Last Modified July 24, 2026

Welcome to our Homer fishing report, where we share how the saltwater season is unfolding out of Kachemak Bay aboard the Double Down, the Game Changer, and the Wanka. This is where you’ll find the latest on what’s biting, how conditions have been, and all the great catches and happy guests along the way.

200-Pound Halibut, and a Strong Opener

July 15, 2026

The Homer boats came out swinging for lingcod opener, and the good fishing barely let up from there. The Game Changer ran a multispecies trip with 12 guests who came home with great lingcod and halibut. The Double Down headed out on an overnight and came back with a halibut pushing 200 pounds on deck, along with fish ranging all the way from 45 pounds up to that giant, plus lingcod and rockfish to round things out. Not long after, the Game Changer and Wanka teamed up on a long range multispecies day trip, and the lingcod bite has stayed hot all month.

A rough weather day put a dent in the action, with bigger seas making for tougher fishing, but the crews still pulled together a solid turnout. Everyone came back strong the next day, with the Double Down returning from another overnight with a nice catch and the Game Changer and Wanka crews stacking up good hauls of their own, freezers filling up fast.

Working Around the Weather

The Game Changer ran a full boat out for lingcod and rockfish on one of the days we can’t keep halibut, and the group did plenty dang good with what they could target. A little later, weather scrapped a planned long range trip, but rather than cancel, the crews pivoted and still got guests into some really nice halibut. The next day the skies cooperated, and the Homer crews made the most of it, keeping lines busy from start to finish.

Yelloweye, Overnights, and a 140-Pound Halibut

The Double Down kicked off another overnighter with lings and yelloweye stacking up fast, while the Game Changer and Wanka crews filled their own decks with halibut, rockfish, and lingcod on the same stretch. The Double Down’s overnight wrapped up with some serious size, a few fish over 100 pounds and the biggest just over 140. The rest of the fleet matched the energy with great size lingcod of their own before rough water sent everyone in to take a breather and reset for what’s next.

Check open dates to join Big Dan’s out on the water!

A Great Month of Fishing in June

June 30, 2026

Homer had a lot going on this June, between strong halibut fishing and the season’s first overnight trip.

Early in the month the Wanka crew brought in a nice range of halibut between 15 and 60 pounds, a good sign of bigger fish moving in, and they kept grinding through some rough weather starts to make sure guests went home with fish. The Double Down rolled back into town from the season’s final bear transport, and Captain Billy and Tanner couldn’t resist squeezing in some fishing on the way back, landing two halibut over 100 pounds. Not long after, the Double Down ran its official first trip of the season with a full boat of 12, and everyone limited out, while the Wanka crew ran farther offshore hunting bigger halibut and did well for the day.

Mid June kept the momentum going. Groups had some variety in their trips, from quick outings to late-afternoon starts, and everyone came back happy with full freezers. Seas got a little rough at points, but that didn’t slow the fishing down much, and the good weather that followed made for some easy, enjoyable days on the water. Solid halibut in the 40 to 60 pound range kept coming off the boats as the month went on.

By late June we launched the first overnight trip of the season aboard the Double Down. The group dealt with some wind but came home with really nice fish, and it was a great group to kick off overnights on the right foot. One little angler landed a fish three times her size for the catch of a lifetime, and the annual end-of-June trip with friends wrapped up on the Double Down, closing out June halibut season. The next overnight is set for July 2, timed with the lingcod and yellow-eye opener, and we’re shifting into multispecies trips for July and August from here.

Early Season Report | May and Early June

June 5, 2026

We’re off to a solid start this season out of both Homer and Seward. The halibut have been showing up, the cod have been cooperative, and we’ve had some really good days on the water with some great groups of people.

Halibut have been the main event, which is no surprise. We’ve been finding some nice fish, and on the better days limits came together faster than anyone expected. One Homer group had their coolers full in about an hour and a half. Pacific cod and rockfish have filled out a lot of boxes too. If you haven’t kept cod before, it’s worth a second look. It’s a mild, flaky white fish that eats really well, and more and more anglers up here have been hanging on to them in recent years. A few early kings have shown up here and there, which is always a good sign for the season.

