The action is definitely picking up in the Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby since it began May 15. Currently leading the “big fish” category is Molly Malthby of Cheboygan, Mich., with a 196.80-pound halibut caught June 6.

Malthby hooked into the monster while fishing with Capt. Ben Martin aboard the Fringe Benefit for North Country Charters.

With Malthby leading the pack, current standings as of June 10 include:

Second place: 141.80-pound halibut caught June 5 by Michael Martini of Sunman, Ind., while fishing with Capt. Ben Martin of North Country Charters;

Third place: 108.80-pound halibut caught June 4 by David Longacre of Orrstown, Pa., while fishing with Capt. Willie Beachey of Reel Fun Charters; 

Fourth place: 91.20-pound halibut caught June 3 by Gordon Muir of Ft. Benton, Mont., while fishing with Capt. Pete Wedin of Captain Pete’s Charters aboard the Julia Lynn;

Fifth place: 82.40-pound halibut caught May 25 by Shawn Agnew of Erie, Ill., while fishing with Sea Flight Sportfishing Charters aboard the Seaflight;

Sixth place: 69.60-pound halibut caught May 24 by Michael “Micky” Shober of Gillette, Wyo., while fishing with Capt. Scott Glosser of Captain Scott’s Sportfishing;

Seventh place: 14.40-pound halibut caught May 21 by William “Bill” Shepherd of Everett, Wash., while fishing with Capt. David Bayes of Central Charters aboard the Grand Aleutian;

Eighth place: 10.00-pound halibut caught June 1 by Mark Mehalko of Grand Blanc, Mich., while fishing with Capt. Tom Bunnell of Halibut Hunter Charters aboard the Halibut Hunter.

Not only did Mehalko make his way onto the leader board with that 10-pound halibut, his fish, caught while trolling near Anchor Point, was sporting a tag worth $250.

The Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby, sponsored by the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, continues through Sept. 15.

Tickets are $10 a day and can be purchased at the visitor center, the derby office on the Spit and from many local businesses.

For more information, visit homeralaska.org/visit-homer/events-homer/homer-jackpot-halibut-derby.

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.