340.6 lbs halibut

Jer · 07-04-2007, 03:46 PM

North Slope oil worker lands 340-pound halibut
After hourlong fight, man leads in derby

The Associated Press

Name: halibut.jpg
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Name: halibut.jpg
Views: 576
Size: 47.9 KB

Linda Winters / Homer Chamber of Commerce Via the Associated Press

Catch of the day: Captain Mike Manns, left, congratulates Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby participant Dan Prisaznuk of Homer on the 340.6-pound halibut he caught Monday on Manns' charter. Prisanuk, a North Slope oil worker, fought the halibut for more than an hour.

ANCHORAGE - A North Slope oil worker is in the lead to win the Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby after hauling in a monster fish weighing more than 340 pounds.

Actually, the halibut that Dan Prisaznuk of Homer pulled in Monday weighed 340.6 pounds.

The fish dashed the hopes of a few others who had hauled in some pretty big fish, including Jesse Swayne of Lakewood, Colo., who was leading the derby with a 232-pounder caught on June 11.

The Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby is the state's richest derby. The winner is expected to collect between $40,000 and $45,000. The derby ends Sept. 30.

"This is a once in a lifetime event," Prisaznuk said of catching the big one. "When we got him back to the weigh station, people were stopping, getting out of their motor homes, coming to take pictures. I was causing a traffic jam on the (Homer) Spit."

Now, when Swayne drives by derby headquarters where the leaders are posted, he doesn't quite believe his eyes.

"It's something to see your name up there," he said.

Born and reared in Buffalo, N.Y., Prisaznuk was lured to Alaska in large part by the fishing, but he never thought he'd hook into something like this - not even when it happened.

"I knew it was big," said Prisaznuk, whose largest fish before Monday was a 116-pounder. "But I didn't know it was that big. I knew it was over 100 pounds, but I didn't think it was over 200.

"It was a concrete block. I'd do five cranks (on the reel), and she'd spin off two or three. She wanted to go back down."

For more than an hour, Prisaznuk fought the big hen halibut before getting a look at her. About 15 feet behind the boat in the clear waters of Cook Inlet, he saw what looked like a mottled gray dining-room table for six.

"I'd never seen anything like that," he said.

The fish would eventually measure an inch over 8 feet in length.

"When we had him at the boat," Prisaznuk said, "everyone was whoopin' and hollerin,' and, I said, 'Hey wait, let's get him in the boat first.' "

Though Prisaznuk's fish is big enough to have won 14 of the 21 Homer derbies to date, it wouldn't have won last year's when a 341.8-pounder caught by Anchorage's Duane Olson unseated a summer-long leader.

Nor would Prisaznuk's fish have won in 2004 or 2003 or 2002. The new millennium has seen a bounty of halibut over 300 pounds being dragged up the docks in Homer.

Flatdog · 07-04-2007, 03:58 PM

Now thats a flatie

flatbottom · 07-04-2007, 04:16 PM

wow what a fish ! Thanks Jer !

That is bigger than the fishing area behind my console. (just over 8' 1" )

LuckyLady · 07-04-2007, 04:25 PM

Wow! That is big!

Proheat · 07-04-2007, 04:27 PM

WOW......Thats one heck of a flounder fillet!!!

Capt. Brian Daley · 07-04-2007, 05:24 PM

Now thats one hell of a doormatt

Admin · 07-05-2007, 12:03 PM

I have always wanted to go north and give this ago.
Never could imagine pulling a flat one up this big but would love to have the chance one day.

Capt JOhn

puttputt · 10-18-2007, 06:23 AM

wow. that must have been one hellava mud minnow. great job on the catch.

bigeasy · 10-28-2007, 09:54 AM

Excellent report. Only a very few people will ever make a catch like that.

