Hooked on Westport! Westport's Fishing Derby
What's this Westport Fishing Derby all about, and what do I need to know? For more than fifty years, countless fishermen and women have passed through the Westport fishing derby booth. So why are there still so many folks who miss out on the opportunity to win big? Here's what you need to know to cash in when the big one bites!
Derby Lings
As the 2021 sportfishing season gets underway, Westport charterboats and their crews kick into gear to provide a fun, safe fishing experience for people of all ages and skill levels. But did you know that in addition to your fresh-caught dinner, your catch could be a prize winner? Every year, the Westport Charterboat Association Fishing Derby awards more than $60,000 in prizes, most notably a $10,000 Grand Prize for the largest Chinook salmon of the season! There are annual prizes for the largest lingcod, Chinook and Coho salmon, halibut, and tuna of the season ranging from $1000-1500 and daily and weekly prizes up to $400. You definitely don’t want to miss out on this, but surprisingly some people do.
Salmon Contender!
One memorable story was shared with me by our Westport Weighmaster, Danny. Last year, a gentleman came out to fish on a company-sponsored charter fishing trip – all expenses paid, except the $5 derby ticket. Considering it was his first time on a trip like this, the gentleman opted not to buy a derby ticket, not expecting to catch much of anything except a buzz. When his rod doubled over with a big fish, it was game on! After an exhausting fight, a true monster of the deep came over the rail – a possible season leader lingcod worth $1500! To this day, you can bet his coworkers won't let him forget what happens when you forget your derby ticket.
On the other hand, you have regular clients that always remember their derby ticket, and it ends up paying off, sometimes more than once! For possibly the first time ever, there was a back-to-back weekly lingcod winner last year. I had the fortune of bringing one of the winners over the rail, and it was hooked by the hair of its lip. A fishing story not likely to be forgotten anytime soon!
Anyone going fishing on a vessel that is a member of the Westport Charterboat Association can participate in the derby. When you check-in or arrive at your charterboat in the morning, be sure to purchase a derby ticket. Once you've caught the fish – it's too late! Each charter office offers these tickets at check-in, and most of the independent charters will offer them on board the morning of your trip. Tickets are $5 ($10 for halibut).
The lingcod derby is awarded biweekly with prizes for the biggest fish caught over the weekend (awarded on Sunday) and another prize for the largest caught during the weekdays (awarded on Friday). Salmon is a daily derby awarded to the largest fish of the day, either Chinook or Coho. Halibut is another daily derby on our specified days to target these delicious flatfish, and while the tickets cost a bit more, they are good for entry into the bi-weekly lingcod derby as well. Lastly, tuna is a weekly derby extending from Monday through Sunday. Each daily or weekly prize catch could fetch a prize of up to $400! If your big fish fetches the best weight of the season, you could fetch the species' grand prize ranging from $1000-1500!
The derby is sponsored by many local businesses, including hotels, restaurants, banks, seafood purveyors, and shops. For a list of Westport Charter Association vessels, derby sponsors, and more about the derby, please visit CharterWestport.com.
For those not interested in fishing but want to take part in the excitement of watching the fishermen and women return to dock with their fresh catch, come down to the Derby Weigh Station between Floats 6 and 8 around 2 pm until 5 pm. Our fantastic Weighmaster announces the fleet's arrival as the vessels return to harbor, and you can watch the big fish get weighed on the o-fish-al scale to determine if they are a contender for the derby prize.
Can't make it to Westport but want to follow the fun? Follow the Westport Weighmaster on Facebook for regular weigh-in updates.
About the Author:
Meet Marina May, one of Westport's most beloved deckhands, and a veterinarian technician turn fish slayer! She's a baitgirl, master filleter, fishing line management expert, and purveyor of good times!