Halibut Fishing on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula

[@coolhand6669]

Alaskan halibut fishing big bait big fish seriously I usually use a salmon head and the body on my halibut rig yeah because the small house that had and the body only the big guys can they swallowed the whole thing and usually it's the halibut they're about 60 in that can do it anything under that you usually can't eat a whole big Salmon Head and bodies just so you know that's the trick big bait catches you big fish

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

If on our own boat that is what we would do but we had no choice as to what the charter captain was baiting us up with. Last year Gary caught a 70lb halibut in the same waters... probably due to better rigging.

[@billt6116]

Just remember, Whenever you throw back a fish, Imagine the big smile on some little kid's face When he catches it 5 years later!! It goes a lot easier that way!

[@william6526]

That captain needs to move to find decent size fish.

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

Unfortunately that area is known for chickens. However with that said Gary did catch a 70lb halibut in the same general area last August.

[@roblockhart8410]

Why would you want a big halibut for eating? Smaller halibut are way better eating fish. Plus if you keep all the big females you with destroy your fishing grounds. Don’t make the same mistakes we made down south of you. We have to go further and further away to catch halibut now. Area’s where we used to get our limits in a few minutes of trolling the bottom are ghost towns now. This whole attitude of trying to catch the biggest fish is so outdated and we as fishermen need to be conservationists so our children and grandchildren can enjoy this lifestyle we brought them up in. Now that the fishery for big Kings on the Kenai has been destroyed the halibut fishery will be next.

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

@@roblockhart8410 for us we wanted 30lb to 40lbers. Nice mid-size and good eating.

[@mikeknape7064]

​@@roblockhart8410 perfectly said

[@marcleszczynski74]

Would not be happy with that trip for $400+, getting chicken patched. Ideal trip for the captain, no effort, clients feel good catching all day. People need to demand more of charters, that was neither fun nor successful when you end up with 10 lbs per person if you are lucky......sad

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

Considering we paid only $200 each and we spent it with friends we really can’t complain. We did go home with fish and Gary fished the entire day hoping for a big one. They just weren’t there and unfortunately the weather was against us which this video really doesn’t show.

[@Pilotc180]

Sad just a bunch of babies

[@ErickSchmidt-ej6rb]

I just bought a place in Soldotna. I can't wait to do some surf fishing

[@FIL357]

Patience unrewarded🤨 this time Gary, next time you may well be rewarded🙏😁 keep attackin’ . Great video of sea views. Thank you. Phil, Suffolk, U.K.🇬🇧

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

Next time for sure! He had no regrets. As always we looking forward to you popping in and saying hello! Warm wishes to our mate over the pond! 😘

[@beth-rg8bm]

My brother Bill lives in your area...he is also a halibut fisherman.

[@garybullock8470]

One of the most expensive places to live and say this is what it's like to live there. It's not and unless you have lots of money this isn't everyday living.

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

That may be of your opinion but I will be brutally honest with you... our way of life is actually less expensive in Alaska than when we lived in Washington State. Also this fishing charter only cost us $200 per person... it was a special sale and a steal in my opinion. Alaska can be as expensive or inexpensive as you want to make it... the choice is yours.

[@ErickSchmidt-ej6rb]

I just spent a week in the Kenai . It's less expensive to live there than here in montana.

[@frankhanes8005]

That looked like a lot of fun. One day I’m going to get out there to try that myself. Thanks for bringing us along 😊. How’s the carnivore diet going?

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

You should! Alaska is a breathtaking place to visit! As for the diet I’m down 18lbs and Gary’s down 25lbs! Something is working. 😀

[@frankhanes8005]

@@LivingFreeAlaska wow that’s great congratulations 🎉

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

Thank you.

[@curtisthorne6332]

How much for a typical guided fishing trip.

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

It really depends. Can be anywhere from $300 to $500 per person usually. This charter we got on a Memorial Day special. We had to come together with 6 people to get the special rate ($200 per person) which is super inexpensive for what we got. It was worth it in our opinion even with the smaller halibut's we caught.

[@MrKveite1]

Those flat things look aa lot like halibut only a lot smaller and no man was present on the boat since noone was able to even hold the rod while fishing or fighting the fish but i guess someone paid and someone got paid so that's how life is in Alaska....

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

Huh??? Yes those were halibut and no you don’t have to hold the rod to catch and reel them. It’s easier to reel them in in the rod holder. They wouldn’t make a rod holder if they weren’t useful. You do you though but we will work smarter and not harder.

[@MrKveite1]

@@LivingFreeAlaska smarter not harder, who need that when catching halliebabies. it's called beeing lazy not smart lol.

[@hamerthomas4542]

Drove down on 6/9/24 and stayed in Homer that week. Home now and just watching this, bringing back such great memories! Celebrated our 41st anniversary while in Alaska and wish we could every year! Out of 14 days up there only two half day’s had any precipitation, amazingly bluebird days! Love “All of Alaska” that I’ve seen over twenty+ years!

