VALDEZ, Alaska – Dorris Miller of North Pole is currently leading the Valdez Halibut Derby with a 109.6-pound halibut caught May 21st aboard the Dan Orion. Rosina Mancari of Anchorage, AK in 2nd with a 107.4-pound halibut caught May 24th aboard the Reel Nuts; 3rd place is held my Tim Hastings of Valdez, AK with a 105.6-pound halibut caught May 22nd aboard the Redhead.
The Valdez Halibut Derby kicked off May 18th and a halibut weighing more than 100 pounds took the lead right away. By day five of the derby, all three overall leaders weighed in at more than 100 pounds. Sunny weather and good conditions allowed charters and personal anglers hit the waters of Prince William Sound and the harbor was busy with anglers cleaning their catch.
Charter Captains in Valdez are preparing for a busy season as anglers have high hopes of being the winner of the $10,000 first place prize in the Valdez Halibut Derby. The investment to compete in the Valdez Halibut Derby and have the chance to win the $10,000 first place prize is $10 for a daily ticket. Those who fish a lot can pick up a halibut season ticket for $50. The 2nd place prize in the Halibut Derby is $3,000 and 3rd place prize is $1,500. Ticket sale locations can be found at www.valdezfishderbies.com. The limit for halibut in Prince William Sound is still two per person, and one of those fish can be no longer than 29 inches in length. Halibut weigh-ins are conducted at the derby shack, located kitty corner from the Harbormasters office.
Halibut derby anglers can also win weekly 1st and 2nd place prizes in the derby. The Halibut Hullabaloo is slated for June 8th through 17th. The angler catching the largest halibut during this period will win $1,000 in addition to the daily prizes. Weekly prizes include glacier cruises, accommodations and retail gift certificates, fishing charters, and Valdez Fish Derbies apparel.
This year, the Valdez Fish Derbies will also hold a “Tagged Fish Contest” August 9th through September 1st. If an angler catches a tagged silver salmon during that time period and turns it into the Valdez Fish Derbies weigh-in shack, they win cash or prizes. All silver salmon derby rules apply for the “Tagged Fish Contest” and anglers must present the fish with the tag fully intact and attached to the salmon.
The Kids Pink Salmon Derby has been set for Saturday, July 20th and will feature 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes in four different age divisions. The Kids derby is free and open to kid’s age 5 to 16 years of age. The Silver Salmon Derby in Valdez will again boast a $10,000 first place prize and daily prizes and runs July 20th through September 1st. The Annual Valdez Women’s Derby is slated for Saturday, August 10th with an opening ceremony Friday, August 9th and the closing ceremony Saturday night.
There will be a $500 prize for the vendor and operator selling the winning derby ticket in both derbies. For more information on the Valdez Derbies, visit: www.valdezfishderbies.com
Halibut Derby – Overall Leaders
1st Dorris Miller North Pole, AK 109.6 lbs. May 21 Dan Orion
2nd Rosina Mancari Anchorage, AK 107.4 lbs. May 24 Reel Nuts
3rd Tim Hastings Valdez, AK 105.6 lbs. May 27 Redhead
Halibut Derby – Weekly Winners – Week #1
1st Dorris Miller North Pole, AK 109.6 lbs. May 21 Dan Orion
2nd Rosina Mancari Anchorage, AK 107.4 lbs. May 24 Reel Nuts