Big Dan’s Fishing Charters and Riverfront Lodge
Homer, Seward, and Soldotna, Alaska Fishing Charters
Kenai Riverfront Lodging
Spring DIY Black Bear and Fall Sitka Blacktail Deer Hunt Live Aboard Charters
Trip Advisor Travelers’ Choice Award Recipient
2022, 2023, and 2024
Kenai Peninsula Fishing
Big Dan’s Fishing Charters offers the best saltwater fishing trips in Homer and Seward, plus outstanding river charters on the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers! We also offer fall Sitka Blacktail deer hunting transporter services on Kodiak Island in the fall and in Homer in the spring for black bear. We have an excellent reputation that we take pride in, and as a result our customer return rates are high. Our Homer fishing trips target 1-5 different species depending on the area fished, including halibut, salmon, rockfish, lingcod, Pacific cod, and yelloweye. In Seward we fish for halibut, salmon, Pacific cod, lingcod and rockfish. Back at home base at our lodge right on the Kenai River, we offer river charters for king, sockeye and silver salmon, as well as salmon charters on the Kasilof River. Anglers staying in one of our fully-furnished vacation homes located on our riverfront property can access the river to fish unguided right from our property. We offer competitive rates for lodging and a variety of guided charter trips.
Black Bear and Sitka Blacktail Deer Live Aboard Hunting Transports
In the spring and fall, Big Dan’s focus on hunting transports, mainly for Prince William Sound black bear and Kodiak deer. These are live aboard trips with transportation and all meal provided. During the day unguided hunters take to the field then return to the boat to rest on their schedule. You can process your game with the comfort of our deck. Fishing is an offered bonus during your Alaska hunting trips with Big Dan’s vessel-based DIY hunts.
Three Prime Fishing Locations
Big Dan’s Fishing Charters offer full day and overnight charters out of Homer, full day or overnight Seward fishing charters, as well as guided salmon fishing on the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers. Homer is the Halibut Capital of the World and the fishing is nearly always great! Enjoy the views of snow-capped mountains and glaciers in Kachemak Bay. Seward’s Ressurrection Bay and beyond are on the list for many saltwater anglers, offering some of the best access in all of Alaska. Witnessing the natural show put on by Orcas, humpback whales, sea otters, seals, puffins, or sea lions could occur on your saltwater fishing excursion from either location, so be sure to bring your camera.
Kenai River Lodging with Fishing Gear and Processing Materials INCLUDED for DIY Anglers
Stay with us in in your own private 1, 2 or 3-bedroom fully equipped vacation rental at our riverfront lodge in Soldotna. There you can access the river from our property or fish right from our custom platforms with an added covered outdoor dining area right on the river. From the lodge you can fish unguided and have everything you need to process your catch. We’ve even got gear you can borrow to make your fishing stay even easier.
Top Quality Fishing Boats, Crew and Gear
We have two Homer-based huge catamarans to choose from, the Game Changer and the Double Down. The BlackJack is our six pack vessel based in Seward for day trips. For our new Seward overnights, the Game Changer will base in Seward for those select dates. Our fleet is among the finest boats of all the Homer and Seward, Alaska fishing charters and the Kenai Peninsula. Captain Dan and Sarah Spies truly value quality and that reflects in your experience at every level.
Give Sarah a call and we will help plan the fishing trip you’ve always imagined!
The Fleet
The Double Down
The F/V Double Down is our brand new 50-foot Catamaran that easily fishes 12 anglers. We couldn’t be happier with our new custom built boat from Brix Marine. This new boat is is the most incredible charter boat in Homer, only ahead of our other boat the Game Changer. The Double Down was nominated by the editors of WorkBoat Magazine as one of the 10 Significant Boats of 2022 and is the first fishing charter boat ever nominated!
The Game Changer
Our F/V Game Changer is our 42’ Catamaran- 12 passenger vessel. This boat will feel like you are at home on the water. It’s loaded with luxurious accommodations that provides you with first class comfort while on the ocean. In addition to elusive amenities, this vessel is suited with quad 425 Yamaha motors equaling 1700 horsepower! That means less time traveling and more time fishing. We also have 2 deckhands on board to ensure you get a quality trip. Game Changer is massive and comfortable. Guests love it for day trips and overnights.
