Less than a month into the 2013 Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby, April Saputski of Rathdrum, Idaho, has taken the lead with a 142.2-pound flat fish caught May 27, while fishing with Capt. Scott Glosser of Captain Scott’s Sport Fishing aboard the Mako.

Saputski’s catch puts Janet Baldauf of Homer into second place with the only other fish turned in at this point, a 10-pound halibut caught May 19, while fishing with Capt. Pete Wedin of Pete’s Alaskan Experience aboard the Julia Lynn. The largest fish caught in the derby, which began May 15 and ends Sept. 15, takes home the $10,000 jackpot prize.

Baldauf’s fish may be small, but it may be worth more than the jackpot. It is one of 114 halibut caught, tagged and released earlier this year by members of the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, sponsors of the derby, and local charter captains. The business-sponsored tags include:

• A GCI-sponsored tag worth $50,000; 

•
A Stanley Ford of Kenai-sponsored tag worth a new Ford F-150 pickup; 

• Four tagged halibut worth $10,000 each; 

• 38 tagged halibut worth $ 1,000 each; 

• 59 tagged halibut worth $500 each; and 

• 11 tagged halibut worth $250 each. 

The value of the tagged halibut caught, including Baldauf’s fish, will be announced at the end of the derby. Any halibut caught with a tag from previous derbies is worth $100 in Homerbucks.

Derby coordinator Paula Frisinger reminds anglers that Homer has a two halibut limit per day, per person. To qualify for prizes, anglers must purchase a derby ticket prior to fishing. The tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at the visitor center and at many local businesses. For more information, call the chamber at 235-7740 or visit
www.homerhalibutderby.com. 

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