152.8 – Kathy Young – Fairbanks, AK – Reel Dreams – 5.26.24
VALDEZ, Alaska – The Valdez Halibut Derby kicked off Saturday, May 25th with anglers excited to get their lines in the water. RVs rolled into town, Valdez shops were busy selling Fish Derby tickets and visitors enjoyed sunny weather both Saturday and Sunday. The Valdez Halibut Derby started Saturday, but the first weigh-in of the season came early Sunday night when Alan Buss of Eielson Air Force Base weighed in a 95.4-pound halibut. Buss said he caught the first big fish, but within 10 minutes of catching his big one, another angler on board had an 80-pound halibut onboard. He said both fish measured 60 inches in length, and we’re caught just outside Hinchinbrook Island. “It was exhilarating,” Buss said., however the excitement of being in the lead was cut short later that evening as Kathy Young of Fairbanks brought in a 152.8-pound halibut and took the lead in the derby.
At the end of the Memorial Day weekend, Young is leading the Valdez Halibut Derby and in the running for the $10,000 first place overall prize and in 1st place for the derby week. Buss is currently in 2nd place overall and 2nd place for the week. If his fish holds on through the end of the first derby week on Saturday, he could win a prize. Yencid Bustos of Fairbanks is currently in 3rd place in the Valdez Halibut Derby with a 92.2-pound halibut she caught aboard the Josie Whales.
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 $1,500. Halibut derby anglers can also win weekly 1st and 2nd place prizes in the derby. The Halibut Hullabaloo is slated for June 7th through 16th. 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.
Valdez Fish Derbies will also hold a “Tagged Fish Contest” August 10th 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. There will be one tagged silver salmon worth $10,000. All silver salmon derby rules apply for the “Tagged Fish Contest” and rules and more information can be found at www.valdezfishderbies.com
The Valdez Silver Salmon derby begins Saturday, July 20th 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 28th as well as September 1st. The angler catching the biggest fish on Big Prize Friday will win $500 cash in addition to the regular daily prizes.
The Valdez Women’s Silver Salmon Derby is Saturday, August 10th and the Valdez Kid’s Pink Salmon Derby is Saturday, July 20th. 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
1st Kathy Young | Fairbanks, AK | 152.8 lbs. | May 26 | Reel Dreams
2nd Alan Buss | Eielson AFB, AK | 95.4 lbs. | May 26 | Nunatak
3rd Yencid Bustos | Fairbanks, AK | 92.2 lbs. | May 26 | Josie Whales
Halibut Derby – Weekly Leaders – Week #1
1st Kathy Young | Fairbanks, AK | 152.8 lbs. | May 26 | Reel Dreams
2nd Alan Buss | Eielson AFB, AK | 95.4 lbs. | May 26 | Nunatak