Angling and betting share certain similarities. Both require the participant to remain unbendingly optimistic despite mounting odds. And both deliver a euphoric feeling when successful. Sometimes, you even hit the jackpot.

The Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby began in 1986 as a means to enhance tourism in Homer and promote local businesses. Today, the event produces the largest jackpot of any derby and is a major source of revenue for the Chamber of Commerce and the surrounding businesses.

The derby is an annual event, running from May 1 to September 30 each year. Tickets are $10 per day and multi-day packages are available, including a $75/10-day pass. The 2010 derby provided over $190,000 in prizes, with the winning (largest) fish providing a $40,610 jackpot ($2.50 of each ticket). That’s some return on a $10 per day entry fee.

It takes a large fish to win the derby. In 21 of the 25 years that the derby has been held, it has taken a 300-pound-plus fish to mark the first place position. The largest ever was the 376-pound fish caught in 1996. Fish entered into the derby must be weighed in at headquarters on the Homer Spit by 9 p.m. on the day caught. The derby website says that headquarters are open from 5:30 to 8 a.m. and then from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. from May 17 to Labor Day. If you have a fish that needs to be weighed when headquarters is closed, call 907-399-2436.

There are many other prizes distributed to anglers including: a $10,000 released-fish prize, monthly prizes to the four largest fish, 100 tagged fish worth $500, $1,000 or $10,000 each, a monthly lady angler prize, five kids’ prizes from a drawing at the end of the season, and many more. Each year between 13,000 and 18,000 tickets are sold, making the odds pretty strong in an angler’s favor to win a prize. Tickets must be purchased prior to fishing; go to www.homerhalibutderby.com/tickets.htm for a list of ticket providers. For a list of the derby rules, go to www.homerhalibutderby.com/rules.htm.

Another opportunity to fish for money in Homer is the Winter King Salmon Tournament. This one-day event has been held for the last 17 years, with current participation at a near all-time high. On March 20 of this year, 865 anglers on 259 boats took part in the tournament. A top fish of 38.5 pounds won $18,165. Total prize payout to the top 10 finishers was $64,875. Boat-side bet winners took home $50,306, so the 2010 event totaled over $115,000 in cash and $10,000 in prizes. Entry in the 2010 tournament was $100 plus side bets. Go to www.homeralaska.org/winterkingsalmonderby/index.htm to view the particulars of the event.

Whether you are fishing for fun, food or family members back home, be sure to get a derby ticket in advance. Who knows when that next bite might be the fish of a lifetime and the cries of jackpot will be heard all the way back in Homer.

—Marcus Weiner
Publisher