VALDEZ, Alaska – The Valdez Fish Derbies weigh-in station was busy with anglers weighing in fish for a chance to take home the Halibut Hullabaloo grand prize. Many fish were weighed in just over 100 pounds. Currently leading the Halibut Hullabaloo is Larry Bazilwich of Fairbanks with a 150.4 pound halibut he caught June 11th aboard the Jaime Lynn. Bazilwich stands to win a $1,000 cash prize in addition to regular derby prizes if his fish is the largest weighed in between June 10th and 19th.
The overall halibut derby leader is David Jamison of Fairbanks who reeled in a 253 pound halibut May 29th aboard the Nanatuk. Bazilwich is currently in 2nd place overall with the 150.4 pounder he caught June 11th aboard the Jaime Lynn and currently in 3rd place overall is Jim Rothenbuhler of Salcha who reeled in a 145 pound halibut June 9th aboard the Bucket List.
The overall grand prize in the Halibut Derby is $15,000. The 2nd place prize is $5,000 and 3rd place in the Valdez Halibut Derby takes home $2,000. In addition to those prizes, and the Halibut Hullabaloo tournament, there are weekly 1st and 2nd place prizes. The derby week runs from Sunday through the following Saturday. Bazilwich of Fairbanks is the weekly winner for week #3 in the derby and Rothenbuhler of Salcha is the 2nd place weekly winner. The weekly 1st place prize packet included a halibut charter from Alaska Marine Guides, a Valdez Fish Derbies jacket and t-shirt as well as gift certificates to Prospector Outfitters and Sportsman’s Warehouse. The 2nd place weekly prize included a cabin rental at Eagles Rest RV Park, gift certificates and a Valdez Fish Derbies t-shirt and vest. The list of prizes can be found at www.valdezfishderbies.com on the Halibut Derby page.
With the pink salmon season just around the corner, organizers are gearing up for the Kids Pink Salmon Derby. The pinks generally start running late June and by the first week in July fish will start to settle in around Allison Point. Anglers are already reporting sightings of pinks while fishing for halibut. The Kids Pink Salmon Derby is Saturday, July 18th. The Kids Derby is free and the first 200 kids to weigh in a fish get a free t-shirt. The top three fish in four different age divisions will win a prize. There’s a free family BBQ at the end of the Derby. More information on the Kids Derby, Women’s Silver Salmon Derby and other derby activities and events can be found at www.valdezfishderbies.com.
Halibut Derby – Overall Leaders
1st David Jamison Fairbanks, AK 253.0 lbs. May 29 Nanatuk
2nd Larry Bazilwich Fairbanks, AK 150-4 lbs. June 11 Jaime Lynn
3rd Jim Rothenbuhler Salcha, AK 145.0 lbs. June 9 Jaime Lynn
Halibut Derby – Weekly Winners – Week #4
1st Larry Bazilwich Fairbanks, AK 150-4 lbs. June 11 Jaime Lynn
2nd Jim Rothenbuhler Salcha, AK 145.0 lbs. June 9 Jaime Lynn