Derby News - Week 2 Winners (June 1 - June 7)
First Time Halibut Angler Reels in 147.5 Pounder
With clear skies, calm seas and more than sixty service men and women in Valdez for a military appreciation day, the stage was set for a great fish story. Ben Ponting of Tonsina, Alaska delivered that story and a new derby leading fish when he brought his 147.5 pound halibut to Port Valdez Sunday night. “I’ve never been halibut fishing in my life until today”, Pointing said. “I’m just kind of surprised and happy”. Ponting continued to tell his story, remembering how hard it was to get the fish out of the water and said his reaction when it surfaced was basically “Oh my God”.
A fairly standard big fish story ...until you talk with Ponting’s wife, who says her husband left out one part of the story. “Immediately when he got it on board, he started vomiting over the side of the boat. He said he felt fine, but I think he was lying and he was seasick and just the exertion he used pulling the fish into the boat”. Despite the seasickness, all the anglers on the boat returned with their limit and for everyone but Ponting’s wife, catching the big one will be what they remember.
Ponting is now the overall leader in the Valdez Halibut Derby with the 147.5 pound fish he caught aboard the Faithful and is currently in 1st place for week 3 in the halibut derby. The charter boat fleet was out in full-force for military appreciation day and many large fish made it to Port Valdez, but Ponting was the only one to break into the overall standings. Currently in 2nd place overall is Danny Allen of Sutton, Alaska who caught a 128 pounder aboard the Harvester. Sage Bainter of Big Timber, Montana is hanging onto 3rd place with the 114.7 pounder he caught aboard the Outlaw.
The Halibut fishing in Valdez had been slow, but charter captains were optimistic about finding more halibut now that the water temperature has warmed up. “With the warm water and better weather, I think the fish are finally starting to move in,” said charter captain of the Faithful Dan Ames. According to Brian Marston of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, good halibut fishing can be found in the waters around Hinchinbrook Entrance, Montague Strait, and outside of Montague Island. Valdez anglers typically fishing in smaller boats have been satisfied with their recent catches in the Northeast part of the sound, including Jack Bay, Galena Point, Port Fidalgo, Knowles Head and Bligh reef.
Halibut Derby Overall Leaders
Ben Ponting
Tonsina, AK
147.5 lbs on June 8
Faithful
Danny Allen
Sutton, AK
128.0 lbs on May 25
Harvester
Sage Bainter
Big Timber, MT
114.7 lbs on May 29
Dan Orion
Halibut Derby Week #2 (June 1 - June 7)
Brett Nelson
Palmer, AK
82.8 lbs on June 7
Dan Orion
Ann Rippy
Fairbanks, AK
75.3 lbs on June 7
Dan Orion