Weimann wins fishing tournament championship

The Deep Water Dock on the Homer Spit was hopping Saturday afternoon during the 31st annual Winter King Salmon Tournament, with anglers coming off the water for weigh-in and community members enjoying the food trucks, beer garden and live music.

Homer Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Brad Anderson thanked those who turned out for the tournament and the following celebration. The chamber annually organizes the tournament, a feat that involves about 40 volunteers and chamber staff, Anderson said.

“What a phenomenal day to be out on the water, enjoying everything that’s special about Homer,” he said. “Thank you for coming out and enjoying this event with us … and making it special.”

This year’s tournament saw 1,235 anglers competing on 373 boats, which Anderson said was one of the best event participation in recent years. The chamber also awarded an estimated $198,526 in prize money and more than $15,000 worth of merchandise prizes, a March 24 press release announced.

Zach Weimann, fishing on the Profishunt, took this year’s championship with a king salmon weighing in at 30.66 pounds. The last time the winning fish broke the 30-pound mark was in 2015, caught by Mike Olsen and weighing 30.4 pounds. Weimann’s king was also the largest caught in the tournament since 2013, the release said.

Between his first-place earnings and side tourney bets, Weimann won $84,207.50 in total.

Second place went to Dustin Klepacki, from team 289, with a fish weighing 24.74 pounds.

Kim Weimann, also on the Profishunt, took third place with a king weighing 23.88 pounds.

This year’s Top Youth Angler prize went to Madelyn Challans, 12, on the Kachemak Jack with a fish weighing 15.36 pounds.

“We’re really proud to have youth out here,” tournament committee member Anders Gustafson said Saturday. “It’s really important to get that next generation out here and falling in love with this sport of trolling.”

Jack Heinbold, who took seventh place in the tournament with a fish weighing 22.44 pounds, also won a prize for catching a white king.

The Scott Ulmer Award was presented on Saturday to long-time tournament angler Larry Cabana, who Ulmer called “an absolute legend in Homer.”

“This man schooled the commercial fishing fleet for decades and humbled a lot of people in that industry, and as he gravitated over to the sport industry, he’s dominated there even more,” he said.

This year’s John Hillstrand award was presented to Doug Weimann, the captain of team Profishunt.

A complete summary of the 2025 tournament results can be found at www.homerwinterking.com.

2025 Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament Results — Top 10

Place, Angler, Weight in pounds, Boat, Earnings, Side Tourneys

Zach Weimann, 30.66, Profishunt, $35,197.50, $49,010

Dustin Klepacki, 24.74, 289, $18,525

Kim Weimann, 23.88, Profishunt, $14,820

Jace Power, 23.52, Sea Predator, $12,967.50, $12,220

Jeff Laughlin, 23.48, Peacekeeper, $11,115, $4,875

Jeffery Anderson, 22.72, Wicked, $9,262.50

Jack Heinbold, 22.44, Ak 0148l , $7,410.00

Brandon Kosht, 22.42, Sweet T, $5,557.50, $4,095

Kendall Soares, 22.24, Double Time, $3,705.00

John Raymond, 22.22, Callie Girl, $1,852.50