Halibut Fishing in the Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby 2007 Results Prizes Last YearÂ’s Winners Tickets ... Homer Information In Memory of Zahary Martushev September 5, 1982 January 5, 2008 Jerry Saunders and his 358.4 lb 2007 Jackpot Winner 2007 Halibut Derby Jackpot Prize is $37,243 It was June 28 when Jerry Saunders hooked into his huge jackpot winning halibut in Cook Inlet. He has had a long wait but now the payoff is near. Jerry was awarded his prize winning check Friday night, October 5 at the Homer Halibut Derby Awards Party. Jerry won $37,243. Jerry was out fishing with is friend, Ken Petska in Ken's boat when they thought they were hung up on a rocky bottom near the Chugach Islands, just south of the Kenai Peninsula. He knew it was a huge halibut and not a rock when it started swimming sideways away from them. The halibut tried to hide under the boat and fought hard for about half an hour. When the fish finally surfaced, 5 anglers were unable to haul it into the boat, so they hoisted it as far as the swim platform and headed to Homer to get it weighed for the Halibut Derby. Jerry's fish is the third largest halibut to win the Homer Halibut Derby. The largest was caught in 1996 and weighed 376 lbs. Two other large halibut were entered in the derby this year weighing 340 lbs and 333 lbs. Either of these fish could have been winners in previous years. This winning fish produces another winner also. The individual who sold Jerry the winning ticket wins $1,000. That is Cassie Davis of Anchor Point, going to college in Hilo, HI. | |
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