On June 26, Youngblood hooked into a 354.6-pound halibut while fishing aboard the Sweet T with Capt. Ron Hurley of In-2-Fishin Charters. Saturday, after a 97-day wait, Youngblood was awarded the first-place check at the Homer Chamber of Commerce's Jackpot Halibut Derby awards celebration. Hurly also went home with a prize: $4,044.

Photographer: McKibben Jackinsky, Homer News Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby winner Tom Youngblood of Homer and Capt. Ron Hurley of In-2-Fishin Charters in Homer admire the tail of the halibut Youngblood caught while fishing with Hurley aboard the Sweet T on June 26.

Youngblood is the fourth Homer fisherman to take home the derby's top prize. The first one was Tony DeMichelle, who won $13,700 for a 312-pound halibut in 1986; Jim Clymer pocketed $31,730 for his 346.9-pound halibut in 1995; and Tom Barkman took home $33,514 for landing a 322-pound whopper in 2001.

Youngblood's is the fifth largest halibut caught since the derby began in 1986. Jerry Meinders of Willmar, Minn., maintains the honor of catching the heaviest halibut in the derby's history, a 376-pound barn door in 1996.

Saturday's awards event was catered by J&B's Smok'n BBQ, with desserts provided by the Homer Bed and Breakfast Association. The celebration took place at the Best Western Bidarka Inn, with Tim White and Derby Coordinator Paula Frisinger serving as emcees.