Peak Season Kasilof Halibut Fishing Adventure
Shared Trip
Inshore Fishing
Peak season halibut fishing from June through JulyShared 8hour trips with experienced Kasilof River guidesSmall group nearshore fishing for all skill levels
There's something special about Kasilof during halibut season that keeps anglers coming back year after year. From June through mid-July, these waters light up with some of the best Pacific halibut action Alaska has to offer. This shared 8-hour trip puts you right in the heart of it all, drifting the productive nearshore waters where the big flatfish come to feed. You'll be fishing alongside our seasoned local guide who knows these waters like the back of their hand, plus up to three other anglers who share your passion for hooking into Alaska's most prized bottom fish. At $375 per person, this top-rated Kasilof experience delivers serious value during peak season when the halibut are most active and hungry.
Your day starts early at our Kasilof launch point, where you'll meet your guide and fellow anglers for the morning brief. We keep groups small – maximum four people – so everyone gets personalized attention and plenty of rod time. The boat heads out into Cook Inlet's productive nearshore zones, where depths range from 60 to 150 feet and the bottom structure holds everything halibut love to eat. You'll be drift fishing most of the day, which means letting the current carry the boat while your bait works the bottom. This technique is deadly effective for halibut and gives everyone an equal shot at hooking up. Your guide handles all the navigation, finding the fish, and coaching you through the fights. All you need to focus on is keeping your bait on the bottom and being ready when that rod tip bounces. The scenery doesn't hurt either – you'll have views of the Kenai Mountains and Alaska Range that remind you why this place is so special.
We fish with heavy conventional reels spooled with 80-pound braid and circle hooks ranging from 12/0 to 16/0 depending on conditions. The sinkers run anywhere from 16 to 32 ounces – whatever it takes to keep your bait on the bottom in the current. Fresh herring, salmon bellies, and occasionally octopus make up the bait selection, and your guide will rig everything for maximum effectiveness. The key to halibut fishing is feeling the bottom and keeping contact with your weight. When a halibut picks up your bait, you'll feel the classic tick-tick-tick as they mouth it before swimming off. That's when you let them run, count to ten, then come tight on them. Circle hooks do the work – no need for a big hook set that might pull the bait away. Once you're hooked up, it's all about steady pressure and letting the fish tire itself out. Halibut are notorious for their bulldogging fights, making long runs toward the bottom before finally coming to the surface. Your guide will be right there coaching you through every step and handling the net when it's time.
Pacific halibut are the kings of Alaska's bottom fish, and for good reason. These flatfish can live over 50 years and reach weights exceeding 400 pounds, though most fish you'll encounter range from 20 to 80 pounds – still plenty of fish to put a serious bend in your rod. Halibut start life swimming upright like regular fish, but around six months old, their left eye migrates to the right side of their head and they settle onto the bottom as ambush predators. They're incredibly efficient hunters, burying themselves in sand or mud with just their eyes exposed, waiting for herring, cod, salmon, and other prey to swim overhead. During Kasilof's peak season from June through mid-July, mature halibut move into shallower nearshore waters to feed heavily after spawning. This makes them more accessible to recreational anglers and puts them in an aggressive feeding mood. The fight is what hooks most people – halibut don't jump or make flashy runs, but they pull with incredible power and endurance. Landing a 50-pound halibut feels like trying to winch up a barn door that's fighting back. Plus, they're fantastic eating. The white, flaky meat is considered some of the best fish on the planet, making every successful trip a win for both the fishing experience and your freezer back home.
Peak season halibut fishing in Kasilof books up fast, and for good reason. June through mid-July represents the absolute best window for targeting these fish in Alaska's nearshore waters. The combination of post-spawn feeding activity, warmer water temperatures, and longer daylight hours creates perfect conditions for both fish and anglers. This shared trip format gives you access to professional guiding and prime fishing grounds at a price point that's tough to beat. Your guide brings decades of local knowledge, from reading the tides and currents to finding the structure that holds fish. The 8-hour timeframe gives you a full day to experience different techniques, move between productive spots, and maximize your chances of taking home a cooler full of premium halibut fillets. With a minimum of two and maximum of four anglers, you're guaranteed personal attention while still enjoying the camaraderie that makes shared fishing trips so memorable. Don't wait on this one – peak season dates fill up months in advance, and once July 15th rolls around, you'll be waiting until next year for another shot at Kasilof's world-class halibut fishing.
Your Kasilof halibut adventure starts aboard our reliable 21' Fish Rite drift boat, perfectly designed for Alaska's productive inshore waters. This stable platform handles the Kasilof River and nearby halibut grounds with ease, powered by a 9HP motor that quietly cruises at 6 knots—ideal for approaching fishing spots without spooking the fish. The spacious deck comfortably accommodates up to 8 anglers, giving everyone plenty of room to work their lines and land those prized Pacific halibut. Our onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating productive bottom structure where halibut love to feed, while GPS navigation ensures we hit all the prime spots efficiently. The built-in icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during those long summer days on the water. Whether you're drift fishing the river mouth or working the nearshore grounds, this well-equipped boat puts you right where the action is during peak halibut season.
Kasilof, AK