Compete in Dana Wharf’s Annual Halibut Derby
Enter our annual California halibut contest! We target halibut all day by drifting or anchoring. Those who catch the largest five halibut (by weight) win the prize money!
Overall Halibut Derby Winner
& February Leader:
Bryan Gunther 11lbs. 8oz
1/5/2026 on the Clemente
Current January Leader
Bruce North 26lbs 3 oz
2/20/2026 on the Clemente
March Leader
Matt Hernandez 11 lbs.
3/6/2026 on the Clemente
Halibut Derby Winner for 2025:
Jerry Vyhnis 19.4 lbs
Annual Contest for Cash and Prizes!
Past Halibut Derby Winners:
| 2026 | Bruce North – 26.3 lbs |
| 2025 | Jerry Vyhnis – 19.4 lbs |
| 2024 | Brandon Casas – 19.8 lbs |
| 2023 | Cancelled |
| 2022 | Jonathan Sterling – 27 lbs 10oz |
| 2021 | Frank Sahanas – 24 lbs 10oz |
| 2020 | Cher Owens – 22 lbs |
| 2019 | Brian Dancer – 26.1 lbs |
| 2018 | David Sluder – 36.9 lbs |
| 2017 | David Mendez – 32 lbs |
| 2016 | Jerry Boston – 23.5 lbs |
| 2015 | Norm Bell – 21.14 lbs |
| 2014 | Stephen Green – 40.11 lbs |
| 2013 | Mark Piercy – 37.5 lbs |
| 2012 | Peggy Stein – 43.10 lbs ***still largest fish ever in the derby |
| 2011 | Mike Knudtson – 43.08 lbs |
| 2010 | Paul Pappas – 31.14 lbs |
| 2009 | Jerry Vyhnis – 32.2 lbs |
