5.0(1 Reviews)Homer Alaska Rock Fish Charter | Prime Season
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour salmon trolling and rock fish bottom fishing comboOperates Wednesdays and select Tuesdays during prime seasonIncludes all tackle, guidance, and accommodates six guests maximum
When halibut season takes a breather, smart anglers know there's still plenty of action waiting in Homer's rich waters. This 6-hour salmon and rock fish combo trip is your ticket to stay on the water during those mid-week closures, especially on Wednesdays and select Tuesdays from June 20 through August 15. Captain Justin runs a tight ship that accommodates up to 6 anglers, making it perfect for families wanting to introduce kids to serious fishing or small groups looking to fill the cooler without the halibut crowds. You'll spend your time trolling for salmon in the morning hours when they're most active, then switch gears to bottom fishing for rock fish in Homer's productive local waters. All your gear is covered – rods, reels, tackle, and most importantly, the kind of on-the-water coaching that turns decent days into memorable ones.
This combo trip gives you the best of both worlds in Homer's fishing scene. You'll start early when the salmon are moving, working the productive waters around Kachemak Bay with proven trolling techniques. The morning bite is typically your best shot at hooking into a feisty king or silver, so we'll have lines in the water as soon as we clear the harbor. Once we've worked the salmon waters thoroughly, it's time to shift focus to the rocky structure where lingcod, yelloweye rockfish, and black sea bass hang out. The bottom fishing here is consistently productive – these fish live in the rocks year-round and they're always hungry. Captain Justin knows exactly where to drop anchor and put you over structure that holds fish. The whole experience flows naturally from one technique to the next, keeping everyone engaged whether you're 7 years old or 70. At $450 per person (plus Homer's 7.85% local tax) from June 1 through September 15, you're getting a full day's worth of fishing action when other options might be limited.
The beauty of this trip lies in mastering two completely different fishing styles in one day. For salmon, we'll be trolling with downriggers and flasher-dodger setups that mimic the baitfish these kings and silvers are hunting. You'll learn how to work a rod when a salmon hits – feeling that initial strike, setting the hook, and fighting fish that can strip line in powerful runs. The trolling gear is perfectly balanced for the job, giving you enough backbone to control big fish while still letting you feel every headshake and jump. When we transition to rock fishing, it's a whole different game. We'll be using heavier tackle designed to pull fish up from 100-200 feet of water, working through rocky structure where these bottom dwellers live. You'll master the art of feeling bottom, keeping tension on your line, and recognizing the subtle tap-tap of a rock fish versus getting hung up on structure. The techniques are straightforward but effective – drop your jig or bait to the bottom, work it slowly, and be ready for anything from a scrappy black bass to a trophy-sized lingcod.
"Great trip! Justin made a great fishing day for my 7 year old, 10 year old and 12 year old. We hit our limit and had plenty of time to catch some cod." - Mark
Black sea bass are the workhorses of Homer's rock fishing scene, and they're absolute blast to catch on medium-weight tackle. These chunky, aggressive fish live in rocky areas from 50 to 300 feet deep and they'll hit just about anything you drop down to them – jigs, cut bait, even bare hooks if you're fishing in the right spot. They typically run 2-8 pounds in these waters, with the occasional bruiser pushing double digits. What makes them so popular with families is their willingness to bite and their hard-fighting nature – they'll dive straight back to the rocks when hooked, making even smaller fish feel like monsters. Peak season runs from June through early September, and they're particularly active during the warmer summer months when baitfish are abundant.
Yelloweye rockfish are the prize catch of the bottom fishing world here in Homer. These beautiful, long-lived fish can reach impressive sizes – 10 to 20-pound yelloweyes aren't uncommon, and fish over 30 pounds swim in Alaska's deeper waters. They're called yelloweye for obvious reasons, sporting bright yellow eyes that seem almost otherworldly when you bring them up from the depths. These fish are incredibly old – some specimens caught here are 50+ years old – which makes releasing the big breeders even more important. They prefer deeper rocky structure, typically 150-400 feet, and they're most active during summer months when water temperatures are at their peak. The fight is different from black bass – more of a bulldogging, head-shaking battle than the quick dives you'll get from other species.
