FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER
2019 Bonus Halibut Tags
Along with salmon and lingcod, Pacific halibut, aka Hippoglossus stenolepis, ranks among the top sport fish here in Southeast Alaska. And we're pleased to announce that we're offering our popular Bonus Halibut Tag program again this coming season, which allows you to keep one additional halibut per tag—of any size. So how does the program work? Waterfall Resort buys commercial halibut quota through the State of Alaska. A Bonus Halibut Tag adds these extra benefits:
- Keep one additional halibut per tag (State of Alaska charter limit is one halibut per day).
- Bonus halibut may be of any size (State of Alaska charter limit restricts halibut size)
- Each guest may purchase and use up to one Bonus Halibut Tag for each day of their trip.
- Bonus Halibut Tags may be shared with any other guest on the same boat.
- Bonus Halibut Tags not used one day roll over to the next day and remain valid for 2019 season until used.
As many of you know, tags sell out fast, so you may wish to add yours to your booking now. We'll also be running a waiting list to fill orders on a first-come, first-served basis as inventory allows. And by the way, the Waterfall halibut record to beat is 366.8 pounds.
The largest of the flatfish, Pacific halibut are bottom-dwellers that thrive at depths to 3,600 feet and can grow to more than a quarter ton and lengths nearing the height of an elephant. Last season, Brian Kennedy of Long Beach, California, took the top spot on the halibut leaderboard with a 222.8-pounder. Factoring in the culinary yield post fish processing, that's about 100 pounds worth of tasty fillets for the freezer.
Also good news for the coming season, the resident and nonresident limits for halibut fishing are holding steady at one fish a day per person, with no annual limits. Same as last year, that fish, as regulated by the International Pacific Halibut Commission, can be 38 inches or less or 80 inches or more in length (halibut in the slot between 38 and 80 inches must be released).