Steven Schneblin of San Diego caught a 327-pound tuna on a ten-day trip, with a rig kindly supplied by Captain Patella of the American Angler, docked at Pt. Loma Sportfishing December 15.

"All kudos to Sam and the American Angler crew," said Schneblin. "This was my third time on the boat, but the first with Sam. It won't be the last. I brought all the wrong equipment, but they set me up with what I needed. This was the best trip I've ever been on; the passengers all worked together.

"Right before I hooked my fish, we'd been driving for hours. Captain Patella came over the speaker and said, ???We're going to do something crazy. I'm gonna anchor in shallow water, and we'll give it an hour.' Sure enough, I butt-hooked a small mackerel and I caught my big fish."

Steven pinned the mackerel on a 6/0 Owner Ringed Super Mutu hook tied to 135-pound Izorline with Super Braided spectra Topshot. He used a Penn 50 N reel and a Custom Cal Star Rod from Blue Water Tackle in Solana Beach.

Mike Casey of Lakewood won second place for a 288-pound tuna that was "just a beast." He said he fished a 91004 Mustad hook on 130-pound Izorline, with an Avet 50 reel and a 6465 XXH Calstar rod.

John Heil of San Diego won third place for a 283.5-pound tuna. He belly-hooked his bait on an 8/0 Eagle Hook circle hook tied to 130-pound Izorline. He fished with an Avet 50 W reel and a 7460 H Calstar rod.

"Aw man, the fight lasted an hour and a half," said Heil. "I was a little too excited when I first hooked him but I eventually calmed down. I was getting crushed on this trip. It was just phenomenal; I had to pass two of these big fish off to others."

The American Angler's webmaster, Barry Gambarana of Las Vegas, got a 324-pound yellowfin on the kite using the "Double-Trouble" rig: two sardines on two 8/0 Eagle Claw 2004 forged hooks, ringed by Jim Kastorff. He fished with 135-pound blue Izorline with 135-pound Izor Spectra on an Accurate 50 reel and a 6465 Cal Star rod .

"It was a thrill of a lifetime," said Gambarana, "and it couldn't have been done without the captain and crew. I was very fortunate."

There were 13 tuna over 200 pounds, including the two "super cow" 300-pounders.