Homer, Alaska, sits at the end of the state's Kenai Peninsula. Alaska natives have fished Katchemak Bay for centuries and still have scattered villages along its more remote shores The Homer Spit juts out into Kachemak Bay and is home to both a commercial fishing fleet, and a sport fishing fleet dedicated to catching the halibut that live in these frigid waters.
History
Although Alaska natives had fished the area for centuries, before Homer became known as a fishing town Russian and then American coal miners used the port of Homer to get coal to market. Seldovia, on the other side of the bay, grew more rapidly as a fishing town, but in 1964 the Alaskan earthquake destroyed most of Seldovia's waterfront and canneries. Rather than rebuilding Seldovia, attention transferred to Homer.
Halibut Fishing
Homer has a commercial halibut fishing fleet, but tourists come to try their luck on one of the more than 100 sport fishing charter boats that base in Homer. Halibut live in deep water, so the ride from port takes a while--longer if you want to fish for the giant "barn door" halibut that weigh more than 100 lbs. Since halibut are so large and live in deep water, the tackle used is heavy-duty. It provides quite a workout hauling even a 35-lb. halibut from 75 or more feet down.
Getting Halibut Home
The fishing limit for halibut in Homer is two fish per person per day. Average-size fish weigh in at about 25 to 35 lbs. Cleaned and filleted, two fish will produce about 25 lbs. of fish. Fish in this size range have a better flavor than larger fish and have fewer worms. Several businesses in Homer provide packing services and will meet your boat when it comes into port if you make arrangements. These businesses will vacuum-pack, freeze and mail your fish so you can enjoy the vacation. If you'd rather save the money, you can also easily find plastic foam shipping containers and take the fish home on the airplane as baggage.
Where to Stay
If you're adventuresome, plenty of beaches along the Homer spit allow tent camping. Expect few amenities at these locations. The Land's End Resort is located at the very end of the Spit. It has a nice dining room, and an in-place swimming pool if all the fishing was not enough exercise. Many rooms here overlook Katchemak Bay and have small balconies where you can watch the birds, boats and--if you are lucky--beluga whales.
Things to Do
Walking the beach along Katchemak Bay offers an opportunity to see seals, bald eagles and other shore birds. If you prefer a path rather than walking on the stone-covered beach, a paved bicycle path runs two miles from the "Fishing Hole," a man-made hole with its own salmon run, to the base of the spit. Numerous shops along the spit rent kayaks that you can rent and take out on your own, or you can hire a guide for a tour.
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