Almost One Month Countdown To Homer Winter King Tournament

The following appears in the February issue of Alaska Sporting Journal: 

Mark your calendar, get your boat ready, buy your fishing license and new salmon tackle and prepare to fish in one of Alaska’s largest fishing competitions.

The Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center will host its 26th annual Winter King Salmon Tournament on March 23. 

This is considered the premier fishing tournament in the state and every year anglers take to the waters of Kachemak Bay in search of king salmon that could win them some great cash prizes. 

The one-day tournament awards tens of thousands of dollars in prize money for the largest kings caught. 

In 2018, Charlie Edwards of nearby Fritz Creek caught the tournament winner, a 24-pound, 6-ounce Chinook while fishing with Capt. Daniel Donich on his boat, the Optimist. 

Edwards’ fish was also best in the white king salmon category as part of the overall competition. 

His total winnings, including the side bets that are a big tradition with this tournament, totaled $56,902.50. 

The total payouts in 2018 included $160,000 in cash and prizes

For this year’s derby there have been substantial efforts towards king salmon conservation. 

The tournament committee and Homer Chamber of Commerce directors are committed to the long-term sustainability of the winter king fishery, and the chamber would like to say a special thank you to the anglers this year who have supported the tournament’s conservation efforts by harvesting one fish.

Prizes will be offered every hour of the 2019 tournament. 

After the fishing lines are pulled from the water, join the festivities at the weigh-in located at Coal Point on the Homer Spit (4306 Homer Spit Road). 

For more information, contact Debbie Speakman, executive director for the Homer Chamber of Commerce (907-235-7740; exdir@homeralaska.org). 

You can also go to homeralaska.org/winter-king-salmon-tournament and facebook.com/HomerWinterKingSalmonTournament. ASJ