When it comes to spreading the word about the Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby, why not let the halibut do it?
That was the case with a 35-inch halibut caught by Shawn Berndt of Stoughton, Wis. On July 23, Berndt was fishing with Marv’s Fishing Charter way over in Harris Bay off the Gulf of Alaska near the entrance to Resurrection Bay when he hooked into a 35-inch halibut. Turned out the
halibut was sporting a 2011 Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby tag.
Closer to home, there were no big or 2014 tagged halibut caught last week, but there were fish brought in. Kevin Anderson of Crystal, Minn., caught a 94.2-pound halibut July 21 while fishing with Capt. Mark Sutherland of Bob’s Trophy Charters aboard the vessel Tuff Stuff.
Angler Walter Spanton of South Jordan, Utah, hooked an impressive 18-pound yelloweye rockfish on his line while he was fishing July 21 with Capt. Eric Lehm of North Country Charters aboard the Storm Petrel. Dakota Buckley of Boise, Idaho, was fishing with Capt. Ben Martin of North Country Charters aboard the Fringe Benefit when he caught a 56-pound lingcod. Buckley also caught a 19-pound yelloweye rockfish.
The top 10 leaders remain the same in the Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby:
First place: 277.80-pound halibut caught July 14 by Ned Friedman of Chiloquin, Ore., while fishing with Capt. Greg Northover of Alaska Arctic Sun Fishing and Hunting Expeditions aboard the Quintessence;
Second place: 197.00-pound halibut caught July 14 by Mark Meaders of Lake Geneva, Wis., while fishing with Alaskan Fishing Adventures aboard the Yoda;
Third place: 196.80-pound halibut caught June 6 by Molly Malthby of Cheboygan, Mich., while fishing with Capt. Ben Martin of North Country Charters aboard the Fringe Benefit;
Fourth place: 185-pound halibut caught July 6 by
Casey Byrnes of Palmer while fishing with Capt. Josh Brooks of Brooks Alaskan Adventures aboard the Huntress;
Fifth place: 141.80-pound halibut caught July 5 by Michael Martini of Sunman, Ind., while fishing with Capt. Ben Martin of North Country Charters.
Sixth place: 139-pound halibut caught June 26 by Mike Leno while fishing with Capt. Rob Hyslip of Big Bear Halibut Charter aboard the Bear Force I.
Seventh place: 134.40-pound halibut caught June 22 by Sean Hoffbeck while fishing with Capt. Gabe Linegar of Drift Alaska Charters aboard the Casino;
Eighth place: 110.60-pound halibut caught June 22 by Weldon Creech of Houston, Texas, while fishing with Capt. Ethan Harders of Big Bear Halibut Charters aboard the Bear Force II;
Ninth place: 108.80-pound halibut caught June 4 by David Longacre of Orrstown, Pa., while fishing with Capt. Willie Beachey of Reel Fun Charters;
Tenth place: 106.60-pound halibut caught July 5 by David Conklin of North Pole while fishing with Capt. Ethan Harders of Big Bear Halibut Charters aboard Bear Force II.
The derby began May 15 and continues through Sept. 15. Derby tickets are $10 per day and can be purchased at the visitor center, derby headquarters on the Spit and at many local businesses.
Up-to-date results, a list of prizes and more derby information can be found at homeralaska.org or by calling 235-7740.
McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.
