Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about fishing in Homer Alaska

We do our best to not change the type of trip offered to our anglers however there are various reasons throughout the year that require us to move our anglers to different vessels in our fleet. There are some cases where this may occur last minute but angler safety and doing our best to create a great trip for all on board is what attributes to our stellar record. Our confirmations are for seats confirmed and we may need to change your boat, crew or type of trip and will let you know as far in advance as we can if this happens.

What do I Bring on the Boat?

Remember that it can be cold in Alaska, even in the summer
– Our Vessels are all NON-Smoking –
  • Rain jacket, pants, etc.
  • Motion Sensitivity Medication
  • Prescription Meds
  • Layered clothing
  • You will need a lunch, drinks, and warm clothes layered with non-slip shoes/boots for the day.
  • Rubber boots or soft soled shoes (it gets slippery)
  • A valid Alaska fishing license (for anglers over 16)
  • A good nights sleep
  • Sun screen
  • Camera
  • An adventurous attitude and smiles

Charter Meeting Instructions

Where do we meet in the morning on the day of your fishing trip?

IMPORTANT: Please have your fishing license in hand and salmon stamp if fishing for King Salmon on our charter.

We meet at:

O’Fish’ial Charters of Alaska
4025 Homer Spit Rd. #7
Homer, Alaska

AK Fishing License

PLEASE REMEMBER YOUR FISHING LICENSE NEEDS TO BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE

You can purchase your Sport fishing license online at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game at home OR you can buy locally in Homer at:

  • The Tackle Shack
    3815 Homer Spit Rd # A,
    Homer, AK 99603
  • Ulmer’s Drug And Hardware
    3858 Lake St,
    Homer, AK 99603

Please bring a printed copy with you. Please have your fishing license in a printed format.

Fish Processing

FISH PROCESSING is done at Homer Fish Processing -They will pick your fish filets up directly from the boat.

Just let your captain know on the way in from fishing if you are wanting this service.

Homer Fish Processing
1302 Ocean Dr,
Homer, AK 99603

Phone: (907) 235-1997

Trip Changes

We do our best to not change the type of trip offered to our anglers however there are various reasons throughout the year that require us to move our anglers to different vessels in our fleet. There are some cases where this may occur last minute but angler safety and doing our best to create a great trip for all on board is what attributes to our stellar record. 

Weather

It is our policy to only cancel trips the morning of and not the night before. Weather in Alaska changes rapidly and what we see on land isn’t always the conditions off at sea where we fish. In cases where a long-range trip has been booked we will always convert to a downgraded excursion if possible before canceling altogether. When forced to downgrade we refund the difference of your booked trip.

Peak Season

Once peak season hits; June-August please view our catch on facebook at “O’Fish’ial Charters” or follow us on instagram under “bighalibut” for our fishing report. Our phones ring off the hook during this timeframe (seriously 50-100 calls a day) and although we’d love to chat it’s peak season so we provide all the details we can up front in your email confirmations and on our BIGHalibut.com website… any other time of the year Captain Chad is happy to talk your ear off about fishing! 

View Our Catch!

Once peak season hits; June-August please view our catch on Facebook at “O’Fish’ial Charters” or follow us on Instagram under “bighalibut” for our fishing report. Our phones ring off the hook during this timeframe (seriously 50-100 calls a day) and although we’d love to chat it’s peak season so we provide all the details we can up front in your email confirmations and on our BIGHalibut.com website… any other time Captain Chad is happy to talk your ear off about fishing!

Health & Fitness

– Our Vessels are all NON-Smoking –

As with any outdoor excursion, sea fishing is fun, rigorous and best enjoyed by the physically fit. While we strive to accommodate all anglers, please discuss with us AHEAD of time any concerns you may have. If you are not in optimum health, or have a condition that precludes you from being away from immediate health care, heart conditions, are prone to seizure or fainting, this may not be the excursion for you. Please disclose and discuss up front any concerns you may have as boat safety, crew safety and passenger safety are our #1 priority. Anglers must be able to navigate the fishing deck, the ramps to the boats in the harbor and the boat restroom facilities. There are instances where we can tailor a private charter with accommodations, but in filling a boat with various clients, we want to be sure each angler has the excellent experience they paid for.

Credit Card Charges

Charges will appear on your statement as “OFishial Charters”. If you’ve been refunded, it may take up to 30 days for your card issuer or bank to return your funds. Once you have received the refund confirmation email, there isn’t more that we can do to expedite a refund. Your card issuer is in control of your funds from that point forward.

Gratuity

The Most Asked Question (strangely enough) that fishing crews around the world appreciate is asked:
“How much gratuity is appropriate?”
  • The answer is: a tip is based on how hard your crew works for you always AND tips are never deserved they are earned. That being said when your crew is giving you their all.
  • 10-15% is traditional and a tip walking off the boat is what makes or breaks your crew’s season. Please keep in mind they do their jobs 100+ days in a row! Showing up to a clean boat, serviced before you walked on with fresh bait and a hearty smile and again after you walk off is one of the many ways your trip is carefully attended to before you even get to the boat. We never want to pressure anyone but choose to help educate anglers so it’s not an uncomfortable situation for any of our clients.

Taxes

**Taxes will not be included with the deposited amount, taxes (7.875%) will be applied to total booking price upon final payment if booked online.

Cancellation Policy

There is a 10% cancellation fee once a reservation is made.

If cancelling within 30 days of the excursion the entire booking is non-refundable unless we are able to rebook your seats in which case only the 10% booking fee would be retained.

In the case that the weather does not cooperate for your charter and an alternative trip cannot be taken there will be a full refund. Your captain will be the one to make this call as safety is our first priority. In the case where a long range trip is booked but the seas only allow for a local trip you will be refunded the difference within one week following the downgraded excursion. Our goal is to provide you with an excellent experience aboard our vessels and we appreciate your choice in booking your trip with our Charter!

Learn more here.