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No fishing trip to Alaska is complete without testing your skills against the world-famous Halibut. These behemoths of the seafloor can grow to over 300 pounds, and there’s no better place on earth than Homer, Alaska to catch Halibut and bring home dinner. After all, it is called the “Halibut Fishing Capital of the World”.

In this guide, I’m going to cover everything you need to know. Where to go, what to bring, how to book a charter, and most importantly… what to expect! So let’s get started.

How to Fish for Halibut

The most popular way to fish for Halibut in Homer and the surrounding areas is to book a charter. Although Halibut can be caught from shore along “the spit,” the tides, wind, and waves make shore fishing a challenge. Besides that, the biggest populations of Halibut – and the biggest sized – are only reachable by boat.

The good news is that there’s no shortage of qualified and reputable Halibut charters in the area. These guides literally make their living by bringing visitors to the world-class Halibut fishing grounds, all within a couple of hours of Homer harbor.

Fishing charters provide the tackle, bait, and, most importantly, the boat and safe transportation to and from the fishing grounds. The success rates of Halibut fishing charters in Homer are outstanding. Chances are you’ll go home with a cooler full of fresh Halibut filets, a sore arm, and a big smile on your face.

What size Halibut can you expect?

The average sized Halibut in Alaska is 14 pounds, but it’s not uncommon to hook into 50, 60, and even 70+ pound fish. Halibut larger than 100 pounds are even caught often, and these “barn doors” are true giants of the sea.

Every year, an angler lands a true once-in-a-lifetime fish. I’m talking about Halibut weighing between 200–300 pounds!

How to Catch Halibut

When I first went on a Halibut Fishing in Homer in 2013, my charter captain and his mates provided instructions on exactly what to do. And it’s pretty simple:

First, open your bail and allow your bait to sink straight down to the sea floor. Once the weight hits the bottom and your line stops peeling off, close the bail and reel up a few clicks so the bait is 2–4 feet above the seafloor.

An angler holds a bending rod over the side of a fishing charter in Homer, AK

Now you play the waiting game. But if your charter is anything like mine was, you won’t be waiting long. You’re not likely to feel a strong or aggressive thump due to so much line being out and the heavy weight. Instead, you’ll probably feel a small bump, and your line will begin to tighten.

Start reeling! Don’t worry about setting the hook with the rod – just begin reeling and the line will tighten up. Then the fight will be on!

Halibut fight hardest once they are first hooked – and then for the first few minutes after. As they approach the surface, they typically tire out and slow down due to the change in atmospheric pressure.

Once your Halibut comes to the surface, the first mate or deckhand will assist you in getting it into the boat. This is usually done with a gaff or fish hook. For bigger Halibut, they sometimes use a gun to safely dispatch the fish before bringing it aboard.

Halibut Fishing Tackle

Halibut are big, aggressive, and powerful fish – and so is the fishing tackle used to catch them. Most anglers use a 5–6′ short but heavy power rod, with a rugged level wind reel. Penn Senators are a local favorite in Homer.

Because Halibut are caught anywhere from 50–120 feet, anglers use a “no stretch” fishing line such as dacron or nylon. Leave the split shots at home. Here, you’ll need anywhere between 8 ounces and a pound of lead to get your bait to the bottom in the strong Alaskan current.

Large 6/0–12/0 circle hooks are the preferred choice because, after you feel the bite, all you have to do is start reeling to set the hook.

Best Bait for Halibut Fishing

Halibut spend the majority of their time along the seafloor, where they feed heavily on fish, squid, and even octopus. But the most common and popular Halibut bait is salmon!

Yep, due to the thriving salmon fishery in the state of Alaska, there’s no shortage of salmon scraps. Salmon heads and salmon bellies are often cut into chunk bait and make for amazing Halibut bait.

Other common baits include herring, sardines, cod scraps, and just about anything else that’s oily and durable.

About Homer Halibut Fishing Charters

The Halibut Charter fleet is located in Homer Harbor, which sits at the end of “the spit.” This 4.5-mile stretch of land is like a giant sand bar extending out into the beautiful Kachemak Bay, and is perfectly positioned for you to start your Halibut fishing excursion.

