VALDEZ, Alaska – Another 200 pound plus halibut made its way to Valdez and the Halibut Derby leader board. Kim Steiger of Westchester, PA pulled in a 211 pound halibut July 5th aboard the Halibut Grove. “It wasn’t that hard to pull in”, commented Steiger. “I think it was tired. When we saw it on the side of the boat and how big it was, I was shocked”. Steiger said she had been halibut fishing once before and was not very successful. She said she decided her goal for her 2nd halibut trip was to get something taller than she is and that weighs more. Steiger’s halibut measured 70 inches long.
David Jamison of Fairbanks is still leading the Valdez Halibut Derby with the 253 pound fish he caught May 29th aboard the Nanatuk. Jeff Leaverton of Madisonville, Louisiana is currently holding onto 3rd place in the overall standings with a 174.4 pound halibut he caught June 16th aboard the Dan Orion.
According to Alaska Department of Fish and Game, anglers should keep an eye out for silver salmon as reports are trickling in of a few early catches further out in the Sound. Pink salmon are definitely in. Pink salmon fishing has been very productive at Allison Point with anglers catching their limit in a matter of hours. Pixies, spinners and Vibrax are all good options. Lingcod fishing opened July 1st. Minimal reports were received according to ADF&G. They suggest anglers try targeting rocky pinnacles with jigs.
The Valdez Kids Pink Salmon Derby is Saturday, July 23rd. The Kids Derby is open to children age 5 to 16 and there is no fee to enter. Kids just need to weigh-in a pink salmon at the Valdez Fish Derbies weigh-in station Saturday, July 23rd to get a t-shirt and have a chance of winning one of the top three spots in their age division. A free family barbeque and awards will follow the day of fishing. The first 300 kids to stop by the weigh-in will get a free t-shirt courtesy of Alyeska Pipeline Service Company and the Valdez Fish Derbies.
The Silver Salmon Derby will start July 23rd and the Women’s Derby is Saturday, August 12th with an opening ceremony on Friday, August 11th. Valdez Fish Derbies dates, prizes, rules, winners, pictures and more can be found at www.valdezfishderbies.com.
Halibut Derby – Overall Leaders
1st David Jamison Fairbanks, AK 253.0 lbs. May 29 Nanatuk
2nd Kim Steiger Westchester, PA 211.0 lbs. July 5 Halibut Grove
3rd Jeff Leaverton Madisonville, LA 174.4 lbs. June 16 Dan Orion
Halibut Derby – Weekly Winners – Week #8
1st Kim Steiger Westchester, PA 211.0 lbs. July 5 Halibut Grove
2nd Jeffrey Squires Bath, NY 171.0 lbs. July 8 Sea Hunter