Confusion over halibut limits and high gas and diesel prices are taking their toll on some Homer area charter companies and leading to a slow start to the season.

Bookings are down in early June, said Donna Bondioli of the Alaska Charter Association, and many people are unclear about how many halibut can be caught on a Homer-area charter.

"Virtually 80 percent of the calls this week have asked 'Now we can only get one fish?'" Bondioli said.

The confusion stems from a federal rule that went into effect last month limiting anglers fishing from charter boats in Southeast Alaska from two halibut per day to one halibut per day. That area is designated as 2C.

Homer-area waters, or area 3A, are currently not affected by the new rule, but anglers from the Lower 48 and even some in Alaska don't know the difference, Bondioli said.

"We had a guy going out with us that lived in Fairbanks who said his wife has called him to say he was only going to get one fish," Bondioli said. "They don't get that this is a different area."

The result is the fewest early-June bookings in 11 years for Bondioli's company, Captain B's Alaskan C's Adventures, she said.

"Usually I am booked fully for the first two weeks of June," Bondioli said Tuesday. "This year, I have six days open between now and June 15."

Other captains are sharing similar stories of people being confused as to Homer-area limits.

Bob Howard of Sea Nymph Charters in Homer said he had a group of folks from Wasilla who went out with him thinking they were only allowed to catch one fish each.

"That's the concerning thing," Howard said. "We're not doing a good job of getting the word out. If you can drive to a fishing port, you can still catch two halibut."

Add a weak overall economy and skyrocketing gas and diesel prices to the mix, and captains are looking for ways to cut costs while still providing an enjoyable experience, Howard said.

"All of us are trying to hold our fuel costs down," he said. Howard said he is cutting extra weight from his boat by optimizing his fuel load and getting rid of excess gear in order to improve gas mileage. His boat, the M/V Sea Nymph, is equipped with twin diesel 265 hp Perkins engines and costs about $5 per mile to run.

Bondioli's boat, the M/V Ashtikan has twin 455 diesels aboard and costs closer to $10 per mile to run.

The price of gas and diesel is felt every time captains fill up their boats, but what isn't so certain is how high prices will affect the summer tourism season in general.

"We won't know till the fat lady sings," Howard said.

Some visitors may come to town before it gets even more expensive, while others are putting all their disposable income into their gas tanks, he said.

Still others view a trip to Alaska as a once-in-a-lifetime event, said Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby Coordinator Paula Frisinger. And they will pay whatever it costs.

So far, ticket sales for the derby have been "slow and steady," said Frisinger.

"Everybody is doing about average," she said.

Ben Stuart can be reached at ben.stuart@homernews.com.