An angler attempts to reel in a Halibut from a fishing charter in Homer

In nearly every direction you look, you’ll be surrounded by snow-capped mountains and volcanoes, and the waters are teeming with wildlife. Keep an eye out for sea lions, seals, sea otters, and even whales!

Charter Boat Types

There are a few different types of Halibut charters, depending on the size of your group and the kind of fishing you’re interested in. Don’t worry, there’s something for everyone – even the kids!

Most trips depart the dock or marina between 6–7 a.m., depending on your booking, You can choose from half, three-quarter, full-day, and even multiday excursions – but these are reserved for hardcore anglers.

Party Boat

Party boat is the nickname for bigger vessels that take larger groups of people to the Halibut fishing grounds. These vessels are 40–60 feet in length, and have indoor seating, heating, bathrooms on board, and can hold up to 20 anglers.

Ideal for half day or three-quarter day charters, party boats are often the least expensive option, and are great for families and beginners who want to experience the thrill of Halibut fishing. It’s also a great way to make friends and meet other traveling anglers.

6 Packer

The Alaskan state flag blowing in the wind on the back of a boat heading out to sea

6-pack Halibut charters are aptly named because they typically hold groups of 6 people. These smaller vessels range from 20–30 feet in size, and come equipped with outboard engines. This makes them fast and ready to fish.

These charters offer a more private fishing environment, and the captains can typically reach the Halibut fishing grounds that larger vessels can’t. If you want to target big Halibut with just you and your friends, this is the way to go.

Private Charter

Private Halibut charters are specifically tailored to each angler. If you’re looking for a completely customized Halibut experience, ask about a private charter.

Private charters are ideal for anglers in search of a trophy-sized Halibut. These charters usually include state-of-the-art tackle, premium baits, and refreshments – even far away from the common fishing grounds.

Private charter captains can typically combine other activities with your Halibut fishing trip. These include whale watching, Salmon fishing, shrimping, crabbing, and even scenic tours.

When to Fish for Halibut in Homer, AK

The peak months for Halibut fishing in Homer and the surrounding areas are June, July, and August. But you can still experience great fishing in the shoulder months of May, September, and October.

A female angler holding a Halibut while a man stands next to her on a fishing charter in Homer, AK

I recommend reaching out to the charter captain and asking them for a fishing report. They can typically tell you how the Halibut bite is doing, and recommend other fishing services if it happens to be the wrong time of year. There’s always something to fish for in Alaska!

After the Catch

Halibut are typically not a “catch-and-release” species, so chances are you’re going to get some fresh fish to bring home with you after your trip. Deckhands and guides will almost always process and filet your fish for you. And there are plenty of fish houses in the Homer area that will freeze and vacuum seal your fish for safe shipping back home.

In case you didn’t know, Halibut yields firm, mild, white meat that’s excellent on the grill or fried.

Alaska Halibut Fishing Regulations

In order to fish for Halibut in Alaska, both residents and non-residents need a fishing license. You can purchase your license online, or at most sporting goods retailers throughout Alaska.

An infographic stating "Homer, AK, Halibut Fishing Regulations: What You Need to Know" with the Alaska state flag, a vector of a boat, and the FishingBooker logo against a blue background

Non-resident licenses vary depending on the amount of time you want to spend fishing. Choose from a 1-day, 3-day, 7-day, 14-day, or annual permit. Check with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game for the most up-to-date information on license prices.

There are also special regulations in Homer, depending on whether you’re a guided or unguided angler. Read on for more details.

Unguided Anglers – as of April 2022

Sportfishing season: February 1 to December 31, 2022.

Daily bag limit: Two Halibut of any size per day, per person. However, an unguided sport Halibut angler may exceed the possession limit on a vessel that does not contain sport fishing gear, fishing rods, hand lines, or gaffs.

Guided (Charter Anglers) – as of February 2022

Sportfishing season: February 1 to December 31, 2022.

Size limit: 28-inch maximum size limit on one fish. Charter vessel anglers may keep one fish of any size per day and one fish that is no more than 28 inches in length. The 28-inch maximum size limit allows anglers to keep a second fish that weighs approximately 9 pounds (round weight).

Possession limit: Two daily bag limits.

