Winter King Salmon Fishing
Homer has become a premier destination for Winter King Salmon Fishing! The waters of Kachemak Bay host enormous groups of baitfish, providing King Salmon with plenty to feed during their 4-5 year residency. Some of these fish have weighed in at 30+ lbs. Climb aboard the Wilderness Explorer at the crack of dawn and we'll head out to troll prime kelp beds and rocky ocean floors in pursuit of these monsters. This is one of the best eating salmon in the state and is a primary target for Alaskan locals.
This fishery is becoming very popular and space is limited. Give a call or click the button below to book your trip!
Also, see a list of commonly asked questions below.
trip length: 6.5 – 7 hours
cost: $345 per person
Commonly Asked Fishing Questions!
-Where do we depart from? If you are staying in Homer, please check in at our Destination Alaska Adventure Company office headquarters located at 4287 Spit Road building #5 at 6:30 a.m. Our captain will meet you there and walk with you down to our boat. If you are staying at one of the lodges across the bay, we will pick you up at their dock at a time of your choosing.
-6:30 a.m. is too early. Can we leave later? Yes.... For private charters, you have the flexibility to set the departure time and length of the overall trip.
-How long is the boat ride out versus a regular fishing charter? The average charter requires a minimum boat ride of 2 hours south and/or west to reach the prime fishing ground. The same distance is covered on the Wilderness Explorer in half the time. Our guests are able to fish nearly an hour longer each day due to this time savings.
-Can I get picked up in Anchorage and flown directly to the boat? Yes… We frequently pick up our guests at Lake Hood in Anchorage and fly them out to the boat for the day. It is your choice to return to a local lodge or fly back to Anchorage at the end of the day.
-Can my whole family go on this trip? Yes…. We can accommodate up to 12 guests on the F/V Wilderness Explorer, and 14 guests on the Endeavor. For larger groups, give us a call and we can make it happen.
-If it is not an exclusive charter, how many people will be on the boat? 8 guests per day is our average with a top limit of 10 people for Halibut/Salmon combos during peak season. We designed the boat to fish 5 people per rail so there is plenty of elbow room.
-Will I need waders or hip boots? No… However, rubber-soled/waterproof shoes or boots are helpful as the deck of the boat can be slippery and wet throughout the day.
-I’m staying at one of the lodges across the bay, can we get picked up and dropped off from there? Yes…. If you have booked an exclusive charter through the lodge or a travel planner, we can pick you up by plane or boat right at the lodge dock.
-I get motion sickness on boats. What do I do? We recommend taking medicine such as Dramamine the night before your trip. The Wilderness Explorer is equipped with a SeaKeeper gyro stabilization system that reduces vessel roll by 90%. This system is unique to our vessel and nearly eliminates seasickness.
-What are the limits for each fish? The “no charter halibut fishing” days, size, and bag limits for each species change each year. Call us for the latest information.
-Can we keep the fish we catch? Yes…. We will fillet your catch onboard. For a separate fee, a local processor will meet you at the dock and pick up your fillets to vacuum seal and prepare your fish for transport back home. Fish can be shipped via FedEx or boxed for airline transport as excess baggage.
-Do your trips offer lunch and snacks as part of a standard trip? We offer bottled water, coffee, and some snacks as a part of our package.
-What kind of fish can we catch? There are many diverse species of salmon, halibut, rockfish, and lingcod that inhabit the bay! As well as many others.
-Can we eat some fresh fish we caught out at sea? Yes…. For an additional fee of $750, we offer a Catch & Cook option (private charters only). Our boat is set up with a commercial grill station and our crew is trained to prepare your fresh caught fish to perfection.
-What do I need to bring? Fishing license, lunch, favorite snacks, warm clothes, rain gear, and a sense of humor. We provide everything else for you.
-Can we bring alcohol onboard? For the safety and comfort of all passengers, we do not allow alcohol on our vessel during a Standard Fishing trip. We do allow wine and other beverages of choice during trips when meals are served onboard, such as our Dinner Cruise and Kachemak Bay Premium package.
-Do you sell fishing licenses? No…. The most efficient way to purchase a license is via the Alaska Fish and Game website. The Captain and deckhand will need to record information from your license so you must have this license with you when you board the vessel in the morning.
-Will I see whales? Possibly…. The last couple years, we have seen a substantial increase in whale sightings. Most days we see Orcas and Humpbacks, but it is difficult to guarantee whale sightings in Kachemak Bay.
-How long is the boat ride out in the morning? It generally takes us about an hour to reach prime fishing grounds. The Wilderness Explorer is equipped with 1275 HP to get you out there fast.
-What precautions have you taken for COVID 19? We specialize in private tours (not mixing groups) and thoroughly clean our planes and boats each day. Our crew will wear masks during your visit upon your request.
-Do we have to fish all day? Do you offer a ¾ day? For private charters, our captain and crew are flexible and can change the itinerary to make your day the best possible. Our costs are fixed so the length of the trip does not change the price.
-Is the tip for the pilot, captain, and crew included in our package? What is customary? No…. Tips are greatly appreciated by our team. 15% to 20% is standard.
F/V Wilderness Explorer!
Our 2019 Bayweld was custom built with 44’ of luxury and 1275 HP to get you and your group out to prime fishing grounds in comfort and record time. A fast vessel means you’ll have more time to fish! Meet your captain and crew at 7:00 a.m. down at the harbor and get settled in for a scenic ride that will take you away from the crowd into pristine Alaska’s coastal wilderness. Worried about motion sickness? We have one of the only vessels in Homer that has a Seakeeper gyro stabilization system installed. This system eliminates 90% of vessel roll, the leading cause of seasickness. Our seasoned captain and crew will teach you all you need to know to bring the big ones over the rail and into the cooler. When your arms are tired and the day is done, our deckhand will expertly fillet and prepare your fish to be picked up by the processor at the dock. You’ll roll back into the harbor around 4:30 p.m. with plenty of time to check out the local shops on the boardwalk and have a fine meal at one of our outstanding restaurants. Staying at a lodge across the Bay? No problem. We can pick you up and drop you off right at their dock!
