Cook Inlet halibut
Cook Inlet halibut from Deep Creek and Homer
Barn door-sized halibut on boats we built and bought for these waters, out of Ninilchik (Deep Creek) and Homer, May till September.
Chapter 01
Barn door-sized fish, steady all trip
Huge, massive and giant are the words we hear when guests describe Cook Inlet halibut. Our fish average 25 to 50 pounds, hundreds are caught over 100 pounds, and every year somebody brings one up in the 200 and 300 pound class. Even our most seasoned anglers have a hard time against them.
The fishing is steady through the whole trip, not a single bite at the end of a long run. Season runs May till September, which puts halibut on the calendar before the Kenai salmon runs get going and after the last silvers have moved through.
Our captains know these grounds, and we call Cook Inlet the most productive halibut fishery in the world. That is our claim, made after forty-some seasons of watching the scales at the dock.
Four guests on a boat deck holding large halibut
Boats built for Cook Inlet
In 1999 we commissioned Kevin Hatten at HATCO Marine to build six offshore cruisers, and we still run them. Our 33’ Hatco cruisers carry Yamaha four-stroke outboards, cruise at 30 mph and top out at 45 mph. Below that are heated enclosed cabins, a huge fishing deck and a marine bathroom.
In 2017 we bought two Delta Marine boats with a partner. The 43’ Delta boats are the classic Alaskan big boat, with dual diesel inboards and what we call a soft pillow ride to the grounds. They are US Coast Guard inspected for up to 16 passengers, but we fish only 10 to 12 anglers for room to fight a fish.
The tackle matches the fish: heavy Saltwater Series rods and two-speed Shimano reels spooled with 100-pound Spectra Tuf-Line. It is heavy equipment for fights that feel like pulling a car up from the bottom.
Chapter 03
Limits, weather and the sea
Historically the daily limit has been two halibut, one of any size and one under 27 inches. Limits are set by the federal and state agencies and can change, so we confirm the current rule with you when you arrive.
For your safety we cancel saltwater trips for high seas when the captain recommends it. We try hard to reschedule, and where we cannot, we substitute other trips so you are still fishing. Weather is the one thing we do not control. Ask us for the full cancellation policy when you book, and consider travel insurance.
US Coast Guard inspected Delta boats, insured and licensed guides. Call 1-800-625-2324.
Two harbours, two boats, one fish
Which side of the inlet you launch from
We fish Cook Inlet from two places. The halibut are the same, the drive and the boat are not. Tell us which suits your week when you call and we will fit it to your package.
Deep Creek
Ninilchik, about 1 hour from the lodge
- Launch
- Off Ninilchik Beach, boats go in with log skidders
- Boat
- Our 33’ Hatco offshore cruisers, Yamaha four-stroke outboards
- Speed
- Cruise 30 mph, top speed 45 mph
- Aboard
- Heated enclosed cabin, huge deck, marine bathroom
Homer
Homer, about 2 hours from the lodge
- Launch
- Based out of Homer, Alaska
- Boat
- The 43’ Delta Marine boats, dual diesel inboards
- Capacity
- Coast Guard inspected for 16, we fish 10 to 12 anglers
- Ride
- The classic Alaskan big boat with a soft pillow ride