[@thomasmcghee2994]

Well done Gary let the small ones go back to get bigger 😊

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

Yes that’s a good formula. If you take all the littles there will be no more big ones.

[@billt6116]

I love the alaskan welcome custom of cooking breakfast for your guests. It's usually a long enough trip getting there, they need to stay overnight. I can hardly wait to try the moose sausage!

[@GLN305]

Lived there for 3 years and nothing ever got old. I miss going out by seal island and catching halibut and rockfish. Never managed to catch a cod LOL

[@gRosh08]

My cousin Bernie and I would make that trip every three years. Never had so much fun in our lives... miss it now. RIP Bernie.

[@Rayofsunshine11]

New subscriber. I enjoyed how this video was put together. Gary, where do they sell that black hat you were wearing?

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

Hello and welcome to our channel. The hat he was wearing was a Gamakatsu hat. Not 100% positive where we picked it up from… I’m thinking it was at one of the local sportsman stores in Alaska.

[@TobyLisenbee]

I thought Sitka was halibut capital

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

Not if you ask anyone in Homer. 🤣

[@BrakesBake]

Hi Stacey and Gary: Thank you for another great episode. My sneak peak pictures were cool to match up your the adventure. Husband spotted it right away. Ace was like on seeing previews isn’t that where Stacey sent the picture of Sophie from? Love the fishing adventure!

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

Thank you Miss Dee and Mr Ace! It definitely was a fun one to share.

[@TheDadFaxs]

So everybody got their limit including your husband who decided to throw them back and make everybody wait until he could catch what he wanted or the charter ended. How inconsiderate

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

No… it’s called fishing for the whole time allotted for the charter. We definitely got our moneys worth.

[@TheDadFaxs]

@@LivingFreeAlaska there's no doubt about that. I'm just going with the looks on the other people's faces.

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

We were all friends on this charter and we actually thought it was pretty funny. Gary wasn’t the only one dragging it out. One other still had his second halibut to get almost to the end. The most important part is we had fun together.

[@TheDadFaxs]

@@LivingFreeAlaska okay I stand corrected. It just looked like some of the people in the video were getting irritated.

[@scottpedersen3337]

If it aint 25 lbs send it back

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

Yeah 30 to 40 lbs is where the good eating range is in my opinion.

[@josephgomes8543]

When I was a teenager I recall seeing stories in the outdoor magazines of catching 500 plus pound Halibut ! And now we're measuring a 20 incher ? What have we done to the fishery??

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

The big ones are still out there... our friends brought in 5 over 250lbs just last weekend in a different area of the Gulf... These days I feel Homer is a nursery for them.

[@jewels7832]

Looked like good times. 😊

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

It was!

[@TNJohnDeeretractornut]

We are headed there second week of August. Going with big dans fishing charters for a 2-day trip overnight. First time in Alaska. Look forward to it

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

You are going to have a blast!!! Enjoy.

[@TNJohnDeeretractornut]

Yeah we look forward to this. We had a plan for 2 years

[@KaylaKeith-jm1zb]

Glad you all had fun! Lake Okeechobee where I'm at is fun to fish but it's been too hot. I'm jealous 😂❤ thanks for another video! 😊

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

Our pleasure!

[@RobinJones-ow9oz]

I know this is going to sound stupid but does y'all just fish taste like ours in Georgia I'm really don't like salmon. And next time you go on a trip put up a little map so we can see where we going cuz I don't know nothing about Alaska nobody else does that that'd be a good thing for your channel I'm glad y'all had a good time and a safe one

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

Alaska’s fisheries is our States number one industry and supplies the world. Salmon is just one of many cold-water species that our world famous up here. These halibut were on the very small size on this day but they still filled our freezer.

[@nevarimel]

Great video 👍 I felt like I was right there on the boat with you guys 😀 so much fun. We really enjoyed camping with you guys it was such a fun time with an absolutely amazing view.

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

We had a blast hanging out at our favorite beach spot as well. 😘

[@rexwells4552]

Enjoyed your show,I thought it was well put together and I liked the friendly personalitys.Well done.

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

Thank you kindly!

[@georgemurphy9910]

Don’t let them catch a little Little halibut that’s scary and you’re from Alaska and you want to keep those little ones

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

Of course I would of loved a big one but I took what I got and what was allowed. It still put more food in the freezer which was our main goal. And well of course Gary was enjoying fishing more than keeping. Thanks for watching.

[@BCVS777]

I caught a 120 lb halibut off homer once. It was like pulling up a tractor tire!😂

[@billt6116]

Some dude in Norway caught one that weighed over a 1000 pounds! A HALF A TON!! HOW IN THE... HOW'D THEY GET IT ON THE BOAT!?!

[@jao1960]

Way to go Herb, Rod, George, Sandy, Stacy and Gary!

[@RaisedinAlaska]

Fun video, I just got back from a halibut trip in Homer as well. I ❤ Homer

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

Awesome! Did you have better luck than us?

