Valdez Halibut Derby Is Underway!

The following is courtesy of Valdez Fish Derbies:

VALDEZ, Alaska – The Valdez Halibut Derby kicked off Saturday, May 22nd with anglers excited to get their lines in the water. Dixie Jennings of Fairbanks holds 1st place weekly and overall with the very first fish weighed for the 2021 season, a 97.8 pound halibut caught May 22nd aboard the LIAHO. Holding 2nd place for the week as well as overall is Chase Tomlinson of North Pole with an 80.1 pound halibut caught May 23rd aboard the Nunatak. In 3rd place overall is Jesus Segura of North Pole with a 71.2 pound halibut caught May 23rd aboard the Bold Eagle. 

Dixie Jennings of Fairbanks is the early leader of the Valdez Halibut Derby with this 97.8-pounder. (PHOTOS BY VALDEZ FISH DERBIES)

The grand prize for catching the largest fish in the Valdez Halibut Derby is $10,000 cash. The 2nd place prize is $3,000 and 3rd place is $1500. Halibut derby anglers can also win weekly 1st and 2nd place prizes in the derby. The Halibut Hullabaloo is slated for June 5th through 14th. The angler catching the largest halibut during this period will win $1000 in addition to the daily prizes. Weekly prizes include tours, accommodations and retail gift certificates, fishing charters, and Valdez Fish Derbies apparel.

Valdez Fish Derbies will also hold a “Tagged Fish Contest” August 13th through September 7th. 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 rules and more information can be found atwww.valdezfishderbies.com

The Valdez Silver Salmon derby begins Saturday, July 24th featuring prizes for the two biggest fish caught daily as well as prizes for the three biggest fish overall. The grand prize for catching the largest fish in the Valdez Silver Salmon Derby is $10,000 cash. The 2nd place prize is $3,000 and 3rd place is $1500. Big Prize Fridays are scheduled for July 30th as well as September 3rd.

The Valdez Women’s Silver Salmon Derby is happening Saturday, August 14th, and the Valdez Kid’s Pink Salmon Derby is on Saturday, July 24th. Find weigh-in hours, ticket vendor locations, and more at www.valdezfishderbies.com.

North Pole’s Chase Tomlinson is in second with this fish that weighed 80 pounds, 6 ounces.

Jesus Segura with a 71.2-pounder, good for third place.

Halibut Derby – Overall Leaders

1st        Dixie Jennings             Fairbanks, AK               97.8 lbs.           May 22            LIAHO

2nd               Chase Tomlinson          North Pole, AK            80.1 lbs.           May 23             Nunatak

3rd        Jesus Segura                 North Pole, AK              71.2 lbs.           May 23              Bold Eagle

Halibut Derby – Weekly Leaders – Week #1

1st        Dixie Jennings             Fairbanks, AK               97.8 lbs.           May 22            LIAHO

2nd               Chase Tomlinson          North Pole, AK            80.1 lbs.           May 23             Nunatak