"Good evening from us out here on the high seas," read the report from Independence September 25. "Today we had great action on yellowfin tuna, and some Mahi Mahi to thrill everyone on board. Everyone had their fill today. The weather has become a bit windy, and choppy, but when you are catching fish you do not mind it much at all."

Skipper Jeff DeBuys unloaded his catch at Pt. Loma Sportfishing September 27.

"We spent one day at Guadalupe," he said, "and we found some hot offshore action. We crammed a five-day trip into four days."

Chris Bello of Philly produced the jackpot winner, a 31.8-pound yellowfin. He said he took it with a sardine on a 2/0 ringed Mutu hook on 30-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon leader and 20-pound Izorline. He used an Avet JX reel and an eight-foot Loomis rod.

Burr Northrop of Chino Hills won second place for a 31.2-pound yellowtail and Chris Pohl of Santa Clarita was right behind with a 30.4-pound yellowtail.