Derby News - Week 1 Winners

Out of State Anglers Hit Leader Board

2 Halibut Limit

Valdez charter operators are trying to educate anglers on the difference between South Central and Southeast Alaska this week after an announcement hit the news media regarding a reduced halibut limit in Southeast. Valdez is in South Central and the halibut limit remains two per day for South Central. According to Alaska Wildlife Trooper Tony Beck, there are relatively few changes to the sport fishing regulations for the 2008 season. “The halibut limit has not changed for the Valdez area”, Beck confirmed. “It’s definitely two per day and an additional two in possession”.

It has been confirmed that the halibut limit is two, but it only takes one big one to make the leader board in the Valdez Halibut Derby. Danny Allen of Sutton, Alaska won first place for the week in the Valdez Halibut Derby with the 128 pound fish he caught May 25th aboard the Harvester. Sage Bainter of Big Timber, Montana took 2nd place for the initial week in the derby and is currently in 2nd place overall with a 114.7 pound flatfish caught May 29th aboard the Dan Orion. Allen said, “My boss wouldn’t let me go without a derby ticket” and it paid off as he took home a first place prize package worth more than two hundred and fifty dollars.

In the Valdez Halibut Derby, there are weekly 1st and 2nd place prizes as well as prizes for the top three fish caught during the season. Ron Cihak of Woodword, Oklahoma finished just ounces away from the weekly money fish with a 114.4 pound halibut. His current standing at 3rd place overall is not likely to hold through the end of the season, but he was happy nonetheless.

The 1st place weekly winner in the Valdez Halibut Derby takes home a “Winner” fleece jacket embroidered with the Valdez Fish Derby logo and the 2nd place weekly winner receives a “Winner” t-shirt in addition to the other prizes. The 1st place prize package is worth $250 or more in prizes each week, while the 2nd place weekly prize is a minimum of $75 in prizes. The big prize money is awarded to the anglers catching the largest halibut. The largest halibut in the 2008 derby will win $15,000 cash, the 2nd place overall prize is $5,000 and 3rd place overall is $2,000. In addition, every person who buys a derby ticket will be entered in a drawing to win a 4x4 Ford Ranger truck from Seekins Ford.

Halibut Derby Overall Leaders

Danny Allen
Sutton, AK
128.0 lbs on May 25
Harvester

Ron Cihak
Woodward, OK
114.4 lbs on May 30
Dawn Treader

Halibut Derby Week #1 (May 25 - 31)

Danny Allen
Sutton, AK
128.0 lbs on May 25
Harvester

Ron Cihak
Woodward, OK
114.4 lbs on May 30
Dawn Treader