Homer's Midweek Rockfish & Salmon Adventure Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Weekday multispecies fishing targeting rockfish, salmon, and lingcodSixhour trips limited to small groups of six guestsAll equipment and instruction provided by experienced guides
When the regular halibut crowd clears out on weekdays, that's when the real fun begins. Sweet Action Charter's weekday special is built for anglers who want to mix things up and target multiple species without the weekend hustle. Running exclusively on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from May 15-31, this six-hour adventure puts you on rockfish, salmon, and lingcod once the season opens after July 1st. With just six guests max, you'll get personalized attention and plenty of elbow room to work your lines. At $600 plus Homer's local tax, it's a solid deal for prime fishing time when the charter boats aren't fighting for the same spots.
This isn't your typical halibut grind – we're mixing up techniques and targeting whatever's biting best that day. The beauty of this multispecies approach is you never know what's coming up next. One minute you're pulling up a chunky yelloweye rockfish from the depths, the next you've got a feisty lingcod trying to shake your hook. The six-hour window gives us plenty of time to hit different spots and adjust our game plan based on conditions and fish activity. Homer's waters are famous for good reason, and weekdays mean we can work the prime areas without the weekend traffic. Small group size keeps things relaxed and gives everyone plenty of chances to get their lines wet. Captain and crew handle all the details – you just need to show up ready to fish.
We'll be switching between trolling for salmon and dropping down for bottom fish, depending on what's working best. All rods, reels, and tackle are provided, so you don't need to haul your own gear unless you want to. For the salmon, we'll typically troll with downriggers, covering water at different depths until we find where they're holding. When we're targeting rockfish and lingcod, it's all about getting down to structure with heavy jigs and bait. The crew will walk you through each technique and help you feel the difference between a fish bite and just dragging bottom. If you're new to either method, don't worry – the learning curve isn't steep, and the fish don't care if it's your first time. Experienced anglers will appreciate the quality gear and the captain's knowledge of local hotspots that produce consistently.
Lingcod are the heavyweight fighters of this trip once they open after July 1st. These aggressive predators can hit 20-30 pounds and fight like they're twice that size. They're ambush hunters that lurk around rocky structure, so when you hook one, expect a serious tug-of-war. What makes lingcod special is their attitude – they'll hit almost anything that moves past their territory, making them a blast to target with jigs and live bait. The best part is watching one come up from the depths, mouth open, trying to swallow everything in sight.
Yelloweye rockfish are the prize of the rockfish family around Homer. These bright red beauties can live over 100 years and grow to impressive sizes. They're found in deeper water around rocky reefs and tend to be more selective feeders than their cousins. When you hook a yelloweye, you'll know it – they fight with surprising strength for a bottom fish and their distinctive coloring makes them easy to identify. They're excellent table fare and a favorite target for anglers who appreciate both the challenge and the reward.
Chinook salmon are the kings for good reason. Homer's waters see strong runs of these powerful fish, especially during the spring and early summer months. These aren't your average salmon – we're talking fish that can push 20-40 pounds and provide fights that'll test your skills and equipment. Chinooks are known for their long, powerful runs and their habit of jumping when hooked. They're also prized for their rich, fatty meat that's perfect for grilling or smoking. The key to success is covering water and finding the depth where they're feeding.
Pacific halibut might not be the main target on this trip, but they're always a possibility when you're fishing Homer's productive waters. These flatfish are the ultimate prize for many Alaska anglers – they can grow to barn-door sizes and provide battles that can last 20 minutes or more. Even smaller halibut in the 10-30 pound range are excellent eating and fun to catch. They're ambush predators that lie buried in sand or mud, waiting for bait fish to swim by. When a halibut hits, you'll feel that distinctive head shake that lets you know you've got something special on the line.
This weekday special fills up fast with locals and visitors who know a good deal when they see it. Six guests max means intimate trips that sell out quickly, especially during the prime May season when everything's waking up after winter. The $600 rate plus tax is competitive for what you're getting – six hours of guided fishing, all gear included, and access to spots that produce consistently. Keep in mind deposits are non-refundable, so make sure your dates work before you commit. Tuesdays and Wednesdays only means limited availability, but it also means you're fishing when conditions are typically calmer and the fish are less pressured. If you're looking for variety over volume and want to experience Homer's fishing without the crowds, this multispecies approach delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for.
Hit the waters around Homer aboard this rugged 26-foot aluminum Almar, perfectly rigged for Alaska's challenging conditions. Powered by a reliable Evinrude 150, this stable platform handles up to 6 anglers comfortably while you target rockfish, salmon, and lingcod on this special weekday multispecies trip. The heated cabin keeps you warm between hook-ups, while onboard radar ensures safe navigation when visibility drops. Built tough for Alaska's waters, this boat gets you to productive fishing grounds and back safely. All rods, reels, and tackle included—just bring your fishing license and get ready for some serious bottom fishing and trolling action in Kachemak Bay.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the largest of all salmon species and the prize fish of Alaska waters. They average 15-25 pounds here, but 40+ pounders show up regularly. These silver-sided beauties with black-spotted backs are built for power - when one hits, you'll know it. We find them in open water and near structure, often deeper during bright days since they're light-sensitive. Early morning and evening tend to be best. The reddish-orange meat is top-shelf eating, and the fight is what fishing dreams are made of - long runs and hard pulls that'll test your gear. Since kings are sensitive to light, we often fish them deeper with downriggers. My advice: when trolling, vary your speed occasionally. A slight speed change can trigger a strike from a fish that's been following your bait.
Ophiodon ElongatusDespite the name, lingcod aren't actually cod but greenlings with a gnarly look - huge teeth, spiny fins, and mottled coloring that helps them blend into rocky bottom structure. They're ambush predators that hang out in 30-300 feet around reefs and kelp beds, staying put most of the time until something swims by. We can target them after July 1st when the season opens. Most run 5-15 pounds, but Alaska produces some real monsters over 30 pounds. They fight hard but won't run far - they'd rather duke it out right where you hook them. The meat is excellent eating too. My tip: once you get one away from the rocks, keep steady pressure because they'll try to dive right back into their lair if you give them slack.
Hippoglossus StenolepisPacific halibut are the giants of the flatfish world and Alaska's most famous bottom fish. These diamond-shaped fighters can reach massive sizes - while 30-50 pounders are typical, 100+ pound "barn doors" aren't uncommon in our waters. They live on sandy and muddy bottoms from 150-500 feet, using their camouflaged brown coloring to ambush prey. Summer months are prime time when they move into shallower feeding areas. The fight is unique - they don't run like salmon but instead use their flat body like a sail, making for a tough battle to the surface. The pure white meat is incredibly sweet and versatile. Since they hunt by sight in shallower water and scent in deeper water, I like to bounce the rod tip every few minutes to create movement and attract their attention to your bait.
Sebastes RuberrimusYelloweye rockfish are some of the most colorful fish we target, with bright yellow eyes and bodies that change from red to orange to yellow as they age. These guys live long - some over 100 years - and grow big, with 15-25 pounders common in our waters. They live deep on rocky reefs from 60 feet down to several hundred feet, getting deeper as they get older. The meat is sweet and flaky, making them a favorite for the dinner table. They don't fight as hard as some species, but their size makes up for it. Since they live around rocky structure, you'll want to get them up and away from the bottom quickly once hooked. I always tell guests to keep steady pressure and don't give them a chance to duck back into the rocks where they can break you off.
Alaska