The Blackjack
The F/V Blackjack is a 31-foot, 6-passenger, single hull vessel with comfortable seating, sleeping berth, microwave, coffee maker, and bathroom. The Blackjack’s twin 300 Yamaha motors get you to your Seward fishing spot fast.
Not only do the Double Down, Game Changer and Blackjack have all the amenities you could ask for, they also have the speed to get you to your fishing destinations faster than most other boats. We have top of the line equipment to ensure that your fishing experience is exceptional. We have very experienced captains that not only love to fish, but they love to have a good time. You won’t have to worry about having an inexperienced captain. Our captains have the utmost respect for clients and want to ensure that you get the most out of your vacation. We know you will have an experience to remember!
The Fleet
The Double Down
The F/V Double Down is our brand new 50-foot Catamaran that easily fishes 12 anglers. We couldn’t be happier with our new custom built boat from Brix Marine. This new boat is is the most incredible charter boat in Homer, only ahead of our other boat the Game Changer. The Double Down was nominated by the editors of WorkBoat Magazine as one of the 10 Significant Boats of 2022 and is the first fishing charter boat ever nominated!
The Game Changer
Our F/V Game Changer is our 42’ Catamaran- 12 passenger vessel. This boat will feel like you are at home on the water. It’s loaded with luxurious accommodations that provides you with first class comfort while on the ocean. In addition to elusive amenities, this vessel is suited with quad 425 Yamaha motors equaling 1700 horsepower! That means less time traveling and more time fishing. We also have 2 deckhands on board to ensure you get a quality trip. Game Changer is massive and comfortable. Guests love it for day trips and overnights.
The Blackjack
The F/V Blackjack is a 31-foot, 6-passenger, single hull vessel with comfortable seating, sleeping berth, microwave, coffee maker, and bathroom. The Blackjack’s twin 300 Yamaha motors get you to your Seward fishing spot fast.
Not only do the Double Down, Game Changer and Blackjack have all the amenities you could ask for, they also have the speed to get you to your fishing destinations faster than most other boats. We have top of the line equipment to ensure that your fishing experience is exceptional. We have very experienced captains that not only love to fish, but they love to have a good time. You won’t have to worry about having an inexperienced captain. Our captains have the utmost respect for clients and want to ensure that you get the most out of your vacation. We know you will have an experience to remember!
Big Dan’s Kenai Riverfront Fishing Lodge
Formerly Smokin’ Joe’s Lodge, Big Dan’s Riverfront Lodge is conveniently located 2 miles from the center of Soldotna, Alaska. Big Dan’s Fishing Charters is excited to add Soldotna lodging to the list of adventures we provide. Each cabin comes with:
Kenai River | Guided Salmon Fishing
Big Dan’s Fishing offers Kenai River fishing for kings, reds and silvers. These trips are super fun with our river guide Nate, AKA the Vanilla Gorilla. Captain Nate will pick you up in our quiet slough right beside our Kenai Riverfront lodge. You can stay with us at the lodge and be right there to fish in the morning. We can also provide Kasilof River king fishing trips for those who wish to harvest kings. On the Kenai we encourage catch and release fishing for kings, while sockeye and coho are more abundant and great for harvest.
Read About Us in Fish Alaska Magazine
Big Dan’s Fishing Charters: A Shared Experience Aboard the Game Changer
Arriving early in the morning at the Homer dock, we met our boat mates, new friends we would be fishing with for the next 48 hours. My buddy, Dave Atcheson, and I were both excited to be there. We reside on the Kenai Peninsula and get to fish a lot, yet each new Alaskan adventure can be epic, to be reminisced about for decades to come. Joining us on this adventure would be a group of three from California, a couple from Ohio and four brothers from various states. Our common denominator was being stricken with enthusiasm for the coming adventure. [Read More]
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