5.0(1 Reviews)Homer Alaska Rock Fish Combo Charter
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour salmon and rockfish combo when halibut season closesAccommodates up to six guests with all gear includedPopular Wednesday and Tuesday trips from June through August
When halibut season takes a breather, smart anglers know there's still plenty of action in Homer's waters. This 6-hour salmon and rock fish combo trip gives you the best of both worlds – trolling for chrome-bright salmon and dropping down for some seriously tasty bottom fish. Captain Justin runs these trips specifically on those mid-week days when the halibut fishing is closed, turning what could be a disappointing day into a fish-filled adventure. You'll spend your morning working the local waters where salmon stack up during their runs, then switch gears to target rock fish that call these depths home year-round.
This top-rated charter accommodates up to 6 anglers, making it perfect for families or small groups who want a more personalized fishing experience. From June 20 through August 15, these trips are especially popular on Wednesdays and select Tuesdays when local regulations give halibut a rest. The day starts with salmon trolling in productive local waters where kings and other salmon species cruise during prime season. Captain Justin knows these waters like the back of his hand, positioning the boat where currents and structure create those sweet spots salmon can't resist. After working the salmon bite, you'll transition to bottom fishing for rock fish – a completely different style that keeps the action varied and exciting. All your gear is provided, from rods and reels to tackle and terminal gear, plus you get hands-on instruction throughout the trip. Whether you're a seasoned angler or this is your first time holding a fishing rod, Captain Justin tailors the experience to match your skill level.
The beauty of this combo trip lies in experiencing two distinct fishing methods in one outing. For salmon, you'll learn trolling techniques that have been proven in Alaska waters for generations. This means running lures and bait behind the boat at specific speeds and depths where salmon are feeding. Captain Justin sets up the spread with downriggers and divers to get your offerings into the strike zone, teaching you how to read the sonar and spot the telltale signs of fish below. When a salmon hits, you'll feel that distinctive headshaking fight that makes these fish legendary. The transition to rock fish fishing is like switching from hunting to gathering – instead of covering water, you're dropping straight down to productive bottom structure. Using heavier tackle and multi-hook rigs, you'll learn how to feel the bottom, work your bait in the current, and detect those subtle bites that signal a rock fish has found your offering. The bottom fishing technique is more relaxed but equally rewarding, especially when you connect with a chunky yelloweye or black bass that's been living on the reef for years.
"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 Alaska's rock fish scene, and they're absolute table fare champions. These fish hang around rocky structure and kelp beds, typically weighing anywhere from 2 to 8 pounds with the occasional bruiser pushing double digits. They're aggressive feeders that hit hard and fight dirty, using every rock and crevice to try breaking you off. What makes black sea bass special is their willingness to bite throughout the day – morning, noon, or afternoon, they're usually ready to eat. Peak season runs from June through early September when they're most active in the shallower waters where you'll be fishing. Anglers love them because they're scrappy fighters and absolutely delicious on the dinner table with firm, white meat that's perfect for fish and chips or grilling.
Yelloweye Rockfish are the old-timers of the reef, sometimes called "red snapper" by locals though they're not related to their southern cousins. These gorgeous fish sport bright yellow eyes and mottled red and orange coloration that makes them stand out in any cooler. They're typically found in deeper water around rocky structure, growing slowly and living for decades – some of the bigger specimens you might hook could be 50 years old or more. Yelloweye are prized for their excellent eating qualities and the surprise factor when one comes up from the depths. They don't fight as hard as black bass, but their size and the excitement of not knowing what's coming up until you see those distinctive yellow eyes makes every hookup special. June through August is prime time when they're most accessible in the depths you'll be fishing.
Chinook Salmon, the kings of Alaska waters, are what every angler dreams about when trolling these productive areas. These fish are built for power, with thick shoulders and that distinctive black-spotted back that identifies them even from a distance. During prime season from late June through mid-August, kings move through Homer's waters in good numbers, following bait schools and feeding heavily before heading to their spawning grounds. What makes chinooks special is their size potential – while you might hook a smaller jack salmon in the 8-10 pound range, mature kings can push 20, 30, or even 40 pounds. They're renowned for their long, powerful runs and ability to strip line off your reel in seconds. The meat is rich and oily, perfect for grilling, smoking, or canning. Landing a king salmon on this combo trip often becomes the highlight story that anglers tell for years afterward.
At $450 per person (plus Homer's 7.85% local tax), this world-class fishing experience delivers serious value for a full day on the water. The combination of salmon trolling and rock fish bottom fishing gives you variety that keeps the day interesting, while Captain Justin's local knowledge puts you on fish when other boats are struggling. These mid-week trips fill up fast, especially during the peak summer season when visiting anglers discover this is the perfect alternative to closed halibut days. The customer favorite timing from June
Fish Alaska's productive waters aboard this reliable 26-foot aluminum Almar, designed specifically for Homer's challenging conditions. Powered by a dependable Evinrude 150, this stable platform handles both salmon trolling and bottom fishing for rockfish with ease. The full heater system keeps you comfortable during those early morning departures and cooler evening bites, while onboard radar ensures safe navigation when coastal fog rolls in. Built tough for Alaskan waters, this boat accommodates up to 6 anglers with plenty of room to work the lines and land fish. Whether you're targeting lingcod in rocky structure or pulling bright silver salmon from the surface, this vessel delivers the stability and comfort you need for a productive day on Kachemak Bay's productive fishing grounds.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are plump-bodied fighters from the grouper family that typically run 2-4 pounds, though you might hook into one pushing 8+ pounds if you're lucky. They're bottom dwellers that love rocky structure, wrecks, and old pilings in depths under 120 feet. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move closer to shore and become more active. What makes them fun is the solid fight they put up until they break the surface - then they tend to give up quick. The meat is excellent table fare with firm, white flesh. Males turn bright blue during spawning season and develop a distinctive hump on their heads, which is pretty cool to see. They're mostly bottom feeders but will hit jigs and plugs too. Here's a local tip: use a two-hook rig with squid strips and fish it right on the bottom near structure - that's where the bigger males hang out.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook Salmon, or Kings as we call them, are the heavyweight champions of salmon - typically 15-30 pounds in these waters, though 40+ pounders show up every season. They're silver-sided with blue-green backs and black spots, plus that telltale black mouth and gums. During our summer combo trips from June through August, we target them trolling in 60-150 feet of water where they're feeding on herring and other baitfish. What makes Kings special is that bone-jarring strike and the way they'll peel line off your reel in long, powerful runs. The meat is rich and oily with that deep red color - perfect for grilling or smoking. They're light-sensitive, so they tend to stay deeper during bright days. Best tip for landing more Kings: keep your lures moving at the right speed - too fast or slow and they'll ignore you. We'll dial in the trolling speed based on conditions.
Sebastes RuberrimusYelloweye Rockfish are some of the most beautiful fish you'll pull up from the deep - those bright yellow eyes and orange-red bodies really stand out. These are serious rockfish that can live over 100 years and grow to impressive sizes, with most catches running 5-15 pounds but 25+ pounders definitely possible in Alaska waters. They live deep, typically 100-600 feet down around rocky reefs and boulder fields where they spend their entire lives in the same general area. Summer months are best when we're targeting them during our combo trips. The meat is absolutely top-notch - sweet and delicate, some say it's the best eating rockfish around. The challenge is getting them up from those depths and wrestling them away from the rocks they call home. My advice: use heavy jigs and get ready to pull hard right after hookup - if you let them get back into the rocks, you'll lose them every time.
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