Homer Winter King Derby March 22, 2014- Organization Thread

I have nothing to offer in terms of where to go. This will be my first time from Homer.

Did the organizers include a no-motor class for prizes--or are each of us on our own from that regard?

I haven't heard but I really didn't do my part either. I was trying to organize some prizes for them but felt a little ridiculous if I and maybe one or two others were going to be the only entry. I've always said I want to go head to head with the powerboats. I think I am going to keep my powder dry in terms of my connections for prizes for our own tournament. A little greedy but I only have so much pull.

Don't these people know who you are?    You're Kardinal by god 84......that should count for something

Don't these people know who you are?    You're Kardinal by god 84......that should count for something

Lol. Only if the world worked that way. Not many are willing to post their secrets given it's a huge money derby but I have gotten calls and PM's.

So far, here's the thought process. The intel is there are a lot more fish by Seldovia. The negatives are the transit from a beach we can offload from is considerably longer unless the weather is perfect. The fish though are going to be small.

The islands as a general rule hold less fish but a few top ten fish always come out of the islands.

If we were looking for the one big fish, the bluffs are where to go.

So I'm leaning towards the islands right now for a few reasons. The offload beaches are close and there are several of them. Not to be sexists, but beach availability would make the women's life a lot easier.  But the main reason is I have an offer to fish the islands area the day or two before the derby with a guy that's fished the area for the past forty years. He's well know in the area and lets just say he's already fished 11days in February. Former charter captain. Now retired. I don't think I can pass up on the water intel like that. Of course we troll all day off a powerboat with a veteran and get blanked...that's another story. He assures me we won't.

Some gear considerations. He says no matter where we fish, this time of year you MUST be almost directly on the bottom.  At minimum, the gear had to be below 50ft. That makes me cringe. Even with a downrigger, it's going to be a PITA. For those planning to use planers, get the absolute deepest diving and heavy ones you can find. Braided line will almost be a necessity. It's going to be work no matter how you look at it.

I plan on taking some big banana or even canon ball type sinkers to mooch/drift when I get tired. Hopefully the pollock won't be too thick.  Big meaning 10oz to 24oz type stuff. I may take a few speed jigs. There will be plenty if boats to act like a fish finder, so if I get tired and fish are being caught around us, I may mooch or jig to take a break.

More intel as I gather it!!! If you've got intel, speak up!!!!!!!

Thank you for the intel Kardinal! I plan on just following you around, keep asking you "whatcha usin'?" and "where ya goin'?" and turning my gopro onto you while you haul in a winner. And then I'll sell you the video for a slice of your winnings. :-)

I don't have a downrigger. But who knows...maybe this is a good time to buy one. Tell the wife--"with this, I can win a five-figure prize! (maybe)."

So is it the case that the water is likely to be so choppy that putting in directly off the taxi is not feasible--or that the taxi you are looking at won't do that? I ask b/c we went out of Seward with a taxi and just dropped the kayaks in with a load of camping gear and took off. However, the beach access will be much appreciated by the female going with me (she won't even consider that consideration sexist...more, she'll appreciate the gender-sensitivity that you show that her husband sometimes lacks!).


How many of us are there now?

Lol. So far 4 yeses two maybes and one potential filler. The islands are good because I think any more than two it should be $75 to $85 per person.

So I just got the word that the Winter King Derby added a kayak division!!  Of course we will be in the running for the other prizes as well!!  I'm verifying now that the water taxi under AOTY rules is acceptable..  see post below:
==========
CHECK OUT THE NEW TV AD OUR GREAT SPONSOR GCI HAS PRODUCED AND WILL AIR ON KTVA 11 AND THEIR 59 CABLE NETWORKS. THEY ARE REALLY TRYING TO HELP US PROMOTE OUR "BIG THREE" EVENTS THIS YEAR.

With less than a month left till Tournament Day, we're pretty excited here at the Homer Chamber of Commerce. We think this is going to be one of the best WKT (as Mohammed Ali used to say) "OF ALL TIME!" Seriously. The fishing has been consistent and solid in the last month, and we all know what the weather's been doing...

New this year: Kayak category (here's to you Rudy and your cohorts Rudy!), live video feed of the weigh-in, Nomar Champion's Vest ceremony (like the "Green Jacket" in the US Open). We're only announcing the top 20 fish, so the awards ceremony can be sped up and done so you can go eat at a local restaurant.

Excellent! Good job, Rudy.

  All of your lobbying paid off Rudy---awesome........

  Now go out and get the big kahuna and the big money too.

  Best of luck to all who play.

Thank you for the intel Kardinal! I plan on just following you around, keep asking you "whatcha usin'?" and "where ya goin'?" and turning my gopro onto you while you haul in a winner. And then I'll sell you the video for a slice of your winnings. :-)

I don't have a downrigger. But who knows...maybe this is a good time to buy one. Tell the wife--"with this, I can win a five-figure prize! (maybe)."

So is it the case that the water is likely to be so choppy that putting in directly off the taxi is not feasible--or that the taxi you are looking at won't do that? I ask b/c we went out of Seward with a taxi and just dropped the kayaks in with a load of camping gear and took off. However, the beach access will be much appreciated by the female going with me (she won't even consider that consideration sexist...more, she'll appreciate the gender-sensitivity that you show that her husband sometimes lacks!).


How many of us are there now?

Your right, I don't consider that sexist at all. I WOULD greatly appreciate beach access. What if I have to go to the bathroom at some point during the day?

I'm excited to hit the water and fish in my new Hobie. I'm sure it'll be an awesome day on the water!

Reposted froma different thread.  Need to pay more attention!

I know its usually not good form to link to other fishing forums and such but this is event specific so I hope the moderators don't mind.

We have a few supporters out there and so I want to post the link.  It shouldn't have to be a reason, but because so many eyes will be watching, I want to emphasize that we have out act together, be courteous (we are invading the home turf of the powerboaters), and most importantly be safe and watch each other's backs. 

It's not going to be easy.  Last year 732 anglers, on 206 boats, boated only 162 fish.  99% were powerboats.  SO we have our work cut out for us.  I'll post a few gear tips later, but its sort of the minus 11 diopter guy without his glasses leading the blind.  I have yet to land a saltwater king between January and April.  It's a completely different ballgame than in the spring (May-June) and Fall (Sept through November).  So if you know veterans of this fishery, do what you can to grab some intel.  The intel must be March specific. 

Here's the link to the forum site where the official thread for the tournament is.  Let' do this and catch a few fish! 


http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/showthread.php/137799-Homer-Winter-King-Salmon-Tournament

   That is so cool ..
   And all the support from the power boaters --offering a ride in ""when "" you get the winning fish.
   Go get 'em yakkers.

INTEL? Shoot Rudy your gonna have to show me how to use a fishing pole….. I might have forgot. I did bust the adventure out of the snow. Gonna have to remember How I had it rigged up.

Rules require a radio on each boat. Do you assume that will be required of each if us? And if so...anywhere in ANC you'd recommend to rent them?

Dumb question above...I was thinking if Sat Phones. I'd rather buy a handheld VHF.

The rules must have changed. Last year it was cell phone or radio. But you want a VHF anyways. The announce "door prizes" like every 15 minutes. I better dig my VHF out. Thanks for the reminder!!!