During what's typically a slow time of year for the local landings, Dana Wharf Sportfishing has a great thing going: close proximity to quality halibut fishing, and an ongoing derby to lure passengers onto its boats.
Friday was one of the most productive yet as seven of 23 anglers aboard the Clemente, during a nine-hour drift-fishing excursion, caught legal-sized halibut. Many shorts were released.
Friday also produced a new leader, Mike Knudston, who used whole squid to entice a 43.08-pound flattie onto his hook (see photos).
"We are loving our passengers they are doing great, and they're all very into it," said Donna Kalez, who runs Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale-watching. "For the first time ever all 25 leader board positions are filled. Now the fun starts; small fish will be knocked off and new leaders will fill the spots. It is really halibut crazy!"
Second in the derby is Peggy Stein with a 25.11-pounder, and third is Mike Pinson with a 25.07-pounder.
There are two ways to enter the derby, which runs through April 30 and features a fish-off on May 8. One is to simply board one of the nine-hour drift trips, which cost $59 and includes the $5 entry fee. The other is to pay the $5 fee before any half-day or three-quarter-day trip (entry is valid only during the day of the trip).
The more people who enter the bigger the prize will be at the end of the season (last year's jackpot totaled nearly $1,300). At the end of the derby the person with the heaviest halibut will win 50% of the jackpot. The remaining 50% will go to the winner of the fish-off.
Additionally, the angler with the heaviest halibut at the end of each month will receive a $100 landing gift card and an Okuma rod and reel.
Unless someone gets very lucky, that angler this month will be Knudtson. But you never know, and that's one of the great things about fishing.
-- Pete Thomas
Halibut images courtesy of Monique Gannon / Dana Wharf Sportfishing
Wow that fish looks like a football? What kind of fish is that? You said Halbit so I assume thats the fish? I don't salt water fish that much but those monsters make me want to try. Also is the fish flat like a pancake?
Posted by: Discount Fishing Gear | Feb 14, 2011 at 08:02 AM