8 Hour King & Coho Salmon Charter in Homer
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday king salmon fishing charter in Homer watersProfessional boats operate 15 hours daily from Homer SpitSingle guest capacity ensures personalized fishing experience
Homer's legendary salmon runs draw anglers from around the world, and there's good reason why. This full-day charter puts you right in the action where Kachemak Bay's nutrient-rich waters create some of Alaska's most productive salmon fishing. You'll meet us at our Homer Spit office bright and early – we actually encourage folks to check in the night before so you can hit the water without any delays. Our 8-hour trips run from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., giving you maximum time on the prime fishing grounds when the salmon are most active.
This isn't your typical weekend fishing trip – it's a full commitment to chasing Alaska's premier salmon species in one of the state's most productive waters. Homer Spit serves as your launching point into Kachemak Bay, where the mixing of glacial runoff and saltwater creates the perfect salmon highway. You'll be fishing solo with our experienced captain, which means personalized attention and the flexibility to adapt techniques based on what's working that day. The boat selection depends on conditions and your preferences, but every vessel in our fleet is purpose-built for salmon fishing with quality electronics, downriggers, and all the tackle you need. Pack layers – Alaska weather can shift quickly, and you'll want to stay comfortable during those long fights with big kings. We're talking about fish that can take 20 minutes or more to land, so stamina matters as much as technique.
Salmon fishing in Homer revolves around trolling, and there's an art to doing it right. We'll be running downriggers with flashers and bait or lures at various depths, typically anywhere from 40 to 120 feet depending on where the fish are holding. The electronics tell part of the story, but reading the water, understanding the tides, and knowing the seasonal patterns make the real difference. Spring tides often push baitfish closer to structure, and that's when salmon feeding activity really picks up. You'll learn to feel the difference between a salmon strike and just dragging bottom – kings hit with authority, while cohos tend to be more aggressive and acrobatic. We carry a full spread of proven lures: spoons, hoochies, and cut-plug herring that have been producing fish in these waters for decades. The key is matching the presentation to conditions and being ready to switch things up when the bite changes.
Chinook salmon, better known as kings, are the crown jewel of Alaska salmon fishing and the primary target during much of the Homer season. These fish average 15-30 pounds in Kachemak Bay, with the occasional monster pushing 40-50 pounds that'll test your tackle and endurance. Kings are available from May through September, with peak action typically hitting in June and July when both resident fish and ocean-bright salmon are moving through the area. What makes targeting kings so addictive is their raw power – they'll make long runs, dive deep, and use their weight to try to throw the hooks. The fight can last 15-30 minutes with a good fish, and there's nothing quite like seeing that silver flash as a big king comes to the surface. These fish prefer deeper water and structure, so we'll often be fishing 60-120 feet down along drop-offs and underwater ridges where they ambush baitfish.
Coho salmon bring a completely different energy to your fishing day, and many anglers actually prefer them for their aerial displays and aggressive strikes. These silver bullets typically run 8-15 pounds in Homer waters, but what they lack in size compared to kings, they make up for in attitude. Cohos are notorious for jumping repeatedly when hooked, and they'll often charge straight at the boat before peeling line on another run. Peak coho season runs from July through September, with August often providing the most consistent action. These fish tend to feed higher in the water column than kings, so you'll often find them 20-60 feet down. Cohos are also more likely to hit lures aggressively, making them perfect for anglers who want fast-paced action. When a school of feeding cohos moves through, you can experience some of the most exciting salmon fishing Alaska has to offer, with multiple hookups and constant rod-bending action.
An 8-hour salmon charter represents serious fishing – the kind of trip where you give yourself the best shot at both trophy kings and feisty cohos in the same day. Homer's reputation as the "Halibut Fishing Capital of the World" sometimes overshadows its world-class salmon fishing, which means more fish for those in the know. The personalized attention you get on this single-angler charter allows for technique refinement and maximizes your time with lines in the water. Whether you're after your first Alaska king or looking to add to your salmon slam, these Homer waters deliver the goods. The season moves fast, and the best fishing windows fill up quickly, especially during peak summer months. Inlet Charters has the local knowledge and quality equipment to put you on fish, but the timing is up to you – book early to secure your dates during prime season.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the giants of our waters here in Homer, running 15-30 pounds with trophy fish pushing 40-plus. These silver-sided bruisers with black-spotted tails cruise deep in Kachemak Bay, typically 60-100 feet down where the water stays cool. They're most active during our summer runs from May through August, with peak action in July. What makes kings special isn't just their size – they're smart fighters that test your gear and patience. The rich, orange-red meat is restaurant quality. Pro tip: when trolling herring, add a subtle jigging motion every few seconds. Kings often strike on the pause, so stay ready when you stop that bait.
Oncorhynchus KisutchSilver salmon are pure energy on the end of your line – these 8-12 pound acrobats will jump clean out of the water and run hard when hooked. You'll find cohos in the upper water column around Homer, often just 20-40 feet down near baitfish schools. Late July through September brings the best action as they stage before heading upriver. What guests love most is their aerial show and aggressive strikes on everything from spoons to flies. The bright orange meat rivals king salmon for taste. Here's a local trick: when cohos are finicky, switch to a smaller presentation and speed up your troll – their competitive nature kicks in and they'll chase down a fast-moving lure.
Fairbanks