Last week’s big Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby news was the 335-pound halibut caught by 16-year-old Jackson Hobbs of Franklin, Idaho. This week it’s a 12.6-pound flat fish in the news, brought in by Andrew VanderPlaat of Pendleton, Ore.
While Hobbs has to wait until the derby ends Sept. 15 to see if his barndoor wins this year’s jackpot, VanderPlaat already knows the value of his catch since it was wearing a tag worth $500 sponsored by Tom and Debbie Stroozas of AmericasCuisine.com. VanderPlaat caught the halibut Aug. 21 while fishing with Capt. David Bayes of DeepStrike Sportfishing aboard the Grand Aleutian.
There were no changes in the top 10 fish on the derby leader board this week.
First place: 335.0-pound halibut caught Aug. 19 by Jackson Hobbs of Franklin, Idaho, while fishing with Capt. Travis Larson of Alaska Premier Sportfishing aboard the Venturess;
Second 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;
Third place: 197.00-pound halibut caught July 14 by Mark Meaders of Lake Geneva, Wis., while fishing with Alaskan Fishing Adventures aboard the Yoda;
Fourth 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;
Fifth place: 185.0-pound halibut caught July 6 by Casey Byrnes of Palmer while fishing with Capt. Josh Brooks of Brooks Alaskan Adventures aboard the Huntress;
Sixth place: 164.60-pound halibut caught Aug. 14 by Ryan Giada of Anchorage while fishing with Capt. Gabe Linegar of Drift Alaska Charter aboard the Casino;
Seventh place: 141.80-pound halibut caught July 5 by Michael Martini of Sunman, Ind., while fishing with Capt. Ben Martin of North Country Charters.
Eighth 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.
Ninth place: 134.40-pound halibut caught June 22 by Sean Hoffbeck of Kenai while fishing with Capt. Gabe Linegar of Drift Alaska Charters aboard the Casino;
Tenth place: 133.20-pound halibut caught Aug. 3 by Milsah Bolen of Sardis, Ohio, while fishing with Capt. Rob Hyslip of Big Bear Halibut Charters aboard the Bear Force I.
Derby tickets are $10 a day and can be purchased at the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, derby headquarters on the Spit, Safeway, Boardwalk Bakery and several charters including Bob’s Trophy Charters, Central Charters, Inlet Charters and Sport Shed.
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.