May was a mixed bag weather-wise. Some days were beautiful and some had us working through bumpy water, and we had a few folks who weren’t feeling the saltwater too well along the way. That’s spring in Alaska. The fish were still there and everyone came home with a catch, so no complaints.

One of the highlights of the season so far was a Homer trip where the group limited out early and we swung by Seldovia on the way back. That’s what it’s all about.

It hasn’t been all fishing either. Our bear transport crews have been busy, with multiple brown and black bears taken this spring. Big Dan just got back from his own bear hunt and has some photos you’re going to want to see. And because he can’t help himself, he went halibut fishing on that trip too.

Good start to the season. Looking forward to what June has in store. Check open dates.

2025 Fishing Report | A Look Back at Last Year on the Water

August Weather Tested Anglers but Delivered Some of the Biggest Hauls of the Season

August 29,  2025

August proved to be an exciting month for fishing in Homer and Seward, with a strong mix of halibut, lingcod, rockfish, and salmon action both offshore and from the docks. Our boats, the Double Down, Game Changer, Blackjack, and Wanka consistently delivered memorable trips despite some weather challenges.

Offshore Fishing Highlights

The first half of August saw some real banner days with the overnight charters Double Down and Game Changer returning loaded with great-sized halibut, alongside limits of lingcod and rockfish. Blackjack and Wanka also reported strong catches of a variety of species, including the occasional big lingcod and halibut. Weather played its part, with windy conditions forcing boats to fish closer to shore at times, but the crews adapted well and managed limits for most groups.

As the month progressed, the crews pushed through rough seas for their catches, demonstrating resilience and skill. Late August brought a string of excellent days marked by calm waters and sunny skies, allowing for beautiful scenic trips and full limits of halibut, lingcod, rockfish, and salmon for most groups aboard these top charters.

Despite occasional slow bites or rough weather days, guests enjoyed fantastic multispecies fishing, with silvers (coho salmon) continuing to run strong near shore, providing rewarding dock and guided trips. Overall, the offshore waters around Homer and Seward offered varied and thriving fishing opportunities for anglers targeting groundfish and salmon alike.

King Salmon & Coho Salmon

King salmon fishing in Kachemak Bay and Cook Inlet was reported as fair to improving throughout August, with the best king action near Bluff Point, Silver Ridge, and Point Pogibshi. Most anglers found success trolling herring, spoons, or hootchies behind flashers. Coho salmon fishing was more scattered, with the coho runs around Dudiak Lagoon wrapping up, though scattered reports of coho in Cook Inlet lingered. Anglers chasing coho often turned to trolling techniques similar to those used for kings.

Freshwater Fishing

In the Kenai Peninsula’s roadside streams, coho salmon were arriving steadily in the lower sections, providing fair to good fishing opportunities. Anglers found success fishing near river mouths during incoming tides or near daybreak using cured salmon roe or artificial eggs and spinners. Dolly varden fishing remained slow in the upper sections but can improve with bead drifting and cooler waters.

That’s a wrap for three of our four boats this season, and what a fantastic way to close out for our crews. The last few days of August were nothing short of amazing with great catches. The Double Down will continue running trips through mid-September, and there are still a few coveted spots left.

Interested anglers should reach out soon to secure their place before the season sells out.

July Delivers Kenai Sockeye Boom and Red-Hot Saltwater Action in Homer and Seward

July, 31, 2025

Late July  brought a mix of incredible fishing, memorable catches, and the occasional bout of rough weather for our crews and guests. Sockeye fishing on the Kenai River at our lodge hit its stride in late July, producing record days with over a million fish counted for the season by July 24. Guests were limiting out quickly, keeping the fish processors busy and freezers full.

Offshore action was equally impressive. The Double Down and Game Changer led the charge on overnight trips, hauling in big halibut, heavy lingcod, and rockfish limits, often returning with decks full and tired but happy crews. The Wanka and Blackjack kept pace on day trips, delivering a variety of catches that included halibut, rockfish, lingcod, and even the occasional shark. In fact, late July produced a surprise 185-pound shark on an overnight charter, shared later that evening at the lodge in true Alaska fashion, pan-fried over a fire and enjoyed by the group.

