A brace of yellowfin weighing 92.5 pounds each were all Tom Sczzeblowski of Yorba Linda needed to take first place aboard the American Angler's latest ten-day trip, sponsored by M&M Custom Rods. Boat rules meant he could only claim one place in the jackpot. Sam Patella skippered the trip with 26 anglers, which returned to Pt. Loma Sportfishing October 15.

"It was a 45-minute fight," said Tom at the scales, "and the screws in my reel side plate loosened and the spool got sticky. But we got him in."

Tom said he fished a sardine on a 5/0 Eagle Claw hook, tied to 50-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon leader, 50-pound Big Game line and 65-pound Izorline Spectra. He used an Avet HX reel and a Calstar 6465 H rod.

Steve Kramer of Santee won second place for an 80-pound tuna, and Bill Bise of El Cajon won third place for a 72-pound yellowfin.

Mike Chesley of Palm Springs joined the winners with his 62-pound wahoo, just one pound off the season's current best. He got the big skinny with a Tady 4/0 jig in blue and chrome, on 50-pound line.

The trip's best yellowtail was a 53-pounder taken by Eric Gibson of San Diego, who also joined the jackpot lineup.