Big Bear In The News
Nevada woman takes lead in Homer halibut derby
Anchorage Daily News sports@adn.com
Published: July 6th, 2010 12:45 PM
Nevada angler Cheryl Goeke landed a 250.6-pound halibut Thursday to grab the top spot in the Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby. Goeke's fish, caught with captain Jim Craddock of Big Bear Halibut Charters, edged former derby leader Staff Sgt. Jesus Torres of Elmendorf Air Force Base by 2.6 pounds. Torres had held the top spot since May 21. A woman has not claimed the overall Homer derby title since Yolanda McCarter of California captured the 1993 title with a 308-pound halibut. Three other fish weighing more than 130 pounds were landed Thursday, with Dixie Lee Micke of California grabbing second place in the monthly competition with a 184.4-pounder. Alaska's richest fishing derby continues through the end of September. The winner last year earned about $40,400.
Read more: http://www.adn.com/2010/07/02/1351471/nevada-woman-takes-lead-in-homer.html#ixzz0sxJvGvHs
Anchorage Daily News sports@adn.com
Published: July 6th, 2010 12:45 PM
Nevada angler Cheryl Goeke landed a 250.6-pound halibut Thursday to grab the top spot in the Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby. Goeke's fish, caught with captain Jim Craddock of Big Bear Halibut Charters, edged former derby leader Staff Sgt. Jesus Torres of Elmendorf Air Force Base by 2.6 pounds. Torres had held the top spot since May 21. A woman has not claimed the overall Homer derby title since Yolanda McCarter of California captured the 1993 title with a 308-pound halibut. Three other fish weighing more than 130 pounds were landed Thursday, with Dixie Lee Micke of California grabbing second place in the monthly competition with a 184.4-pounder. Alaska's richest fishing derby continues through the end of September. The winner last year earned about $40,400.
Read more: http://www.adn.com/2010/07/02/1351471/nevada-woman-takes-lead-in-homer.html#ixzz0sxJvGvHs
Jody Hyslip Wins Womens Derby for June.
Last week, Arizona angler Jody Hyslip pulled in a 159-pounder to grab the lead in June's Lady Angler category, which earns the victor $1,000.
Read more: http://www.adn.com/2010/06/28/1345404/torres-248-pound-halibut-repels.html#ixzz0sxLVZGk6
Last week, Arizona angler Jody Hyslip pulled in a 159-pounder to grab the lead in June's Lady Angler category, which earns the victor $1,000.
Read more: http://www.adn.com/2010/06/28/1345404/torres-248-pound-halibut-repels.html#ixzz0sxLVZGk6
Tegan and the mermaid
Many of you may have seen or heard the story in the news paper, the Tonight Show, or on Yahoo News about the little six year old girl “Tegan” on one of our boats this last week that was fishing for a mermaid. While she didn’t catch a mermaid she did catch a 138 pound halibut, large enough to lead the women’s division of the Homer Halibut Derby. Not bad for a 40 pound girl. There were many positive responses to the story as well as some negative ones. Most of the negative responses were involving the shooting of the big halibut before bringing it onboard. Unfortunately the news paper reported that the halibut was shot with a sawed off shot gun, rather than a stubby store bought model. I think the real problem is that most people don’t understand the reason behind shooting big halibut before bringing them on board. And that lack of understanding fuels their comments. Why do charter boat captains shoot big halibut anyway?
Big halibut (usually 80 plus pounds) are shot to protect the customers and crew members from the fish flopping and thrashing on the deck. Big halibut can and do injure fishermen if they are allowed to flop around. If you have ever tried to corral and handle even a 30 or 40 pound king salmon you know the strength and power that a fish can have. Now imagine a 100, 200, or 300 pound thrashing fish in a confined space with a group of fishermen. If this is allowed to happen it is certainly a recipe for disaster.
Bottom line, big halibut are shot to protect the passengers and to dispatch the fish quickly and humanely. It is not about being cruel or macho.
The Homer Halibut Derby also has a drawing for people that choose to release big halibut. The crew will release the fish and sign as a witness of the release. The fisherman will then receive a certificate. The decision to keep or release the fish is up to the fisherman that hooked the fish. The Alaska fishing regulations state, that the fish is the property of the person that hooked the fish. This is why it is permissible to have another person assist in bringing in the fish.
Since Tegan’s willingness to admit that she would like to catch a mermaid we have had several other fishermen express a desire to have a mermaid as well.
Sorry boys we don’t have a mermaid guarantee!
To read the full story in the Los Angeles Times click here!