For West Virginia native Joe Volk, the answer is the biggest fish in the 2003 Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby.

The 345.4-pound halibut was caught on Aug. 6 aboard the M/V Donna Mae, owned and operated by Captain Steve Button. Volk will receive $46,200 for his prize, the second-largest first prize in derby history.

Linda Winters of the Homer Chamber of Commerce said a total of 16,836 derby tickets were sold this year, about 600 more than last year. The chamber extended the derby this year to Sept. 30. and sold 787 tickets in that month.

The chamber also added a prize for the captain of the boat of the winning fish. Captain Button will receive a check for more than $4,000 at the derby award party Friday at the Homer Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center.

Volk and Button have been fishing together since 1995.

"When the captain tried to measure the fish while it was still in the water I figured it was a big one," said Volk.

"We were getting razzed when we were coming in. People knew we had a big fish. And they were all saying that the big fish wasn't going to taste that good," Volk said.

"We caught the big one and a couple 45-pounders. And to tell you the truth I can't tell a bit of difference (between the three).

"None of us complained at the table, either. Halibut goes for about $14 a pound down here."

So what is Volk going to do with the money?

"My son and daughter in law are expecting their first baby in March. So some of the money will probably go to that," he said.

Volk said that when he caught the big one Captain Button seemed almost more excited than he did.

"I've gone through all the emotions," said Button. "It's like it really happened to me."

Button said he was turned onto the spot where the fish was caught by another captain. "It's a gift fish from another captain, Clifford Hoff," Button said. "He found a little spot and he invited me to come out and fish it."

The Donna Mae is a 28-foot Glassply. Button said he plans to spend his winnings on his boat.

Volk said he has been coming to Alaska for more than 20 years and tries to come up annually.

"We always buy a derby ticket," Volk said. "It's been a great investment."

"It's not bad for something you love to do anyways."

Volk said he plans to return next summer and spend some of the winnings on his next trip.

"My whole deal with Alaska is that I love it up there," he said.

"This is probably my day in sun."

Linda Winters said the top prize will be mailed to Volk in West Virginia because he won't be able to make the awards party. Volk said he bought a ticket to come up, but business will keep him from making the flight. Other prizes will include the $10,000 released-fish drawing, a drawing for all ticket vendors, and a $2,000 drawing for everyone that bought a ticket. The awards party begins at 6 p.m.

Next year's derby begins May 1.