Halibut Fishing
Homer Ocean Charters has been fishing for halibut out of Homer since 1979!
We offer 3/4 day, full-day, and multi-day adventures. These trips can target single species, or branch out to get a more diversified experience! The waters of Kachemak Bay and the surrounding area are home to unique species such as halibut, salmon, rockfish, lingcod, and more. Our season for halibut begins as early as May and concludes mid-September. The limit on Halibut in this area is two per day. One of these fish can be any size, the other must be smaller than 28 inches.
For all of our fishing trips, you will need to purchase a fishing license and bring your drinks, snacks, and meals for the day. You never know what the weather is going to do out on the ocean, so it’s best to be prepared with warm layers of clothing and light rain gear. Our knowledgeable office staff can help you with any fishing questions, as well as arrange lodging, flightseeing, kayaking, bear viewing, water taxi services, and many other activities while you are in Homer!
Add the name of your id here to allow for smooth scroll access
Full-Day Halibut Trip
Check-in at the office is at 6:30 a.m. for a 7 a.m. departure! We will answer any last questions you may have, provide you with free coffee, introduce you to your captain, and send you on your adventure! Your captain will escort you to his boat. Once onboard, you will be given a safety briefing, fill out the necessary paperwork, and set sail.
The ride out to the fishing grounds will be anywhere from 45 minutes to a couple of hours. Yes, we travel a long way sometimes; our goal is to provide you with the best halibut fishing experience possible! The trip is more than your basic boat ride, however. We usually travel near the beautiful shoreline and regularly see sea otters, whales, puffins, and other sea life. You never know what you’re going to spot so be sure to bring your camera!
Once at the fishing grounds, you will be given instruction on proper halibut fishing techniques. Your hook will be baited, and the halibut will be handled for you. Our crew is there to help at all times! As every day of fishing is different, we may stay in one spot or move to several locations. Following every fishing trip, your fish will be filleted for you, free of charge. Sometimes, we will bring them in and hang them in front of the office for pictures and weights. If this is the case, feel free to browse through our awesome merchandise collection while you wait!
Add the name of your id here to allow for smooth scroll access
3/4 Day Halibut Trip
If your time in Homer is limited or you decide you want to try fishing for a little less than a full day this is a great option for you! As with any fishing trip, you never know what will bite! This is a fantastic way to ease into halibut fishing if you have never gone before. However, If you are a serious angler we highly recommend a full-day trip!
The 3/4 fishing trip begins with a 7:30 am check-in for an 8:00 a.m. departure! In the office, we will answer any last questions, provide you with free coffee, and help you find the perfect Homer Ocean t-shirt or hat. Your captain will greet you at our office and escort you to his boat. Once on the boat, you will be given a safety briefing, fill out the necessary paperwork, and set sail.
The ride out to the fishing grounds will be anywhere from one to two hours depending upon the fishing conditions. Although we don't travel as far and fish as long as a full-day charter, your captain and crew will work hard to provide you with good fishing. Once you're at the fishing grounds, you will be given instruction on the proper halibut fishing technique. Our deckhands are there to help at all times! When fishing is complete, we will return to Homer and fillet your fish on the ride home. You will return to the harbor between 2 and 3 p.m. If you would like, we can arrange for your fish to be processed and either shipped or packaged for you to take along.
We have a minimum necessary capacity on these charters and on occasion, we will work with other qualified charter companies to ensure that you get out fishing on the day you request.
FAQ
Q. What will we catch?
There is a large variety of fish in Kachemak Bay! The most common species are king salmon, silver salmon, pink salmon, halibut, rockfish, and lingcod. These fish range in all different sizes and are each truely unique in their fight. There are a few other extremely rare species like octopus, salmon sharks, wolf eels and more that you could potentialy catch! You honestly never know what is going to bite!
Q. What do we do with our fish now?
Your fish will either be filleted on the way back or in front of our office! From there you have a few options:
- First, you could take it with you in a filleted form. We will provide trash bags to put it in. However, you will need to bring a cooler and ice if you are planning on this option! If you have a processor you use in Kenai or a means to process the fish yourself this is a great option.
- Second, you could have it processed in Homer. We highly recommend Homer Fish Processing. They will pick it up from the dock, clean it, vacuum seal it, and flash freeze it. This process can be expedited for an additional fee if you are under a time constraint. From there it can either be boxed for transport as a checked piece of luggage or for shipping. Pricing and more information is on their website. Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions!
Q. We prefer a particular boat. What are our options?
You may request to go on a particular vessel depending on its size. Some people prefer the stability and comfort of a larger vessel and others prefer six passenger vessels. At Homer Ocean Charters, we have the best of both. Be sure to ask us about options available for children. A ride along passenger may be accommodated! Gives us a call for more information.
All activities require a minimum number of anglers to launch the trip. At Homer Ocean Charters we make every effort to honor all requests but occasionally circumstances might require us to change boat assignments.
New 2024 Halibut Fishing Regulations from the IPHC
• Limit of two halibut per day. If taking two one must be 28 inches or smaller. (up from 26 inches!)
• Halibut charter fishing is open 6 days a week in the peak season (Thursdays through Tuesdays)
• No seasonal catch limit! (up from 4 fish a year per person!)
Q. What do we need to bring?
Be sure to bring all your necessary items. Food, warm clothing, hats, gloves and rain gear. A camera and binoculars could come in handy as there is an abundance of spectacular wildlife and scenery. We offer free coffee in our office to help get you going in the morning! For fishing purposes, you will be required to have a fishing license. If you would like to fish for king salmon, a salmon tag is required. Licenses and stamps can be purchased online at www.adfg.alaska.gov.
Q. Do you have shirts and hats available?
Why yes we do! We have T-shirts, sweatshirts, and an assortment of hats.
Give us a call us today! Our staff would be happy to assist you!
