1. Dutch Harbor/Unalaska, because
they have the largest, most, and easiest halibut available to sports
anglers. Last season Mike Golat, of Unalaska boated a 395-pounder,
the new IGFA all-tackle record. Another whopper weighing 439-pounds
did not qualify under IGFA rules, but came within a pound of tying
the Alaska state record. – Contact: The Grand Aleutian Hotel,
1-800-891-1194 or Convention & Visitors Bureau at, P.O. Box,
545, Unalaska, AK 99685, {907} 581-2612
2. Kodiak for their large halibut
and shear numbers – Visitor Information Center, 100 Marine Way.
Kodiak, AK 99615, {907} 486-4070
3. West side of the Queen Charlottes
has an increasing number of jumbo barn doors migrating off the
largely untapped Queen Charlotte Islands. Each year anglers take
200-plus pounders, Oak Bay Marine Group, {800} 663-7090
4. Craig Alaska, because they
averaged a phenomenal success rate of .6 halibut per hour’s effort
– Prince of Wales Chamber of Commerce, {907} 826-3870
5. Homer Alaska, because it’s
almost a sure bet to catch a two fish limit – Homer Chamber of
Commerce, P.O. Box 541, Homer, AK 99827, {907} 235-5300.
6. Neah Bay Washington, when the
season opens, the US side of Swiftsure Bank, in 200 to 600-feet of
water, produces limits of big butts – call TommyCod
Charters at, 1800-283-8900 Big Salmon Resort in Neah Bay at,
1-800- 959-2374 or {360} 645-2374
Honorable mention goes to Homer for their season long $10,000
halibut derby. Catch the biggest fish or a specially tagged butt and
you could win, butt good.
