Ask any avid sportfisher to describe Homer and, no question, they will call it the "Halibut Capital of the World."
Located at the southern end of the Kenai Peninsula and on waters chock-full of world-class halibut, it definitely deserves that title. Countless charter businesses populate the city of Homer, offering tourists a break from shopping on the Homer Spit to get out on the deep waters of Kachemak Bay and Cook Inlet for a chance to wrestle in those famous halibut up to 300 pounds or more.
The city also offers a monetary incentive to fish, as if a chance at one of the biggest sportsfish you'll ever catch isn't enough. Last year the famous Homer Halibut Jackpot Derby grand prize was $37,243 for the third-largest halibut ever to win, totaling an enormous 358 pounds. The largest ever was in 1996 and weighed 376 pounds. The derby started in 1986 and is the longest-running derby in Alaska. It's one of the largest fundraisers for the Chamber of Commerce in Homer and makes up more than 20 percent of its general annual funding.
The amount of the first-place prize is based on how many tickets are sold. There are monthly prizes of $1,000, $750, $500 and $250 throughout the summer for tagged fish, big fish, released fish, lady anglers and kids only. The Derby opens for competition on May 1 and runs to Labor Day, and the tickets are $10.
Keep in mind, though, those gigantic halibut aren't the only fish worth mentioning in the same breath as Homer. Local fishing charters also offer salmon trips and combined halibut and salmon trips throughout Cook Inlet and fly-in fishing trips to the many surrounding lakes and streams. Whatever type of fishing sounds appealing, every angler needs a fishing license. Licenses and king salmon stamps for nonresidents range from $10 for one day to $50 for 14 days, and a yearlong license can be purchased by nonresidents for $100 and by residents for $15. Licenses are available at any tackle shop on the spit or throughout the Kenai Peninsula.
Longtime fisherman Greg Beiser, 42, of Kenai, who's been fishing the area for 10 to 12 years, prefers to troll for kings at Halibut Lagoon and Seldovia Bay.
"The salmon come in and have nowhere to spawn, so they allow people to go out there and get them," Beiser said. "June to mid July is the best time."
Beiser swears by a particular flasher that he says outdoes all of the rest of them when it comes to fishing for kings in Homer.
"Bechold & Son's 11 1/2-inch. It's what we use and what the charter guys use," Beiser said. "Absolute perfect presentation for as far as a roll and a presentation of a herring to a salmon." He recommends heading out to 60- to 80-foot-deep water for trolling.
For the fisherman who wants to keep off the water and close to shore, the Fishing Hole is a popular yet crowded option. Located near the end of the spit, the Fishing Hole has been recently expanded and has returning stocks of king, pink and silver salmon, and you can usually spot the salmon through the water.
Low-tide beaches full of clams can also add a different flavor to a visitor's perspective of fishing in Alaska. An especially nice alternative for those who tend to get seasick on the open waters, digging for clams is fun, dirty and keeps you right on the beach. There are several varieties of clams to be found all across the gravel beaches of Kachemak Bay: butters, steamers, little necks, basket clams and cockles, which are all delicious any way you cook them -- steamed, baked or fried.
Mud Bay, which is at the base of the spit on the Homer side, has hard-shell clams that are easy hunting, but it tends to be over-harvested and less productive than other clamming areas.
Another benefit of digging for clams is that there's such a long length of beach to explore that there's no such thing as combat clamming; in fact, you can have whole stretches of beach to yourself at times.
For more information about fishing or other activities in the Homer area, check out the Homer Chamber of Commerce at www.homeralaska.org or the Alaska Department of Fish and Game at www.sf. adfg.state.ak.us.
Freelance writer Naomi Hagelund lives in Soldotna.
