2009 fishing derbies

When the fishing itch needs scratching, anglers have plenty of choices in Southcentral.

And not only can they land a big fish, they can pad their wallets too. From Homer to Valdez and from the Valley to Seward, anglers in Southcentral can put fish in their coolers and cash in their pockets thanks to the numerous fishing derbies.

Here is a rundown of many local fishing derbies, starting with the season's earliest:

Homer Jackpot Halibut

Homer's popular halibut derby began on Friday. Last year, Jeff Pardi of San Rafael, Calif., hooked the biggest fish, a 348.2-pounder that earned him $45,475. There are prizes for monthly winners and thousands of dollars for tagged fish -- including six $10,000 tagged fish.

Where: Must leave from and return to Homer harbor

When: May 1 to Sept. 30

Record: 376-pounder caught in 1996

Cost: $10 daily

Phone: 1-907-235-7740

Web: www.homerhalibutderby.com

Kodiak King Salmon Tournament

Biggest fish worth $10,000. Includes three $1,000 prizes, six $500 prizes and a dozen $100 prizes. Billy Boyce topped the field with a 65-pounder last year.

Where: Leave and return to Kodiak harbor

When: May 15 to July 5

Cost: $50

Phone: 1-907-487-2421

Web: www.kodiakfishingderby.org

Armed Services Combat Fishing Tournament

Founded three years ago, the tournament was established to thank our military men and women who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is already one of the largest military appreciation fishing tournaments in the country.

Where: Seward

When: May 21

Cost: Free for anglers; donations sought

Phone: MariJo Imig of Armed Services YMCA of Alaska, 1-907-552-9622

Web: www.combatfishing.org

Valdez Halibut

Weekly prizes and three grand awards, with last year's winner, Jan VanderVaart of Anchorage, netting $15,000 cash for a 252-pounder.

Where: Waters around Valdez

When: May 23 to Sept. 6

Cost: $10 daily, $50 season

Phone: 1-907-835-5680

Web: www.valdezfishderbies. com

Whittier Halibut

Monthly awards are given to first-, second- and third-place halibut that come closest to the target weight. A jackpot for the biggest fish will be awarded at the end of the season.

Where: Whittier

When: May 27 to Aug. 16

Cost: $5 daily, $25 weekly, $100 for season

Phone: 1-907-677-WHIT

Web: www.whittieralaskachamber.org

Seward Jackpot Halibut

Tim Berg earned $10,000 for his winning 320-pound fish last year. Top three fish earn prizes.

Where: Leave from and return to Seward

When: June 1-30

Cost: $10 daily, $25 for three days

Phone: 1-907-224-8051

Web: www.seward.com

Ship Creek Slam'n Salm'n King Derby

Top prize to angler in pro division is $10,000 Zodiak with a 20 horsepower outboard and a trail worth $10,000. Proceeds go to the Downtown Soup Kitchen, which assists the community's working poor and homeless. Fishing allowed from the mouth of Ship Creek upstream to a point 100 feet downstream of the Chugach power plant dam.

Where: Ship Creek, downtown Anchorage

When: June 12-21

Cost: $40 pro division; $10 daily; $5 for youths

Phone: 344-7780

Web: www.shipcreeksalmon derby.com

Valdez Kids' Pink

One-day event for children with first, second and third-place prizes to be announced. Free derby T-shirt to the first 125 kids who weigh in a fish.

Where: Valdez

When: July 18

Cost: TBA

Phone: 1-907-835-5680

Web: www.valdezfishderbies. com.

Valdez Silver Salmon

Last summer, Derek Werder's 22-pounder was Southcentral's biggest silver of the year, earning him $15,000. Three grand prizes. Also, the increasingly popular Women's Silver Salmon Derby is Aug. 8, with grand prizes to the top three.

Where: Waters around Valdez

When: July 25 to Sept. 6

Cost: $10 daily, $50 season

Phone: 1-907-835-5680

Web: www.valdezfishderbies. com

Fish For A Cure Silver Salmon

Raises money for breast cancer awareness.

Where: Mat-Su rivers

When: Aug. 1-16; barbecue on Aug. 8

Cost: $10 tickets

Phone: 1-907-376-1299

Web: www.silversforacure.com or www.wasilla chamber.org

Mat-Su King Salmon Derby

A reworked derby placing less emphasis on big fish and sponsored by the Public Safety Employees Association.

Where: Mat-Su streams

When: May 30-July 6

Phone: 1-907-244-8165

Seward Silver Salmon

This is the 54th derby, and thousands of fish and dollars are up for grabs. Silver salmon return to Resurrection Bay every August, and the derby is a chance to catch some fish and prizes. Renee Wellington of Palmer earned $10,000 for the biggest silver, a 18.6-pounder, last year. There are dozens of cash and merchandise prizes totaling more than $100,000, including a $50,000 tagged fish.

Where: Resurrection Bay

When: Aug. 8-16

Cost: $10 daily, $50 for derby

Phone: 224-8051

Web: www.seward.com

Whittier Silver Salmon

A jackpot for the heaviest fish will be awarded at the end of the derby. There is a "small fry" derby for kids on Sept. 13; entry fee is $5.

Where: Whittier

When: Aug. 29 to Sept. 14

Cost: $5 daily, $25 weekly

Phone: 1-907-677-WHIT