With less than a month until the 2013 Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby comes to an end, Marian Oritz of Cottonwood, Ariz., has turned in one of the halibut caught, tagged and released earlier this year.
Oritz landed the halibut Aug. 14 while fishing with Bob’s Trophy Charters.
That makes a total of 27 of the 114 flatfish sporting tags worth prizes that include:
• A GCI-sponsored tag worth $50,000;
• A Stanley Ford of Kenai-sponsored tag worth a new Ford F-150;
• Four tags worth $10,000;
• One of 38 tags worth $1,000 each:
• 59 tags worth $500 each; and
• 11 tags worth $250 each.
One tagged halibut was turned in at the weigh-in station on the Spit in May, 15 in June and 10 in July.
“Can’t wait to find out if we have had some big winners with those tagged fish already caught,” said Derby Coordinator Paula Frisinger. “Sept. 16 is the day we will announce all the winners for the Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby.”
Gene Jones of Belleview, Iowa, has kept the lead one more week in the derby’s big-fish category with a 236.2-pound halibut he reeled in July 25 while fishing with Capt. David Bayes of Central Charters aboard the Grand Aleutian. The fisherman with the biggest fish when the derby ends will claim the $10,000 jackpot prize.
There are plenty of other prizes in this year’s derby, sponsored by the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center.
Among them are kids’ prizes; a $100 prize for the angler bringing in a halibut with its eyes on the left, rather than the right, side of its head; there’s a $5,000 “Just for the Halibut Prize” ticket drawing; a $1,000 prize for the charter captain of the boat on which the winning fish is caught; and a $1,000 prize for the individual who sold the derby ticket to the winning angler.
“Don’t forget to buy your derby ticket,” said Frisinger, a reminder that prizes are only awarded to ticket-carrying anglers. Tickets are $10 a day and can be purchased at the chamber and from many local businesses.
Homer has a two halibut limit per day, per person.
For more information, visit homerhalibutderby.com or call 235-7740.
McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.
