Homer Alaska Tides for 2009.

The Homer area and all waters of Kachemak Bay and Cook Inlet are where you will find the second largest tides in the world. What this means is that the difference between the high tide and low tide can be as much as 28 feet in vertical change. Look at it this way, if you’re anchored up in 28 feet of water during high tide, at low tide you are standing in the mud.

Currents from such changes are physically powerful and have been credited to capsizing small craft and separating victims of boating mishaps from their vessels. Another point of safety concern lies in the access to areas like Halibut Cove Lagoon and Tutka Bay where powerful rapids are often created in the narrow passages leading into these areas.

What are tides and how to they effect halibut fishing in Homer Alaska?

Tides are the alternating rise and fall of the saltwater with respect to the shoreline. Tides are influenced by the gravitational forces of the sun and the moon. Some additional factors that can influence the tides include the layout of the coastline, the topography of the sea floor, winds, shifts in ocean currents, local water depth, and the weather each can have an effect upon the actual arrival times of local tides. These factors also influence the range between mean high and low tides. Although there are variables to consider, the time and heights you will be presented with here are for most recreational purposes adequate.

Terms associated with Phases in Tides;

• Flood Tide, The time during which the water level rises and covers the beaches with water.
• High Slack, The water reaches its highest level and stops at high water. Because tidal currents cease this is also called slack water or slack tide. The tide reverses direction and is said to be turning.
• Ebb Tide, The time during which the water level recedes or falls over several hours and exposes the beaches from the with water.
• Low Slack, The level stops falling at low water. This point is also described as slack or turning.

Tips, Halibut Fishing Trip in Homer Alaska.

Halibut fishing in Homer is good to excellent from Mid May to late into September. However, weather conditions may influence your decision on whether it’s safe to take your boat out of the harbor or out of the protected waters of the many bays and fjords found in Kachemak Bay. Always check with the local marine forecasts before you venture off on a fishing trip out of any Alaska port. During your time on the water, continue checking the marine forecast every 2 or 3 hours to make sure a sudden change in conditions is not approaching. Use common sense and do not take chances going offshore. File a float plan with the harbormasters office as well as with family or friends, and by all means, make sure your marine radio or CB radio is working properly. Make a few calls during the day to make sure, just ask for a radio check or a fishing report.

As a general rule, the following calendar can be used to judge what species of fish to go after. The main offshore season in Homer begins in mid May when large schools of salmon begin their migration back to the rivers to spawn. Trolling around the kelp beds near the Homer bluffs works well. Remember, many salmon, or the food they eat, can often be found around Kelp beds and various bottom structures. Therefore, fish around floating debris, Kelp beds, tide rips, and variations in bottom structure. Also, watch the birds and seagulls. Many times fish are caught where sea-birds are feeding. The birds feed on bait that is being pushed to the surface by predators.

Halibut fishing generally gets better as the summer progresses, and good weather allows one to journey farther from the boat harbor. Out in this "Deep Blue" water you are more at the mercy of Mother Nature resulting in the need for a better understanding of the possible threats associated with the areas you are fishing. Besides the tides and sudden weather shifts there are areas with hidden obstacles lurking just below the surface. Pick up a marine contour map of the areas you will be traveling through. Look these maps over well and become familiar with the map legend before you leave.

Many species of fish including Dolly Varden, Winter Kings, various species of cod, skate, salmon shark, and many bottom fish other then halibut tend to be present year-round, but the distance and poor weather conditions in the late fall and winter prevents most of us from catching them. Summertime fishing on the other hand is excellent for bottom fish such as ling cod, black cod and snapper, as well as for salmon and big halibut. The area near the Barren Islands remains a top destination and the waters of Upper Cook Inlet are very productive too. Look for schools of bait on the down-current side of bottom structure and either drift with the tides along them or anchor up and fish bait along the edges and into the middle of depressions found in the bottom. A good working depth sounder is a fisherman’s best friend when looking for areas that halibut are best found.

Late June through early September is hot for near shore halibut fishing as these bottom feeders forage on the salmon and discarded fish internals floating out from river mouths and into the serf. Fishing methods vary from dead drifting herring on the bottom to anchoring and creating a chum-line with ground internals found in the fish waist container by the Homer Lagoon. Also, serf casting is very productive too, especially along the beaches of the Homer Spit near the ferry dock or Lands End Resort.

As the Fall and Winter approaches and the migratory species have moved back through heading out to sea. Excellent sea bass, red snapper, flounder, and resident white king salmon fishing can be found fishing with squid, cut bait or trolling out of Homer and across the bay from Halibut Cove to Seldovia.

Happy Fishing from HomerTides.com

2009 Tide Tables

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Archive - 2008 Tide Tables

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All data has been adjusted for Daylight Savings Time. The times you read are the actual local time in Alaska. on the day in question. No further calculations for time zones or daylight savings time are necessary.
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