Independence docked under Jeff DeBuys' hand August 19 after a five-day trip with 30 aboard. Jeff tied up at Pt. Loma Sportfishing and weighed the best of the catch.

"It was challenging fishing," he said. "The tax man (white shark) is around at Guadalupe Island, and he is taxing. There were times when he got maybe 40 percent. The offshore fishing is slow, but there's a few golden paddies. We got one wahoo on an orange and black Marauder, and we ate him for dinner."

Chek Tang of Alameda won first place for his 40.5-pound yellowfin tuna. He said he got it with a sardine on a 2/0 Gamakatsu hook and 30-pound Big Game line. He used a Torium 20 reel and a six-foot rod of unknown make.

Deseree Frentress of Portland, OR was second for a 39.4-pound yellowtail, and Bruce Little won third place for a 38.2-pound yellowtail.