What would you recommend to anglers fishing in Homer, Alaska for the first time?

Dress warm/in layers and definitely bring rain gear/fishing bibs and jacket. Take Dramamine if you get sea sick because waters/sea conditions can get rough/nasty out there with the crazy tidal conditions

Be very cautious of the weather, it goes from good to bad, not much in-between. I would book in advance to get your spot, but on the day of the trip if other boats are canceling, cancel your trip. The benefit of going out of Homer is you get to go far out where there are bigger fish, if the weather is bad, you'll have to stay in Cook Inlet where it's a bit over fished. You'll catch fish, they are just much smaller.

If you’re planning on taking fish home have a plan. Check out the processing fees and the time frame of getting your catch frozen. Make sure you have room in your vehicle to transport the fish back to the airport!!!

Fishing always depends on … the fish! We did 2 days - first day was decent weather - but just so-so fishing. Second day was 54F, raining, with chop and 2 foot swell - and GREAT fishing! Enjoy the experience!

This was a great mixed bag trip. Only two things that could have been better and both of them were something that could not be controlled. The weather with a little rain and size of the fish, they can always be larger.

Don’t expect to pull up a barn door here. I suppose it can happen, but unlikely. The state halibut limits of one under 27” and one other over that. That makes it difficult to decide whether to keep a sizable fish or throw it back in hopes of catching a larger one, since one is all you get.

Don’t forget to take something to prevent seasickness and bring enough food to share with the crew as their priority is making sure you have a great experience and they tend to forget about themselves.

Wait till the salmon run more, May is early season for Salmon. Rent a vehicle in Anchorage and drive down, there are not many vehicle/transportation options in Homer. Bring extra cash, cash is preferred here over cards.

Keep an eye on the weather, it was 1 foot swells maybe a little more, but totally worth it. The huge halibut may be in and they may not be. The day before it was super calm and the day after it was as well.

On our half day charter, we rode 2 1/2 - 3 hours through choppy waters just to catch our limit of small Halibut and a few cod. The boat is small especially with 6 people, the captain and first mate. The boat did have a bathroom but it didn’t flush.

Dress warm and be flexible with your schedule, the weather can turn on a dime, especially on the water. Captain Jack will keep you safe, but it’s up to you to be prepared in case the weather gets cold or rainy.

We had really great weather (no rain) and pretty typical temperatures of 50 in the morning to 65 in the afternoon/evenings with not much wind. That said, good rain jacket with layers underneath waterproof bibs and boots are essential for staying dry. Cheap Frogg Togg types will last a few days but the guys on our trip with those had them torn by day 3. The fishing was great. Got on the fish fairly quickly because Forrest knows so many people and they all work together to make sure you have a good time and get some fish in the boat

If you're after Kings I'd recommend going earlier in the month. We've never had as much success in the latter part. Halibut fishing can be good to great if that's your thing, though! Make sure you come prepared. Dress in layers and bring quality rain gear and waterproof boots. You're better off with the polyurethane coated or vinyl type raingear than the gore-tex because fish guts and bait wash off a whole lot easier. It's cool enough up here that you don't need to worry about it being breathable as much as waterproof and easy to clean. Tight lines!

I recommend Corey with Alaskan Adventure Guides. He did his best to insure we got our limits of fish. He and his mate were great and the boat was very nice. Even with the 6 hour halibut trip, you may get a lot of movement. Be prepared, if you get seasick easy. Dramamine worked good for my wife. Expect the Spit area to be crowded, but there are a good number of places to eat. Expect to pay Homer taxes on your trip. Expect processing and shipping of fish to be about $7.50 a pound.

We had an awesome time with Zach and Marcus from Homer Fishing Adventures! They took great care of us with safety first! They knew where the fish were and we limited out on halibut and salmon. We highly recommend them!

Research the best way to economically prepare and get your catch home. -Homer Fish Processing / packaging / flash freezing / boxing for travel. -Checked bag with your airline. -Overnight cold storage with Bag Storage at Baggage Claim #4 - Ted Stevens Intl. Airport.

Bring quality rain gear and be prepared for weather conditions to change day to day. Wear layers as it can be cold in the morning and warmer in the afternoon. Also try to Book your trips well in advance.

This was an 8 hour trip and when we first went out, the water was very choppy. So it was a rough ride but more importantly, when the boat stops to begin fishing, the rocking motion may be hard for some to adjust too. Just make sure you prepare for motion sickness. The boat is very clean, has a toilet and the Capt. and deckhand are very nice. Bring some snacks and drinks and catch some fish!

The fishing was pretty good. Our trip was June 22 and everyone caught their limit of halibut and we all got several cod fish as well. The weather was sunny and 65. A local said the weather on the water is usually about the same as in Kodiak the day before.

Great way to explore Kachemak Bay! You get to see a lot and have fun catching different species. If you're worried about being on the water too long or have young kids, the 3 hour evening option with Black Pearl is a great way to go!

It’s late in season so weather is a gamble. We had some calm and mellow and we had some rain, wind and bumpy!!! :). Go earlier in season if you can! But still had fun and brought home fish!

Don't be disappointed if you don't catch all the fish you expect to. So many variables with weather and conditions. Enjoy the experience of it all. The camaraderie, the scenery is wonderful, being out on the big water. Being able to go fishing in Alaska is a blessing, not a given.

I was successful on my first time. Halibut are easier to catch than salmon. I met a few fishermen in Seward that were unsuccessful so I am glad I drove to Homer. For the nonfisher people in your party consider booking in advance a flight from Homer to Katnai to see the bears catch salmon. My wife was disappointed that all flights to Katnai were full.

Good charters fill up early, but weather is unpredictable. Gear up for it. I'm a Scout so like to be prepared. Rain gear, waterproof boots, layers, sunscreen, gloves, Dramamine, barf bag. Plan for 10-15 degrees cooler on the water than the shore.

Make sure you have the appropriate gear(clothes, etc. ). Also be sure to have motion sickness stuff ready. We didn’t need it but it helps to have it.

Very important to consider the tides. Avoid times of extreme lows and highs as that results in much stronger currents making some great areas more difficult to fish

Without a doubt. I think about the next trip and I remind myself that neither I or captain and crew can control the weather. We got lucky with weather

Visit The Salty Dawg and have a drink! Be sure to eat a meal or two on the town. The food is fantastic. It’s hard to leave this town.

Dress appropriately — Rain coat and rain pants recommended, not just for rain, but typical boat and fishing wetness. And it is cool on the morning and out to sea. So layer up.

The rough ride and bathroom accommodations on board are not for the faint in heart. Often a couple of hours out with boat at full speed and smacking waves to get to the fishing spots.