Two fish daily bag limit: Charter vessel anglers may catch and retain two Halibut per day.

For the most up-to-date Halibut fishing regulations, or to find Halibut regulations in other parts of Alaska, visit the NOAAA website.

What to Pack

A chair with a hat and bag on it, a fishing rod leaning on it, and an older bag next to it

If you decide to book with a Halibut fishing charter, they’ll most likely tell you what to pack and what to bring. In most cases, they provide water and light refreshments. But here’s a quick list of what I never leave home without:

  • Rain jacket and waterproof or water-resistant clothing
  • Motion-sensitivity medication (such as dramamine or bonine)
  • Layered clothing
  • A copy of the fishing license
  • Water and snacks
  • Rubber boots or non-slip shoes (no sandals)
  • Sunscreen (yes, even in winter!)
  • Camera

Homer Halibut Fishing: Every Angler’s Dream

If you’re lucky enough to visit the great state of Alaska, do yourself a favor and book a trip to go Halibut Fishing. The eclectic town of Homer has a rich fishing history and giant Halibut are waiting just offshore. Good luck!

Have you ever been Halibut fishing in Alaska? How big was your catch? Any tips and tricks you’d like to share with us? Drop us a line in the comments below!

The post Halibut Fishing in Homer, AK appeared first on FishingBooker Blog.

By: Adam Young
Title: Halibut Fishing in Homer, AK
Sourced From: fishingbooker.com/blog/halibut-fishing-in-homer/
Published Date: Tue, 08 Nov 2022 12:06:00 +0000

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Festival Report Card: Lightning In A Bottle 2023

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8 hours ago

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June 4, 2023

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Lightning In A Bottle celebrated its 20th anniversary this Memorial Day with an extra wave of positivity in the air. Attendees were absolutely thriving in each moment and creating memories to last a lifetime.

Lightning In A Bottle is a festival produced by Do LaB, who’s well known for their infamous stage at Coachella. 

This year, Do LaB brought a talented group of musicians, performers, teachers, and talent to Buena Vista Lake in Bakersfield, California. This curated festival provided an opportunity for people to reflect, learn, and grow, and have space to connect with others.

See EDM Maniac‘s Festival Report Card below:

Lightning in a bottle 2023 2 scaled 2

Vibes: A+

Lightning In A Bottle is known for its transformational energy, and we certainly felt it last weekend. The crowd was flowing with positive vibes and filled with smiles, laughs, hugs, and high fives. Even when sets got crowded, there was no pushing or shoving, and people were constantly saying “excuse me” and making sure to be respectful when passing through. 

Depending on where you were and what activity you were doing, the vibes followed. If you were at the bass stage, the crowd was headbanging and encouraging others to get wild and let loose. If you were at the Woogie, you were moving and grooving with everyone and feeling free.

LSDREAM’s LIGHTCODE was a standout experience of the weekend, with the crowd overflowing past the Thunder stage, but all still experiencing it together. You could see the calmness and tranquility that LSDREAM spread every person who was there.

The sea of people breathed and relaxed to the beat of the drum which created a strong sense of peace and unity that is hard to find anywhere else.

Production: B

The Woogie had multiple platforms for people to dance on, which gave a flowy, trippy vibe to the area, and the speakers at the Woogie were rocking all weekend long.

The Lightning stage was huge and had a large screen for visuals (ahem, Rezz) with lights and lasers, but it would’ve been even better with the addition of pyro or cryo. 

The Thunder stage this year brought the heat, with a huge panel LED screen on the front of the DJ booth, as well as a large LED screen for visuals in the back. Do LaB’s infamous sheets of fabric provided some shade during the day, as well as a truly encapsulating feeling at night.

Lightning in a bottle 2023 3

Music: B+

Lightning in a Bottle is known to have a diverse lineup of music with various stages for all the genres you could possibly imagine.

The Woogie did not disappoint. We were sad to see Tale of Us have to cancel at the last minute, but the addition of house music legend Lee Burridge kept the party going.

This year’s Woogie lineup featured legends such as LP Giobbi, Purple Disco Machine, Stephan Bodzin, and more. Mary Droppinz brought the boogie to woogie, absolutely throwing down during her daytime set, and Diplo brought some immaculate vibes during the nighttime.

