September Offshore Halibut Charter - Alaska
Shared Trip
Offshore Fishing
Tenhour offshore charter targeting Alaska's productive halibut groundsShared trip opportunity for rockfish, salmon, and lingcod speciesSeptember timing offers peak halibut fishing conditions
When September rolls around in Alaska, you know the halibut fishing is about to get serious. This 10-hour shared charter with Saltwater Safari Company puts you right where the big flatfish are feeding, and trust me, September is when these Pacific giants are at their hungriest. You'll be targeting some of the most prized catches in Alaskan waters while soaking up the crisp fall air and stunning coastal views. Pack your patience and bring your A-game – these fish don't give up without a fight.
This isn't your typical half-day trip around the bay. We're talking a full 10 hours of serious bottom fishing in Alaska's productive offshore waters, where the continental shelf drops off and the big halibut cruise the depths looking for their next meal. September weather can be unpredictable, so you'll want to layer up and bring rain gear – the fish don't stop biting just because of a little chop. The crew knows these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll position you over the prime halibut real estate where these flatfish stack up. Between the halibut action, you'll likely tangle with some feisty rockfish, maybe a late-run salmon, and if you're lucky, a heavyweight lingcod that'll test your drag system. It's a shared trip, so you'll be fishing alongside other anglers who are just as fired up about landing something memorable.
Halibut fishing is all about getting your bait down to the bottom and keeping it there, which sounds simple until you're dealing with 200-300 feet of water and strong currents. The crew will set you up with heavy tackle – we're talking 50-80 pound test line and sinkers that weigh more than most fish you've caught elsewhere. Circle hooks are the name of the game here, rigged with fresh herring, salmon bellies, or whatever the halibut are crushing that day. You'll be using conventional reels with serious drag systems because when a barn door halibut decides to make a run, you need equipment that can handle the punishment. The technique is straightforward: drop your rig to the bottom, keep light contact with your weight, and wait for that unmistakable thump-thump-thump that signals a halibut has picked up your bait. When it happens, resist the urge to set the hook hard – circle hooks work best when you just start reeling steadily and let the hook find the corner of the fish's mouth.
Pacific Halibut are the stars of this show, and September is prime time for these flatfish titans. These bottom-dwellers can live over 50 years and grow to massive proportions – we're talking fish that can stretch 6-8 feet and weigh 200-400 pounds, though most anglers will tangle with 30-100 pounders that still provide an epic battle. Halibut are ambush predators that bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting to engulf passing fish, crabs, and squid. What makes them so exciting to catch is their incredible strength and endurance – they'll make long, powerful runs and use their flat body like a sail to fight against you on the way up. September halibut are feeding heavily before winter, making them aggressive and more likely to hit your bait.
Pacific Cod might not have the glamour of halibut, but they're fantastic eating and put up a respectable scrap on lighter tackle. These fish school up over rocky bottoms and seamounts, often in the same areas where you're targeting halibut. Cod are curious biters that will often mouth your bait before committing, so you need to be patient and let them take it. They're most active during the day and prefer depths between 100-300 feet. September cod are chunky and firm-fleshed, perfect for fish and chips or a hearty chowder when you get back to shore.
Lingcod are the bruisers of the rockfish family, with massive heads, razor-sharp teeth, and an attitude to match. These aggressive predators lurk around rocky structure and kelp beds, ambushing anything that swims by. What makes lingcod so fun to catch is their explosive strike – they'll absolutely crush your bait and make a beeline for the nearest rock pile or crevice. September lingcod can push 30-40 pounds and will test every knot and connection on your rig. Their meat has a unique blue-green tint when raw that turns white when cooked, and the flavor is absolutely phenomenal – firm, flaky, and mild.
September offshore halibut fishing in Alaska is what fishing dreams are made of. You're looking at 10 hours on some of the most productive waters in the North Pacific, targeting fish that can provide stories for years to come. The combination of trophy halibut, scrappy cod, and aggressive lingcod makes this a top-rated charter that fills up fast as word gets around. Don't forget to bring snacks and drinks since meals aren't provided – you'll work up an appetite battling these fish all day. This shared trip gives you world-class fishing at a great value, and with Saltwater Safari Company's local knowledge and proven track record, you're setting yourself up for the kind of fishing adventure that becomes a customer favorite year after year.
Your fishing platform for this 10-hour halibut hunt is a rebuilt 53-foot Delta Marine Cruiser that's built to handle Alaska's challenging offshore waters. Twin 600HP Caterpillar engines push this boat at a solid 22 knots, getting you to the productive halibut grounds efficiently so you can maximize your bottom fishing time. The 1992 hull got a complete restoration in 2020, giving you a reliable vessel that can handle the long day ahead. On deck, you'll find all the essentials for serious halibut fishing - GPS and fish finder to locate the best spots, radar for those murky Alaskan conditions, and VHF radio for safety communication. The boat comfortably fishes up to 16 anglers, giving everyone plenty of room to work their lines without getting tangled up. September's prime halibut season means you'll be targeting these barn door-sized flatfish in their prime feeding time, plus you might hook into rockfish, salmon, or lingcod while you're working the bottom.
Ophiodon ElongatusLingcod are the bullies of Alaska's rocky bottoms - aggressive predators with huge mouths full of needle-sharp teeth. Despite the name, they're actually greenlings, not cod. Most females run 20-30 pounds while males stay smaller, but 70+ pounders lurk in Alaska waters. They ambush prey from rocky lairs in 30-300 feet, using mottled coloring as camouflage. You can target them year-round, but September offers great action as they're actively hunting. What makes lingcod fun is their attitude - they'd rather fight than flee, giving solid battles on medium tackle. Plus they're excellent eating with firm white meat. My tip: use metal jigs worked right along rocky structure. They'll grab almost anything, but keep your drag set firm - once you pull them from their rocks, they're yours.
Gadus MacrocephalusPacific Cod are the workhorses of our bottom fishing trips - reliable, plentiful, and surprisingly strong for their size. Most run 5-15 pounds, but don't underestimate them when they bend your rod. They live in 60-1500 feet on continental shelves, preferring 32-40°F water. September's great because they're actively feeding before winter spawning. Cod aren't picky eaters - they'll hit almost anything that sinks to bottom, including other cod. What guests love is the consistent action and excellent eating - sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for fish and chips. The trick with cod is using heavier jigs or flies with 2/0 to 7/0 hooks to get down fast. Squid and mackerel work best, but they're greedy enough to take most baits. Easy fighters but solid table fare.
Hippoglossus StenolepisPacific Halibut are the giants of Alaska's bottom - these flatfish can reach 500 pounds, though most runs average 20-40 pounders with plenty of 100+ fish mixed in. They live on muddy bottoms in 150-500 feet, feeding on cod, crab, and salmon. September is prime time as they're actively feeding in shallower water before heading deep for winter. What makes halibut special is the combination of incredible table fare and serious fight - they'll test your endurance over the 10-hour trip. The key trick is keeping your bait moving slightly off bottom with 1-2 pound weights. When they hit, they hit hard, then it becomes a battle of patience. Use salmon heads, herring, or squid for best results. These fish live 30+ years, so respect the resource.
Seward, AK