Extended Homer Halibut Tournament Now Underway Until September 2

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

BY CHRIS COCOLES

Homer’s new-look halibut tournament is stretching its legs this spring and summer.

After retiring its 30-plus-year weekend Jackpot Halibut Derby in 2019, a new, longer event – the Homer Halibut Derby – was introduced in 2023 (Alaska Sporting Journal, June 2023). Last year’s debut was a bit of a test run to see how a longer event could function.

“Last year, the derby ran just during the month of June as we tested the new software system and weigh-in process. The system worked very well, so we are rolling it out to a larger time frame this summer,” says Brad Anderson, executive director of the Homer Chamber of Commerce.

The derby began on May 13 and runs all the way through September 2, Labor Day Monday.

“With this new version of the derby, daily tickets can be purchased online up until 8 a.m. on the day of fishing, and we have added a weekly prize element,” Anderson adds.

MORE TIME TO FISH

One of the signature events of Alaska’s fishing calendar is the Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament, a one-day frenzy of fishing boats heading out onto Cook Inlet and Kachemak Bay in search of a payday fish that culminates with weigh-ins and trophy ceremonies back at the port.

The tournament is a popular event for Alaskans, who, after enduring the usual dark and cold winter, can gear up for the arrival of fishing and tourist seasons later in the spring and summer.

“The Winter King Tournament has become the largest fishing event in Alaska, so it takes a tremendous amount of planning and staffing to pull it all off,” Anderson says. “This is a much simpler event to coordinate, as everything is basically done on the tournament website, homerhalibuttournament.com, and it extends over a longer time frame. We will be working in partnership with the Homer Charter Association, so those fishing charters will greatly help get their clients connected to the derby.”

GET YOUR TICKETS

It’s an easy prospect to get signed into the derby anytime between the opening day on May 13 all the way through September 2. A daily ticket costs $40.

“You must purchase your daily derby ticket by 8 a.m. on the day you plan to go fishing. That is all you need to do to get entered into the derby. There will be prizes for the largest halibut caught each week and for the largest caught by the end of the derby,” Anderson says.

“There is also a Released Fish category if you choose to release a 48-inch or larger fish. A random winner will be selected from that category and will receive a cash prize of $1,000.”

According to the derby’s official rules, “All fish entries with a derby ticket must be brought in and/or weighed between 2-6 p.m. on the day caught. The minimum size to be weighed is 55 inches. Participating anglers must be accompanied by a witness (preferred captain or deckhand) to testify that the fish was caught following official derby rules. Anglers entering and weighing fish at Derby Headquarters must complete all official forms. Weighing must be done according to standard derby procedure and certified by a weigh-in official.”

The weekly derby runs Mondays through Sundays throughout the tournament. If no halibut caught and recorded during the week is over 55 inches, the cash prize amount carries over to the following week.

June also marks the Homer Halibut Festival, which features two big events on the calendar. The June 20 Homer Summer Solstice festival will be one of the busier times of the season in the port city.

“It will take place at the Homer Chamber of Commerce property and will feature live music, a beer garden, a deckhand skills contest, food trucks, vendors and a street fair,” Anderson says.

After the conclusion of the season-long halibut derby is the Big ’But Ball, scheduled for Saturday, September 7.

“This is a fun-filled evening of food, music and dancing to celebrate the end of the summer fishing season and pay tribute to Homer’s designation as the Halibut Fishing Capital of the world,” Anderson adds.

FLATFISH FRENZY

Anderson says Homer’s halibut are around most of the year, but fishing should be solid throughout the duration of the derby.

And as locals around Homer and the Kenai Peninsula, other instate residents and Lower 48 visitors will attest, the port area and beyond should be buzzing throughout late spring and summer.

“Fishing is a big part of the local economy for Homer, and we are world-renowned for our halibut fishing. However, Homer is also the top bear-viewing region in Alaska,” Anderson adds. “There is a thriving culinary scene led by our fresh seafood, our arts community was just recognized by USA Today as the fourth best small arts town in America and we are blessed with some of the most stunningly beautiful views anywhere in Alaska.” ASJ

Editor’s note: To learn more about visiting Homer, go to homeralaska.org.