Thunder, the bass stage, had some insane sets throughout the weekend from Liquid Stranger, LSDREAM, TOKiMONSTA, The Glitch Mob, Deathpact, Moore Kismet, and Wreckno. Up-and-coming artist, Hamdi took the stage by storm on Friday playing his new hit single “Counting,” which has gone viral on TikTok.

Lightning, the main stage, had a notable variety of bands, musicians, and DJs playing. Sofi Tukker brought all the energy with their live performance while Rezz hypnotized the crowd with bass.

Let’s talk about the stacks. Although it’s a smaller stage, the talent we saw was insane and constantly giving massive amounts of energy. Snuffy, Ooga, and JordnMoody absolutely blew the stage away with endless supplies of bass and good vibes. The stacks also impressed everyone when Zeke Beats showed up Sunday night as a special guest. 

Lightning in a bottle 1100x733 1
Photo Credit: Juliana Bernstein/Get Tiny

Venue: B+

Buena Vista Lake is an interesting venue because some of the grounds are concrete. Do LaB did a phenomenal job of adding woodchips, fake grass, and other elements to make the grounds feel more comfortable. The dust at LIB is unavoidable, so we hope you were wearing your bandana. 

Getting around the grounds was a breeze. It never felt too crowded walking from stage to stage, and there were so many things to stop and see while walking. You could get lost in an art gallery, watch someone create live art, sit down at the sacred fire, get lost in the neon performers at Martian Circus, and so much more.

The roller rink also added a playful and fun environment for people to skate, dance, and groove to some tunes. The lake provided a place for attendees to cool off, and we saw many floaties, toys, and smiles in the water.

Another new addition to LIB provided this year was Wi-Fi, although unfortunately it came at a cost per day, and did not seem to work for many people.  One other thing many people noticed was the drinking water seemed to be slightly cloudy on the first few days, but by the last day seemed to have improved.

The one thing LIB never disappoints with are the activities, places to learn, and space to grow. There were tons of yoga and movement classes. LIB also offers a plethora of learning and culture offerings, talks and discussions with visionaries, experts, and thought leaders, and even culinary classes. 

Overall: B+

Overall, the production at LIB blew us away. There were multiple immersive structures you could walk through and explore, tons of art to see, a large yoga tent with a variety of classes, a sacred fire to sit by, art cars, and many other places and things to explore.

LIB has music everywhere, and for the 20th anniversary of LIB, they didn’t hold back. Every day of the five-day festival was stacked with talent.

The Grand Artique hosted performances all weekend, as well as Beacon, Martian Circus, Junkyard, and Crossroads. The banana art car would also pop up in the middle of nowhere with the best beats. 

LIB truly fosters a place of love, learning, happiness, and peace as well as a place to let loose and dance the night away. 

Featured image credit Sydnee Wilson, second image credit DI Visuals, third image credit Jess Gallo for Atlas Media

The post Festival Report Card: Lightning In A Bottle 2023 appeared first on EDM Maniac.

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By: Melissa Mubaraki
Title: Festival Report Card: Lightning In A Bottle 2023
Sourced From: edmmaniac.com/festival-report-card-lightning-in-a-bottle-2023/
Published Date: Fri, 02 Jun 2023 22:52:26 +0000

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Flosstradamus, the legendary trap music pioneer, returns with a powerful statement in his latest single “SIDE2SIDE.” Teaming up with TRXGGX, Flosstradamus aims to revitalize the trap genre and culture with an accessible anthem that sets dance floors ablaze. The collaboration merges nostalgic rave vibes with contemporary trap energy, guaranteeing a raging experience for festival-goers. With a revered career and a devoted fan base known as HDYNATION, Flosstradamus continues to leave an indelible mark on the music scene. Get ready to move SIDE2SIDE with this electrifying trap anthem!

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Title: LISTEN: Flosstradamus Unleashes Powerful Trap Anthem “SIDE2SIDE” With TRXGGX
Sourced From: runthetrap.com/2023/06/03/listen-flosstradamus-unleashes-powerful-trap-anthem-side2side-with-trxggx/
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Title: Tom Holland’s Green Obsession: AMI Paris & Prada
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