Rockfish
Charter fishing Homer trips with Alaska Coastal Marine can provide the opportunity to catch rockfish if guests book one of our rockfish combo packages. There are more than 30 species of rockfish in coastal Alaska waters. They range in colors from gray to brilliant orange, and they are very tasty fish. The meat is lean with a fine flake and a mild flavor often described as subtly sweet and nutty. The most common species found in Alaska is the black rockfish, which can be found in schools numbering in the hundreds or in small pods on rocky reef areas.
We catch rockfish by jigging with jigs or bait. This hands on technique is a favored method for guests. When we get into a thick school, the action can be fast and furious. The fishing is relatively easy and a limit of rockfish can add up to some delicious meals ahead.
It is important to be aware of barotrauma, which can occur when bringing rockfish up from deep water due to their “closed” swim bladder that can’t vent. When they are pulled out of deep water, the gas in the organ expands and causes the fish’s eyes and body to bulge. For this reason, regulations require that rockfish not being harvested be released with a deep water release device to reduce injury. Our charter captains are equipped with this tool should any rockfish need to be descended during your day charter fishing Homer, Alaska.
Current Homer Fishing Charter Regulations:
- Halibut: 2 fish daily bag limit: one fish of any size per day and one fish that is no more than 28 inches in length
- Closures: Wednesdays are closed to halibut fishing.
- King salmon: 20 inches or longer: 1 per day, 1 in possession January 1-June 30.
- Other salmon: 6 per day, 6 in possession, only 3 per day, 3 in possession may be coho salmon.
- Rockfish: (Active Emergency Order) 3 per day 6 in possession, of which only 1 per day, 2 in possession can be non pelagic.
