Homer Fall Halibut & Rockfish Combo Charter
Shared Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fall halibut and rockfish combo charter in Homer watersSingle guest capacity ensures personalized fishing experienceExpert guides navigate coastal waters during autumn season
When fall rolls around in Homer, Alaska, something special happens on the water. The summer crowds thin out, the fishing pressure drops, and those Pacific halibut and rockfish start feeding heavy before winter sets in. This combo charter gives you the best of both worlds – targeting barn door halibut while picking up colorful rockfish along the way. You'll fish solo with our seasoned captain, so there's no fighting for rod time or dealing with tangled lines from other anglers. Just you, the guide, and some of the most productive inshore waters Alaska has to offer.
This isn't your typical crowded charter boat experience. With just one angler aboard, you get personalized attention and can fish at your own pace. We'll launch from Homer's famous Spit and head out into Kachemak Bay, where the bottom structure is perfect for both species. The fall bite can be absolutely lights-out – halibut are fattening up for winter, and rockfish school up in massive numbers around the rocky outcrops. Expect to spend your day moving between different spots, from sandy flats where halibut cruise to rocky pinnacles where vermilion and yelloweye rockfish hang out. The weather can be crisp, so dress in layers, but the cooler temps often mean better fishing and clearer water.
We'll be fishing with heavy tackle suited for Alaska's big fish – think 50-80 pound class rods with circle hooks and plenty of lead to get down deep. For halibut, we're talking about fishing anywhere from 80 to 200 feet of water using whole herring, salmon bellies, or big chunks of fresh bait. The technique is pretty straightforward – drop to the bottom, reel up a few cranks, and wait for that telltale thump. Rockfish are a bit different – they like smaller baits and tend to hit hard and fast. We'll often use spreader bars or multiple hook rigs to maximize your chances. Don't worry about bringing your own gear – everything's provided, from rods and reels to tackle and bait. Just bring yourself and maybe some snacks since meals aren't included on this trip.
The vermilion rockfish around Homer are absolute stunners – bright red with that classic rockfish look. These guys typically run 3-8 pounds and fight surprisingly hard for their size. They love hanging around rocky bottom in 100-150 feet of water, and fall is prime time because they're actively feeding before the winter slowdown. What makes them special is their incredible table fare – sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for fish tacos or grilled whole. Plus, they're just gorgeous fish that photograph well if you're into that sort of thing.
Yelloweye rockfish are the real prize among the rockfish species here. These deep-water beauties can live over 100 years and grow to impressive sizes – we're talking 10-20 pounders regularly, with monsters pushing 30+ pounds. They're called yelloweye for obvious reasons, but their coloration ranges from bright red to almost orange. They live deeper than vermilions, usually 150-300 feet down, and they're notorious for their crushing bite. When you hook into a big yelloweye, you'll know it immediately. They're also fantastic eating, with firm white meat that holds up well to any cooking method.
Now, the Atlantic halibut – wait, that's not right. We're fishing Pacific halibut here in Alaska, and they're what dreams are made of. These flatfish are the kings of the bottom, and Homer is world-famous for producing giants. Fall fishing can yield anything from 20-pound "chickens" perfect for eating to massive 100+ pound barn doors that'll test your tackle and your back. Halibut are ambush predators that bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting for baitfish to swim overhead. When they hit, it's like hooking into a coffee table, and the fight is a slow, powerful battle. The meat is legendary – firm, white, and versatile enough for everything from fish and chips to sashimi.
Fall fishing in Homer is something every angler should experience at least once. The combination of reduced boat traffic, hungry fish, and Alaska's stunning autumn scenery makes this trip a no-brainer. With single-angler capacity, these charters book up fast, especially during the prime fall weeks. You're not just buying a fishing trip – you're investing in memories that'll last a lifetime and probably enough fish to fill your freezer. Don't sleep on this one; the fall bite is legendary around here, and spots disappear quickly once word gets out about the hot fishing.
Your fishing adventures in Homer's fall waters start aboard a reliable 30-foot Obsession Ray Hunt Sportfisher. This Chris Craft beauty runs on twin 240HP Yanmar engines that'll get you to the halibut and rockfish spots at a steady 21 knots. The boat's built for serious fishing with a fish finder to locate those bottom-dwellers, GPS to mark your productive spots, and VHF radio for safe communication on the water. With space for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of room to work your lines without bumping elbows. The onboard facilities include a head for convenience during those longer fishing sessions. This sportfisher handles Alaska's coastal waters with confidence, giving you a stable platform to battle both hefty halibut and feisty rockfish as autumn colors frame the surrounding coastline.
Hippoglossus HippoglossusWhile we're mainly known for Pacific halibut here in Homer, Atlantic halibut are the world's largest flatfish and absolute monsters - the biggest recorded hit 720 pounds. These diamond-shaped giants are deep brown with white spots and incredibly strong swimmers, making them a serious challenge on rod and reel. They prefer depths of 160-6500 feet in cold water around 37-41°F. Spring through early summer is prime time when they move shallow after deep-water spawning. What draws anglers is the pure power - these fish can break bones if you're not careful bringing them aboard. The meat is considered a delicacy worldwide. Best approach is drift fishing with heavy tackle in 150-500 feet. Let the boat's movement work your bait naturally along bottom structure.
Sebastes MiniatusThese bright red beauties with their black-mottled backs are a solid catch averaging 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 as deep as 900 feet around Homer's boulder fields. Fall fishing is prime time when they're feeding heavy before winter. What makes vermilions special is their rough, scaled jaw - helps tell them apart from yelloweye rockfish. They put up a decent scrap and make excellent table fare. The meat is sweet and flaky, perfect for fish tacos. Pro tip: when fishing deep structure, use a two-hook rig with squid strips and keep it right on bottom - these fish rarely chase bait up in the water column.
Sebastes RuberrimusThose distinctive bright yellow eyes make these rockfish easy to spot, and they're some of the biggest in Alaska waters - averaging 5-15 pounds with 25+ pounders common up here. They change color as they age, starting deep red and turning orange to yellow over their long lives (some reach 130+ years). You'll find them on rocky reefs from 60-1800 feet, with bigger fish going deeper. Fall is solid for targeting them as they feed up before winter slows things down. The fight is tough since they use rocks for cover, and the meat is prized for its sweet, delicate flavor. My advice: bring stout tackle and heavy jigs. Once you hook one, keep steady pressure to pull them away from their rocky hideouts before they cut you off.
Homer, AK