American Angler returned from a five-day limited load Chasin' Tuna charter to Point Loma Sportfishing August 28. Owner skipper Sam Patella produced the first tuna to surpass the century mark in weight this year. "We got lucky," he said.

"It was a 45-minute battle on the bow," Mark Schneekluth said after learning his Guadalupe yellowfin weighed 140.6-pounds. "It was a total blast, and it was totally exhausting. My arms still shake. The crew did a great job maneuvering around the anchor, back and forth."

Mark landed his big tuna after he flylined a squid on a 6/0 hook, 80-pound line, a Trinidad reel and a six-foot Calstar rod.

"We had the right group to do this," Patella said at the scales. "They had patience. From the get-go, they were about quality. We were at the right place at the right time; but it looks prosperous. It should be really good next month."

John Stetson of Vista was second for a 97.2-pound yellowfin caught on a 4/0 Owner circle hook, 50-pound Big Game line, a Baja Special reel and a Seeker Black Steel rod.

"It pulled like a mother," said Stetson, "especially on a single speed reel."

Pat Noll of Vista took third for an 87.4-pound yellowfin brought to the boat on 30-pound line.

"Don't use any light line!" Noll advised.