[@RaisedinAlaska]

@@LivingFreeAlaska About the same: chickens. 🐓

[@mr.b.4078]

Made the Alaska trip three times, I’m 61 and before I die I would like to make it four What a beautiful place

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

Tomorrow is never promised! Come on up! It’s beautiful here!

[@MelissaWells-o8o]

[@craigporter5364]

Good job guys been fishing out of Homer once a week its definitely picking up. The p cod to me is the best eating

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

We love pcod even though the captains don’t enjoy it. They make the best fish tacos. Our captain allowed 3 pcod per team which was very nice.

[@OntheHook55]

Are you guys fishing in a nursery?..or is it the time of year?…tide cycle?

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

Unfortunately Homer has been known for the "chickens" over the past several years. Gary did catch a 70lb halibut last August in the same waters but I feel more littles come out of these waters than bigs. HOWEVER... we do have a honey hole we know about that we can fish from our own boat and hope to head there this weekend to seek out some barn doors. Hopefully Gary's giving back to the sea will pay off with a big one.

[@susanhickman1746]

This was a fun charter boat trip. Yes to more adventures! Thx for taking us along. Susan❤

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

Glad you enjoyed it! We had a fun time and can’t wait to bring you more.

[@diggy-d8w]

I've fished quite a few places around the US but never been anywhere near this beautiful place.... are they fishing a "slot" size on these fish? It's a breath taking sight to see. be safe & peace

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

There are known areas to get bigger ones... unfortunately this was a "chicken hole" kind of day.

[@diggy-d8w]

@@LivingFreeAlaska >> perhaps but you did catch a few & got to be out on that water..... that would be great even w/ no fish. Thanks for posting Up.. peace

[@GettingToHeaven]

Awesome video! Thanks for making it and sharing it!

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

Thank you! We will keep them coming!

[@joanntwiss4429]

Looks like fun.Beautiful views.

[@phillycryptotradingplus7956]

thanks for the flashback .. i was a deckhand in homer in the early 80s .. 😊😊

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

What a cool job. I am sure the butts were bigger back then.

[@phillycryptotradingplus7956]

@@LivingFreeAlaska lol

[@patriciamontague6035]

That was fun to watch 😀hi from Colorado Springs 😀

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

Hello there Patricia! Thanks for stopping by and letting us know! Hope you have a wonderful day!

[@DimensionalHorse]

This should b fun!! 😊

[@michaelknight5574]

Looks like Jason Kelce in the thumbnail lol

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

That's not the first time we've been told Gary looks like Jason. I guess it's not a bad thing either... LOL

[@swalsh-ow1el]

Yeah let's keep over fishing the Alaska waters

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

The commercial by-catch is the real problem.

[@swalsh-ow1el]

@@LivingFreeAlaska no it's the charter company's. Now they're going out of ninilcki across the bay for clams next thing you know no clams. It's horse shit please all you you tubers banking on subscribers please go back to the lower 48. I'll pay your way back. Thanks

[@JodiNadeau-up3ou]

200. And you only get 2 fish. 🙄

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

Normally it’s around $500 per person. Sometimes the fish can be plentiful and like this day… not so plentiful. Last August Gary went out on a charter for $500 and brought home 70lbs of halibut. And at the current rate of $34-$38 a pound it is quite the savings!

[@aksourdough4890]

Whoever is charging you $500 is ripping you off big time. Going rate right now is $350 pp and with someone who will take you to get 40-100lb+ halibut not ping pong paddles. The best halibut fishing is two hrs away but only a few charters go there. I live and fish here. Since Covid the rates have significantly increased like everything else.

[@Cornpop-xh9wp]

Fishing ain’t quite what it used to be… size wise

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

Homer unfortunately is known for the little ones. We hope to go out on our boat in Prince William Sound soon to try again on our terms.

[@miked5357]

That's what she said!!😂😂😂

[@judyrice3883]

What an amazing trip. Great times

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

Yes it was! It’s fun to be traveling around the state sharing our adventures with you all. Glad you are enjoying them!

[@daledevito]

Look its jamwayne lmao

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

😂

[@richardlong3254]

your husband greedy

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

I wouldn't say greedy... he was practicing good fish management skills... throwing back the littles so they can thrive and become big ones. And afterall he only went home with one keepers. Thanks for watching!

[@JeffChristen-s6s]

15-25lbers are great eaters. Looks like you have fish for many years to come.

[@kevinreno8436]

Love your video. Saw a bunch of familiar sights. Especially that beautiful beeper down the highway.

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@kevinreno8436]

That's Beaver down the highway.

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

🤣 I was wondering what you meant by beeper. LOL

[@kevinreno8436]

That was beaver. An airplane in a lake right before you get to Homer

[@mnmike6884]

What’s up with all the cranking up of fish with leaving the rod in the rod holder?

[@LivingFreeAlaska]

Work smarter Not harder. 😂😉