Valdez, Alaska – You never know when a big halibut will bite the hook of a derby angler. Last year, David Jamison of Fairbanks reeled in a 253.0 pound halibut May 29th and held on to win the $15,000 grand prize in the Valdez Halibut Derby. Jamison said that at the time he caught his halibut he had no idea the grand prize was $15,000. Jamison said in May that if his halibut held on to win the grand prize, he would likely use his winnings to come back to Valdez to do more fishing.
A quick review of halibut winners through the past few years illustrates that predicting when the derby winner will be caught is a tough proposition. In 2015, Fred Hyder of Willow, Alaska caught his derby winning 253.8 pound halibut on July 25th. In 2014 Scott Hebig of Wasilla, Alaska caught a 203.6 pound halibut June 20th to win the derby. James Culley of Fairbanks caught his derby winning 325.0 pound halibut July 21st, 2013 and the biggest derby fish in Valdez, 343.6 pounder, was caught August 5th, 2006 by Kevin Lincoln of North Pole, Alaska. A complete listing of Valdez Halibut Derby winners can be found on “Previous Winners” page at www.valdezfishderbies.com.
If history repeats itself, the Valdez Halibut Derby weigh-in station should busy the next two weekends for the Valdez Halibut Hullabaloo. This is a 10-day tournament that runs during the regular derby. The person catching the largest fish between June 9th and 18th will take home $1,000 cash in addition to the regular derby prizes. There is no additional ticket or registration for this tournament. Anyone fishing with a regular daily or season ticket during the Halibut Hullabaloo is eligible for the bonus prize of $1,000.
Lingcod fishing is closed until July 1st but Alaska Department of Fish and Game reports anglers are picking up nice catches of rockfish. Rockfish can be caught year round throughout Prince William Sound. Bag limits starting May 1st through 15th are four per day, eight in possession of which only two may be non-pelagic. Shrimp season opened April 15th and good catches are being reported. ADF&G reports targeting depths of 350 to 450 feet have been productive.
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. The Kids Pink Salmon Derby is Saturday, July 22nd. 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 Eli Ludwig Fairbanks, AK 143.4 lbs. June 9 Dan Orion
2nd Victor Weaver Valdez, AK 126.4 lbs. June 9 Fishin Frenzy
3rd Matthew Boltz Dallas, TX 115.6 lbs. June 9 Jamie Lynn
Halibut Derby – Weekly Winners – Week #3
1st Eli Ludwig Fairbanks, AK 143.4 lbs. June 9 Dan Orion
2nd Victor Weaver Valdez, AK 126.4 lbs. June 9 Fishin Frenzy