Chris Lutz · 11-14-2007, 02:29 PM

Hey good luck with the 45 k. Dont buy a boat

07-04-2007, 03:46 PM	#1
Jer Sportfishermen.com Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Fortaleza, CE, Brazil Posts: 3,824 Credits: 4,723.7 Best Catch: Catfish. I don't know the weight and lenght. Occupation: Internet	340.6 lbs halibut North Slope oil worker lands 340-pound halibut After hourlong fight, man leads in derby The Associated Press Linda Winters / Homer Chamber of Commerce Via the Associated Press Catch of the day: Captain Mike Manns, left, congratulates Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby participant Dan Prisaznuk of Homer on the 340.6-pound halibut he caught Monday on Manns' charter. Prisanuk, a North Slope oil worker, fought the halibut for more than an hour. ANCHORAGE - A North Slope oil worker is in the lead to win the Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby after hauling in a monster fish weighing more than 340 pounds. Actually, the halibut that Dan Prisaznuk of Homer pulled in Monday weighed 340.6 pounds. The fish dashed the hopes of a few others who had hauled in some pretty big fish, including Jesse Swayne of Lakewood, Colo., who was leading the derby with a 232-pounder caught on June 11. The Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby is the state's richest derby. The winner is expected to collect between $40,000 and $45,000. The derby ends Sept. 30. "This is a once in a lifetime event," Prisaznuk said of catching the big one. "When we got him back to the weigh station, people were stopping, getting out of their motor homes, coming to take pictures. I was causing a traffic jam on the (Homer) Spit." Now, when Swayne drives by derby headquarters where the leaders are posted, he doesn't quite believe his eyes. "It's something to see your name up there," he said. Born and reared in Buffalo, N.Y., Prisaznuk was lured to Alaska in large part by the fishing, but he never thought he'd hook into something like this - not even when it happened. "I knew it was big," said Prisaznuk, whose largest fish before Monday was a 116-pounder. "But I didn't know it was that big. I knew it was over 100 pounds, but I didn't think it was over 200. "It was a concrete block. I'd do five cranks (on the reel), and she'd spin off two or three. She wanted to go back down." For more than an hour, Prisaznuk fought the big hen halibut before getting a look at her. About 15 feet behind the boat in the clear waters of Cook Inlet, he saw what looked like a mottled gray dining-room table for six. "I'd never seen anything like that," he said. The fish would eventually measure an inch over 8 feet in length. "When we had him at the boat," Prisaznuk said, "everyone was whoopin' and hollerin,' and, I said, 'Hey wait, let's get him in the boat first.' " Though Prisaznuk's fish is big enough to have won 14 of the 21 Homer derbies to date, it wouldn't have won last year's when a 341.8-pounder caught by Anchorage's Duane Olson unseated a summer-long leader. Nor would Prisaznuk's fish have won in 2004 or 2003 or 2002. The new millennium has seen a bounty of halibut over 300 pounds being dragged up the docks in Homer. __________________

07-04-2007, 04:25 PM	#4
LuckyLady "Life is what you make it!" Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Manahawkin, NJ Posts: 3,589 Credits: 6,848.1 Boat: CONTENDER 36 CUDDY 23 OPEN 36 FISHAROUND Home Port: EAST COAST Best Catch: There is always something better!	Wow! That is big! __________________ *************** FISHING CENTER YACHT SALES** BROKER OF BROKERS & DEALERS MARY INMAN (609)- 713-5540 New & Used * Contender Boats & Many More fish boats ...Are you looking for that perfect boat? Looking for a good buy? Someone that works hard for your best interest? Let me look for you. Shop & Sell Smart!! 100% Honesty Guaranteed! New email address ContenderMary@gmail.com Team Contender & Contender North East

07-04-2007, 05:24 PM	#6
Capt. Brian Daley fishalcoholic :) Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: pt.pleasant nj Posts: 3,083 Credits: 1,615.0 Boat: 42 Bertram Home Port: Pt. Pleasant NJ Best Catch: Many and more to come Occupation: charter captain	Now thats one hell of a doormatt __________________ Inshore, Offshore & Canyon Guide Service / 42 Bertram / Kayak Capt. or Mate for hire 29 years experience

07-05-2007, 12:03 PM	#7
Admin Capt John Eppehimer Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Sewell, NJ Posts: 13,662 Credits: 70,903.1 Boat: 33' Hydra Sport - Triple 275 Mercury Verado Home Port: Cape May, NJ Best Catch: Whats Fishing Occupation: Internet Blog Entries: 1	I have always wanted to go north and give this ago. Never could imagine pulling a flat one up this big but would love to have the chance one day. Capt JOhn __________________ "If I had learned education, I would not have had time to learn anything else." "You have undertaken to cheat me. I won't sue you, for the law is too slow. I will ruin you."

10-28-2007, 09:54 AM	#9
bigeasy Crab mustard is good Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hatteras Village, North Carolina Posts: 616 Credits: 4,797.1 Boat: Big Easy Home Port: Hatteras, NC Occupation: Charter boat operator	Excellent report. Only a very few people will ever make a catch like that. __________________ _________________ Captain Cliff Parker www.bigeasycharters.com Hatteras, NC year round

07-04-2007, 03:58 PM	#2
Flatdog Sit down Shut up And fish Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: London England Posts: 588 Credits: 1,512.6 Boat: Fallen in love with Strike 37 walk around though the 44 would be the best option Home Port: weymouth Best Catch: 210kg cat fish rio de morte brazil Amazon delta Occupation: At the moment sales	Now thats a flatie

07-04-2007, 04:16 PM	#3
flatbottom Fish the Edge Team Sportfishermen.com Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bear, DE Posts: 7,823 Credits: 13,030.3 Boat: 232 center console Home Port: Indian River, De Best Catch: off the shot gun Occupation: jackleg	wow what a fish ! Thanks Jer ! That is bigger than the fishing area behind my console. (just over 8' 1" )

10-18-2007, 06:23 AM	#8
puttputt I practice safe fishing Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 67 Credits: 1,187.2	wow. that must have been one hellava mud minnow. great job on the catch.

11-14-2007, 02:29 PM	#10
Chris Lutz #1 Lurker Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 4 Credits: 1,153.0	You be the man Hey good luck with the 45 k. Dont buy a boat

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