Chinook salmon, or king salmon as most locals call them, are the ultimate prize when trolling Homer's waters. These are Alaska's premier sport fish, and for good reason – they're big, they're strong, and they know how to fight. Kings in these waters typically range from 10 to 40 pounds, with the occasional monster pushing 50+ pounds during peak runs. What makes them so exciting is their unpredictability – they might come up jumping like a silver salmon, or they might dive deep and wage a 20-minute tug-of-war that tests your arms and your tackle. Peak season runs from mid-June through July, with the best action often happening early in the morning when these fish are actively feeding. They're following baitfish schools throughout Kachemak Bay, which is why trolling is so effective – you're covering water and putting your lure where the salmon are hunting.
This combo trip fills a perfect niche in Homer's fishing calendar
This 26-foot Aluminum Almar cuts through Homer's waters with confidence, powered by a reliable Evinrude 150 that handles Alaska's coastal conditions with ease. Built specifically for stability in these northern waters, she keeps you steady while working the bottom for rockfish or trolling for salmon. The full heater system means you'll stay comfortable even when the weather turns, and the onboard radar keeps you fishing safely when visibility drops. With room for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of deck space to work your lines without crowding. The aluminum construction handles Alaska's rugged marine environment while the single outboard setup keeps things simple and dependable. Whether you're dropping jigs for lingcod and rockfish or pulling gear for salmon, this boat gets you to the fish and back with the comfort and safety features that matter in Alaska waters.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are stocky fighters from the grouper family, typically running 2-4 pounds with some pushing 8+ pounds. These gray-to-black fish have distinctive white-centered scales and males turn bright blue during spawning season with a pronounced head hump. You'll find them around rocky bottoms, wrecks, and structure in 60-120 feet of water during our summer season. They're aggressive feeders that hit squid strips, clams, and jigs hard, putting up a solid fight until they break the surface. The meat is firm and tasty - great table fare. One trick: use a two-hook bottom rig with fresh squid on both hooks. The bigger males hang deeper on rocky structure, so don't be afraid to fish right in the rocks where they like to ambush prey.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook Salmon, or Kings, are the largest Pacific salmon and the prize of our combo trips. These silver-sided fighters average 15-25 pounds in local waters, with some 30+ pounders showing up each season. Look for them in 40-120 feet of water during our June through August prime time. Kings stay deep and are light-sensitive, so we focus on early morning and evening bites. They hit hard and fight like nothing else - long runs and head shakes that'll test your drag. The reddish-pink meat is rich and perfect for the grill. We troll with downriggers using herring, spoons, and plugs to reach their depth. Pro tip: when trolling, watch for bait balls on the fish finder - Kings often hunt just below schools of baitfish, so drop your gear down 20 feet below the action.
Sebastes RuberrimusYelloweye Rockfish are some of the biggest rockfish you'll encounter, averaging 5-15 pounds but capable of hitting 25+ pounds in Alaska waters. These orange-red beauties with bright yellow eyes live along rocky reefs and boulder fields from 60 feet down to 300+ feet, with bigger fish typically holding deeper. They're long-lived fish - some over 100 years old - making each one special. During our June-August season, they're active feeders hitting heavy jigs and natural baits. The fight is strong but short once hooked, and the meat is sweet and flaky - some of the best eating you'll find. Key tip: use heavy weights to get down fast and fish right in the rocks. Once you hook one, keep steady pressure and get them up quick before they duck back into their rocky hideouts.
5.0 out of 5.0Great trip! Justin made a great fishing day for my 7 year old, 10 year old and 12 year old. We hit our limit and had plenty of tim...
Alaska