The last week of July saw some weather challenges, with July 25 bringing rough seas that tested our younger anglers, who handled it like pros. Once the skies cleared, the fishing stayed hot, with multispecies limits and even record-sized fish, including a 34-inch yelloweye and a 58-pound lingcod. By early August, the run of great catches continued. August 3 delivered two massive halibut on an overnight trip, while August 4 brought mixed hauls from Homer and Seward, including another shark sighting, whale shows, and sea lion encounters.

Mid-August held strong, with August 10 standing out as a banner day. The Double Down and Game Changer returned from overnighters with excellent halibut, lingcod, and rockfish limits, while Blackjack and Wanka also brought in quality catches. Throughout this stretch, both river and ocean fishing provided guests with unforgettable days, whether it was the steady sockeye action on the Kenai or the variety of species offshore. Between the fish, the wildlife encounters, and the camaraderie, this was Alaska fishing at its finest.

Check open dates to fish with the Big Dan’s crew on a charter!

July: Midseason Variety Heats Up

July 17, 2025

By mid-July, Kenai Peninsula fishing is in full swing. Guests at our Kenai River Lodge are catching sockeye salmon while saltwater trips keep delivering trophy yelloweye rockfish, big halibut, and consistent coho salmon. Recent days brought varying weather, but Big Dan’s crews adapt trips to keep anglers safe and successful, turning bumpy conditions into halibut-only wins when needed. Family groups, veterans, and longtime guests have enjoyed memorable multispecies outings with lingcod, rockfish, and pink salmon beginning to show in Seward.

The July 1 lingcod opener was a major highlight this month. Along with lingcod, anglers enjoyed strong catches of black rockfish, yelloweye, and Pacific cod. Rockfish bag limits remain reduced in many areas, so anglers should always check local regulations before fishing.

Early July also marked the start of more consistent silver salmon action around Seward. While the weather can be unpredictable, Big Dan’s crews kept fishing productive. Halibut daily bag limits continue to provide plenty of opportunity in Seward and Homer. The Kasilof sockeye run also continues to be outstanding for those seeking freshwater fishing.

June: Transition to Peak Summer Fishing

June 26, 2025

June brought steady action across all four vessels; Blackjack, Wanka, Game Changer, and Double Down. Overnight charters out of Seward and Homer proved particularly productive, delivering late-night halibut bites and full limits of rockfish and king salmon. Crews skillfully moved between Homer and Seward based on weather and fishing conditions to maximize trips. Rockfish bag limits remain restricted with regulations in place for pelagic species for residents and nonresidents alike.

The ongoing Kasilof sockeye run also provided a fantastic alternative for guests wanting freshwater fishing. June’s trips produced a vibrant mix including salmon, halibut, greenling, cod, and rockfish. While weather caused some adjustments, the overall fishing success remained high.

May: Early Season

May 30, 2025

May set the stage for a robust 2025 fishing season. The season kicked off with the Blackjack heading out in Seward. The first trips saw excellent weather and eager anglers landing impressive halibut and salmon. By mid-May, both the Blackjack and Wanka boats were running trips out of Seward and Homer, with guests enjoying consistent action and a few standout catches, including a hefty 56-inch halibut that brought big smiles to the boat.

Late May brought a mix of weather, but the fishing stayed strong. Homer crews reported limits of halibut, a couple of king salmon, and even some rockfish. The Game Changer made its way to Seward for overnight trips, while Double Down wrapped up bear transport duties and joined the fishing fleet. On May 30, anglers in Homer celebrated a 65-pound halibut, and both ports enjoyed productive days even when the seas got rough.

If you’re ready for an Alaska fishing adventure, Big Dan’s Charters still has availability. No matter the species you’re targeting, these Kenai Peninsula waters offer world-class fishing. Our captains are familiar with current regulations and will help ensure your trip stays within bag limits and legal guidelines. It’s still a good idea to review them ahead of time, and you can find the latest updates at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.