Homer Winter King Derby Roll call - March 19, 2016

In the past I really haven't messed with WG until mid April until then im all about Homer and Seward more so Homer

Hmm..Spit it is!  [emoji106]

The Spit has been good fishing ...I probably could have left with a king yesterday saw a few but broke off downrigger ball in the first 10 minutes have no idea how just basically fell off  so halibut it was and some fast paced sole action

I guess a spare down rigger ball will be added to the list of stuff to have.

I guess a spare down rigger ball will be added to the list of stuff to have.

That's why u bring 3....just in case.

You want to fish Homer. 
1) What GravesJacob said.
2) That's big water
3) It's one fish limit North of line sliughtly south of anchor point (ok, I am an optimist)
4) With a northern component, WG is exposed more.  Homer weather looks good.
5) Fewer boats fihsing that area...meaniong you will be alone.  Not so positive this time of year.  I like lots of boats around me.  Tells me I am in a decent spot, and the other boats are by far the best fish finders.

I start fishing Whiskey Gulch mid April with action picking up in mid may. 

Spot forecast for Homer appears to be much better....

Thanks for the update Rudy, glad I came down tonight. Sitting planning my attack at WG right now.

LOL.  We are going to be a force in the derby!  So far 10% of the registered "boats" are kayaks according to this article!!!  Actually it's 10 percent of entrants I think so its even more for vessels.  lol
http://homernews.com/homer-news/local-news/2016-03-10/it-pays-to-register-early-for-march-19-winter-king-tourney

Obviously that won't hold up but I think its great to register early and show support.  Can only mean bigger and better prizes in the future.

All it takes is that ONE fish to make history here folks.  I'm impressed we have ten entries so far.  This is a super tough derby for everyone including the powerboats. 

Well, I finally looked up the entry fee. . . $100, pretty steep.  Is there any redeeming quality of the derby, or is it just gambling on fish?  Do any of the proceeds go to charity/community/sad puppies?  If it's just gambling on fish, and all the proceeds go to pay-outs I'll probably let this one go.  I've spent enough money on the zero kings I've caught in my life, I'm not sure I'm ready bet $100 that the trend won't continue.   

Well, I finally looked up the entry fee. . . $100, pretty steep.  Is there any redeeming quality of the derby, or is it just gambling on fish?  Do any of the proceeds go to charity/community/sad puppies?  If it's just gambling on fish, and all the proceeds go to pay-outs I'll probably let this one go.  I've spent enough money on the zero kings I've caught in my life, I'm not sure I'm ready bet $100 that the trend won't continue.   

Totally understand the feeling.  Especially when there is a decent chance you aren't even going to catch a fish...that's not directed at you...it's fifty fifty for even the powerboat participants.  I know great charter boats that get skunked routinely.

There is already a $50 skunk bet you can place....lol.

It is gambling on fish...pretty much period.  Keep in mind the top fish last year won $27,700 and 277 times cost payout isn't bad. 

OR....

You can think of it as super expensive food and A beer.    They provide that. 

There is a kayak division.  I won it last year and got a life jacket, waterproof box, drybag, lures that totaled my 100 bucks entry fee...maybe.  They also have a raffle every 15 minutes for good prizes.

If for some crazy reason, I bet its another couple grand for articles you could write....sponsorship you might be able to get...etc...and you can't win it unless you are in it.

Fortune and glory, baby....fortune and glory....

Plus, troll king is nearly $30/pound at Sagaya. Average king Rudy lands out of Homer is what, 15-16 lbs? Maybe 8 lbs in fillets? That's a $240 fish!

I'm so grateful for an understanding wife that nurtures my passion for fishing and developing obsession for doing it from a kayak.

Plus, she loves king salmon...the more I bring home, the happier she is. 

Plus, troll king is nearly $30/pound at Sagaya. Average king Rudy lands out of Homer is what, 15-16 lbs? Maybe 8 lbs in fillets? That's a $240 fish!

I'm so grateful for an understanding wife that nurtures my passion for fishing and developing obsession for doing it from a kayak.

Plus, she loves king salmon...the more I bring home, the happier she is.

Probably a tad smaller.  More like 12 pounds.  But its a two fish limit right now and the most important part...it doesn't count toward your annual five fish limit until April 1.  Super incentive to sock up from Oct 1 through march 31!!!!

I tell people a 12 pound halibut is a 100 dollar bill too!

I think Rudy had way too much fun writing up his go do the tournament argument there. Lol

I'll be there. Late getting set up. Won't get down til late friday. This is the first trip out this year...hope the guy who put away all my gear last year did a good job.. 

I'm not normally a superstitious person, but I'm convinced that if I fish and don't enter the derby, I'll catch a king. If I do enter the derby, my king-less streak will continue. Damned if I do, damned if I don't

I'll be there. Late getting set up. Won't get down til late friday. This is the first trip out this year...hope the guy who put away all my gear last year did a good job..

Yup, this weekend was good.  I need to tighten my battery connections.  I noticed the rod I was going to use has a missing eye insert...guaranteed to fray the line but only on a winning fish.    Fortunately, its pretty basic the set up if you don't use a down rigger.

I'm not normally a superstitious person, but I'm convinced that if I fish and don't enter the derby, I'll catch a king. If I do enter the derby, my king-less streak will continue. Damned if I do, damned if I don't

Double yup...I am guaranteed to catch a good fish if I forget my net and/or go pro....