Halibut fishing guides in Homer???

We will be staying around Soldatna and want to go Halibut fishing while we are their and are thinking Homer is the place to go? Anyone have a good guide in the homer area for Halibut? We are looking at one guide that is $225.00 for a day per person and five to a boat? So 1125.00 for the boat for the day, plus tips. Anyone know anyone that is still a good guide and knows the fish, but can beat the price? I realize people have to make some money, but just seems a little steep me? Maybe I am totally in the wrong and have know clue what the going price is? Any referals would be great! Thanks in advance!

I think you'll find that $225 is a decent price. $250 seems to be the average price. You can google up plenty of charters, but I've used Bob's Trophy Charters with good results. He does cost a bit more at the figure I quoted above. Go to www.ourdoorsdirectory.com and click on the saltwater forum. This is the Alaska Fishing Forum. You will find info about Homer charters and the folks who use specific charters regularly.

If you're staying in Soldotna, you may want to check charters in Ninilchik/Deep Creek. Homer is approx 70 miles south of Soldotna. Fishing out of Ninilchik will generally get you fishing inside of an hour, depending on what you are looking for. Homer can be somewhat longer. You can probably find some slightly cheaper, as I have seen prices from $215-260ish. You will not find "bargain" charters, except possibly a half day charter in the $105-125 range.

These are normal prices and are not "steep" for Alaska Halibut fishing. If you can swing it, just bite the bullet and enjoy yourself. Also, with 5, you will most likely have the boat to yourself, but since most boats are "6-Packs", there's always the possibility of having a single placed with you. Something to keep in mind.

If you choose to go to Homer, do not leave on the charter without your Homer Halibut Derby ticket. $10 is a small price to pay on the off-chance you catch a HUGE halibut. The possibility exists for a $40K win.

Good luck and make sure you post some pictures and tell us how you did.

Garion33

LAST EDITED ON Jul-01-11 AT 05:54AM (MST)[p]Yes, don't forget your $10 derby ticket if you go out of Homer. My good buddy, Chad Aldridge, just caught a 350lb monster last weekend and is leading the derby.
Here's a great guy to go Halibut fishing with. He's out of Ninilchik, Lynn Keogh. 800 478-5396. Be sure to get him to tell you the story when he was attacked by a Brown bear a few years ago.


Colorado Lion Hunt:

Mineshaft Lion Hunt:
http://trophyroom.com/video/lls8ViwJcT

I was just up there two weeks ago and fished with Capt. Pete out of Homer:

http://captpete.com/

We caught a ton of fish and had a blast. We were up there with family friends who live in Alaska and fish with Pete a few times every year. I also agree with the guys above, don't forget to buy a derby ticket. You never know what you could hook into. Good luck!

I like fishing out of Ninilchik or Deep creek. Don't have to run as far, its typically cheaper, and you'll catch just as many fish.

The thing about going out of Homer or Seward is you ahve to go farther, but you have a chance to catch something else besides halibut.

I fished with Ninilchik Charters last week. We did well, and will be going back later this summer.

I go out every summer with Ninilchik Saltwater Charters and Lodge Ninilchik, Alaska
1-800-382-3611. We have caught some barn doors. I think the biggest we got to the boat is 300lbs. but they will constantly get you on 120-250 pounder all day long. I think they are $250 a day but you can get a group discount. They know exactly where the fish are and are awesome. Plus they vacuum seal and flash freeze you fish and you pick up the next day which is the bomb. Give them a call they are awesome.

"they will constantly get you on 120-250 pounder all day long"

They should have bought a derby ticket.....they would have won it several times if they can catch 250 lbers all day long. That is an amazing claim.




Colorado Lion Hunt:

Mineshaft Lion Hunt:
http://trophyroom.com/video/lls8ViwJcT

Thanks everyone for the input! Some real nice guys on here! I will have to post some pics. We are heading out the 10th through the 17th so I will post some pics when I get back. Thanks again.

>I think the biggest
>we got to the boat
>is 300lbs. but they will
>constantly get you on 120-250
>pounder all day long.

Thats quite a claim. The average halibut caught in Cook Inlet is 18lbs. I did see them with a 250lber hanging on the rack a couple weekends ago... right along with 11 'chickens' in the 15-20lb range.

If you boat a 50-60lber or two in a day, you'll be doing better than most of the guide boats out there. Those guys fish for a living, they all 'know' where the fish are.

Big fish are found just about anywhere, but the odds of hoking into multiple 60+lb fish increase the farther you get out of Homer... like 60-70 miles.