Anchorage Daily News

An Alaskan who'd never been halibut fishing before is the new leader of the Valdez Halibut Derby.

Ben Ponting of Tonsina landed a 147.5-pound flatfish Sunday night to raise the for other derby anglers. His fish topped the previous leader, a 128-pounder caught by Danny Allen of Sutton, by almost 20 pounds. Allen and the third-place angler -- Sage Bainter of Big Timber, Mont., who caught a 114.7-pounder -- both made their catches in May.

Ponting's big catch came on a day that brought clear skies, calm seas and more than 60 service men and women who took part in Military Appreciation Day.

"I've never been halibut fishing in my life until today," Pointing told derby organizers. "I'm just kind of surprised and happy."

And a bit nauseous. Ponting's wife offers the rest of the story of what happened aboard the Faithful: "Immediately when he got it onboard, he started vomiting over the side of the boat," she said.

The derby lasts all summer, so if Ponting -- who lives 50 miles north of Valdez -- keeps the lead until Aug. 31, he'll claim a $15,000 jackpot. Last year's winner, Jim Adams of North Pole, caught a 340-pound halibut.

Halibut fishing has been slow around Valdez, but charter captains are optimistic there will be more fish now that the water temperature has warmed up. "With the warm water and better weather, I think the fish are finally starting to move in," said charter captain Dan Ames of the Faithful.

According to Brian Marston of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, good halibut fishing can be found in the waters around Hinchinbrook Entrance, Montague Strait, and outside Montague Island. Derby organizers said that anglers fishing in smaller boats have found success in the northeast part of the sound, including Jack Bay, Galena Point, Port Fidalgo, Knowles Head and Bligh reef.

Derby tickets cost $10 a day.

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