Halibut Fishing Charters in Homer, Alaska
Quick details
about halibut charters
Seasonality
Peak Season: June 1–Sept 4 (Labor Day)
Shoulder Seasons: May 1–31 and Sept 5–30
Availability
Not available Wednesdays
Not available Tuesdays between June 20–Aug 15
Trip Lengths
Full Day: 8–10 hours
3/4 Day: 6–8 hours
1/2 Day: 4–6 hours
Rates — See our Pricing page!
Group Charters (per seat): $335 – $405
Private Charters (whole boat): $1,410 – $2,130
Fuel Surcharge
Additional $25 per seat
Departure Time
7 a.m., unless otherwise arranged
Boat Location
Homer Harbor, Slip K2
halibut fishing with tenacious charters
Halibut fishing in Homer, Alaska is sort of a big deal. There’s even a sign on the way into town, declaring it “The Halibut Fishing Capital of the World!”
Tenacious Charters offers a variety of trip lengths and options to suit experienced and beginner anglers alike, and aims to make every halibut fishing trip fun and productive. We’re an owner-operated company and we take pride in our business!
Our boat takes up to 6 anglers per day, including kids. You can purchase by-the-seat on our Group Charters, or reserve the boat for your party on a Private Charter.
Choose to focus your time on halibut on a single-species charter, or check out our Multi-Species Trips if you want to target halibut along with either salmon or rockfish.
We provide all the necessary bait, tackle and gear needed to go fishing, along with helpful instruction. You’ll need to pack your own food & water, as well as good outdoor clothing and your fishing license. A sense of adventure is always good to bring along, too!
If you’re not sure of the right option, give us a call at (907) 891-7009 and we can talk about what you’re interested in and offer suggestions.
What is the best time of year to go halibut fishing in Homer, Alaska?
Halibut are caught most abundantly in Homer during the peak months of June, July and August but can still be effectively targeted typically beginning in May and through the end of September.
Halibut spend the winter months breeding in deeper waters outside our fishing grounds, and annual changes in these migratory patterns will impact their density in Kachemak Bay and Cook Inlet throughout the year.
Our rates are discounted slightly in the shoulder months of both May and September to account for fish abundance and weather, but there is still good opportunity to catch.
How do you fish for halibut?
Halibut are bottom fish and are targeted by dropping a weighed lure close to the ocean floor. Halibut can be found living on a variety of ocean bottoms, including rocky, sandy or kelp-filled areas. They can live in deep or shallow water, so you may be fishing in as little as 30 feet or as deep as 300+ feet!
Herring is a common bait used, but every captain has their own unique preferences and tricks up their sleeves. Sport-fisherman commonly use circle hooks, which improves the survival rate of any fish, if released.
Your captain may opt to anchor for the day, or may drift over a stretch or structure of the ocean floor. You might fish in one location or multiple spots throughout the day. Wind and tides are often the largest factors to consider when planning a location to fish.
What is the average size halibut?
The average size halibut brought in by anglers in Homer is approximately 15 lbs.
Big halibut exceeding 100+lbs are rare, but you never know when the big one will strike. You may get to reel in a fish as big as you!
We do regularly see halibut in the 25–50 pound range, particularly on halibut-only full-day trips.
As males tend to top out around 70 lbs, the largest fish are breeding females.
Am I guaranteed to catch halibut?
While we do have some of the most productive halibut fishing in the world, landing a fish is never a certainty, so we’d be wrong to make any guarantees! We all know the saying, “that’s why they call it fishing, not catching.”
That being said, is it far more often than not that each angler comes home with halibut for the freezer, particularly on full day, single-species halibut trips.
If conditions allow, all anglers will have the opportunity to catch halibut. What you do with that opportunity is up to you!
How do I get my halibut home?
Filleting service is included at no extra charge.
Getting your fish professionally vacuum-packed and frozen after filleting is highly recommended and maintains the highest flavor and quality of your fish.
Vacuum-packing, freezing & shipping services are available through a local fish processor, Homer Fish Processing. There is no need to arrange this service in advance.
Vacuum packing and freezing services are approximately $1.65 per pound, though prices may vary.
Shipping rates vary based on your desired location, but expect to spend a few hundred dollars to ship a medium-sized box.
The most cost-effective way to transport your fish home is as a checked bag/box on your flight, if your travel plans allow.
Airline-approved shipping boxes are available for purchase through Homer Fish Processing.
The fish processor in Homer can store your fish at no extra cost for a week or two, and the Ted Stevens Airport in Anchorage also offers Freezer Storage for ticketed passengers.
If properly packaged and blast-frozen, fish can stay safely frozen for around 48 hours in transit.
READY TO BOOK A trip?
Or, check out more of our trip offerings below!
COMBO FISHING
One of our more popular trips, a two-species combo charter is a great way to experience a mixture of fishing styles and techniques.
Choose two from halibut, salmon or rockfish, and bring home a unique variety of fillets!
Learn More
Salmon fishing
There’s nothing quite like a fight with a King!
Try your hand at trolling for King Salmon and other salmon species that feed in our waters. These elusive yet powerful fish are a total thrill to catch and are prized amongst locals.