When we're after salmon, we switch gears to trolling with downriggers, running flashers and spoons or hoochies at different depths until we find the magic combination. The waters around Homer offer incredible variety – from shallow kelp beds where rockfish hide to deep channels where the big halibut cruise. Your guide will read the conditions, check the fish finder, and adjust tactics on the fly. Spring conditions can be choppy, so we always prioritize safety while making sure you get the most out of your time on the water.
Atlantic Halibut are the crown jewel of Homer fishing, and spring marks the beginning of prime halibut season. These bottom-dwelling giants can weigh anywhere from 20 pounds to well over 200, with the bigger fish – we call them "barn doors" – providing the fight of a lifetime. Halibut are ambush predators that lie camouflaged on sandy or muddy bottoms, waiting for baitfish to swim overhead. What makes them so exciting to catch is their initial run when hooked – they'll peel line and dive deep before coming to the surface for an epic battle. Spring fish are hungry after winter and more aggressive about taking bait.
Vermilion Rockfish add consistent action to your day, especially when the halibut bite slows down. These bright red beauties typically run 2-5 pounds and school up around rocky structure in 100-300 feet of water. They're scrappy fighters for their size and make excellent table fare. Vermilion rockfish are curious by nature, so once you find a school, you can often catch several before they wise up and move off.
Yelloweye Rockfish are the heavy hitters of the rockfish world, with some specimens reaching 20+ pounds and living for decades. These deep-water residents have distinctive yellow eyes and mottled coloring that helps them blend with rocky habitat. They're typically found deeper than vermilions – sometimes 400+ feet down – and their size makes them a customer favorite. Yelloweyes fight hard and provide great photo opportunities with their unique appearance.
Chinook Salmon, or king salmon, start showing up in Homer waters during spring as they begin their spawning migrations. These silver bullets can weigh 15-40 pounds and are renowned for their powerful runs and aerial displays. Spring kings are chrome-bright from feeding in the ocean and pack serious muscle. They're typically caught while trolling, and when one hits your gear, you'll know it immediately – the rod doubles over and line starts screaming off the reel. Kings are considered the ultimate prize by many anglers due to their size, fight, and exceptional eating quality.
Homer's spring fishing season fills up fast, especially for private charters that offer this level of personalized service. You're not just booking a fishing trip – you're securing access to some of Alaska's best fishing with guides who live and breathe these waters year-round. Whether your group is looking to land trophy halibut, fill the cooler with rockfish, or chase chrome-bright salmon, this private charter experience delivers the goods without the crowds. The combination of prime spring timing, exclusive boat access, and expert local guidance makes this a trending choice for serious anglers. Don't wait until the summer rush – spring is when the smart money fishes Homer, and your perfect charter date is just a phone call away.
Get ready to chase halibut and salmon aboard our 30-foot Obsession Ray Hunt Sportfisher this spring in Homer's legendary waters. This Chris Craft beauty packs twin 240HP Yanmar engines that'll cruise you to the hottest fishing spots at 21 knots, giving you more time with lines in the water. With room for 6 anglers, she's built for serious fishing action while keeping everyone comfortable. The fish finder will help locate those trophy halibut lurking in the depths, while GPS navigation ensures we hit all the prime fishing grounds around Kachemak Bay. VHF radio keeps us connected to other boats sharing intel on where the fish are biting. Spring fishing in Homer means longer days, active fish, and Alaska's stunning coastline as your backdrop. This boat handles Alaska's waters like a champ, so you can focus on what matters most - landing that fish of a lifetime.
Hippoglossus HippoglossusAtlantic halibut are massive flatfish that can reach 8 feet and over 700 pounds, though most we see run 30-50 pounds. These diamond-shaped fighters live on the bottom in 150-500 feet of water around rocky structure and sandy flats. Spring through early summer is prime time when they move into shallower feeding areas after spawning. What makes them special is the incredible fight - they're strong swimmers that'll test your gear and endurance. The meat is world-class eating, firm and sweet. Here's a local trick: when you feel that first thump, don't set the hook hard right away. Let them take it and start moving before you lean into them. They have huge mouths but sometimes just mouth the bait first.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon, or kings, are the largest salmon species running 12-39 inches and 7-30 pounds in our waters. These silver-sided fighters with blue-green backs prefer deeper water during the day, moving up to feed morning and evening. Spring through early summer is peak season as they stage before heading to spawn. What sets them apart is their power - kings are absolute bulldogs that'll test your drag and make long runs. The reddish-pink meat is premium eating, rich and flavorful. They're light-sensitive, so we target them deep with downriggers or weighted lines. Local secret: on bright days, run chartreuse and blue lures, but switch to darker purple and black combinations when it's overcast. Early morning bites are often the most productive.
Sebastes MiniatusVermilion rockfish are striking bright red fish with black mottling that average 14-22 inches and up to 15 pounds. You'll find them around rocky bottoms and reef structure in 100-500 feet, though we sometimes pull them from deeper water. Spring and summer fishing is solid when they're more active feeding on squid, small fish, and krill. Guests love their vibrant colors and the fact they make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. They're scrappy fighters for their size and often come up in mixed bags with other rockfish species. Pro tip: use a two-hook rig with strips of squid or herring, and don't be surprised if you hook up while targeting other bottom fish - they're opportunistic feeders that'll grab most baits.
Sebastes RuberrimusYelloweye rockfish are the prize of Alaska's rockfish family, with their distinctive golden eyes and bright orange-red bodies. These beauties average 5-15 pounds but can push 25+ pounds up here in Alaska waters. They live deep in 60-1800 feet around rocky reefs and boulder fields, with bigger fish typically found deeper. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're actively feeding on smaller fish and invertebrates. The fight is solid and the meat is sweet and delicate - some of the best eating you'll find. They can live over 100 years, making each one special. My tip: use heavy jigs or natural bait with stout tackle since you'll need to muscle them out of the rocks fast, or they'll wrap you up and break off.
Homer, AK