Valdez Halibut Derby Off And Running

The following is courtesy of Valdez Fish Derbies:

BIG FISH HIT LEADER BOARD EARLY IN VALDEZ HALIBUT DERBY

VALDEZ, Alaska – The Valdez Halibut Derby is under way and several anglers have already brought in fish above the 100-pound mark. Robert Moloney of Fairbanks reeled in a 130.4-pound halibut on the first day of the halibut derby May 24^th aboard the Hofshore. “We were out two days, and the second day I had kind of been thinking I wasn’t fishing all the right ways, slowly bringing them in and stuff. And so, I got a hit and the captain and his helper were helping somebody on the other side of the boat. And I just thought, I better do this myself” Moloney said. “I’m 81 so I’m not the strongest guy in the world, but I managed to get it over by the boat”.

Moloney was at the top of the leader board for just one day before Robert Hubert II of Wasilla reeled in a 140-pound halibut the 2^nd day of the derby aboard the Sentinel. Hubert’s fish held on to win the 1^st place weekly prize in the Valdez Halibut Derby. Moloney won 2^nd place with his 130.4-pound catch. Hubert is currently leading the overall derby, Moloney is currently the derby and Dolly Haddow of Valdez is currently 3^rd place overall with a 117-pound halibut she caught May 25^th aboard the Sea Master.

The grand prize for catching the largest fish in the Valdez Halibut Derby is $10,000 cash. The 2^nd place prize is $3,000 and 3^rd place is $1,500. Halibut derby anglers can also win weekly 1^st and 2^nd place prizes in the derby. The Halibut Hullabaloo is slated for June 6^th through 15^th. The angler catching the largest halibut during this period will win $1,000 in addition to the daily prizes. Weekly prizes include tours, accommodations and retail gift certificates, fishing charters, and Valdez Fish Derbies apparel.

The Valdez Silver Salmon derby begins Saturday, July 19^th and features prizes for the two biggest fish caught each day 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 $1,500. Big Prize Fridays are scheduled for July 25^th and Aug 29^th. The angler catching the biggest fish on Big Prize Friday will win $500 cash in addition to the regular daily prizes. 

Valdez Fish Derbies will also hold a new “Silver Salmon Slam” contest August 22^nd through 31^st. The angler catching the largest silver salmon during that period will win $1,000 cash in addition to the derby prizes. There is no additional cost to participate in the Silver Salmon Slam. Anglers just need to buy a daily or season Silver Salmon Derby ticket before going fishing.

The Valdez Women’s Silver Salmon Derby is Saturday, August 9^th and the Valdez Kid’s Pink Salmon Derby is Saturday, July 19^th. For weigh-in hours, ticket vendor locations, and more at www.valdezfishderbies.com. Media inquiries can be directed to valdeznews@kvakmedia.com.

Halibut Derby – Overall Leaders

1^st           Robert Hubert II                            Wasilla, AK                      140.0 lbs.         May 25                Hofshore

2^nd               Robert Moloney                            Fairbanks, AK                130.4 lbs.         May 24               Sentinel

3^rd          Dolly Haddow                                Valdez, AK                        117.0 lbs.         May 25               Sea Master

Halibut Derby – Weekly Leaders – Week #1

1^st           Robert Hubert II                            Wasilla, AK                      140.0 lbs.         May 25                               Hofshore

2^nd               Robert Moloney                            Fairbanks, AK               130.4 lbs.          May 24                               Sentinel