Rooster Cops A Three

Andy Cates docked Red Rooster III at H&M Landing January 5 after a ten-day New Years Special trip to the lower banks.

The big fish was the jackpot-winning 311-pounder caught by Paul Palmer of Temecula, on his first long range trip. Paul baited a squid under the kite, fought the fish for an hour and beat his personal best by 276 pounds. He used the boat's rig: 130-pound Izorline and 130-pound Izor Spectra on an Accurate 80 reel and a Calstar 760 XH rod.

"What I'll remember," said Paul, "was the total fight of the fish, how strong he was."

Tim Ivy of San Diego won second place for a 277-pounder that ate a mackerel on a 7/0 Eagle Claw hook. He fished with 130-pound unknown line, 130-pound Line One Spectra on a Shimano Triton 50 W reel.

Greg Wahl of Fullerton won third place for a 257.9-pounder. It took a macker4el on a 5/0 Gamakatsu hook. He used 130-pound Izorline and 130-pound Power Pro Spectra on a Penn 70 reel and a Calstar six-foot rod.

Allen Lemberg of San Diego found a 255-pounder at the end of his 130-pound Izolrine and Izor Spectra. It ate a sardine under the balloon on a 5/0 Eagle Claw hook. He used and Accurate 50 reel and a Seeker 6465 XXH rod.

Mike "Slam" Shelton got a 236-pounder. Sarah Reader of Torrance bagged a 230-pounder on the balloon with a sardine on a 7/0 Eagle Claw hook. She fished with 100-poundSeaguar fluorocarbon leader and 130-pound Izorline Spectra on an Avet 50 reel and a Seeker 660 XXH rod.

"I'm just speechless," said Sarah at the scales. "It took 20 minutes. My best fish before was a 45-pound yellowtail."

Sarah is 17, goes to South Torrance High and plays softball.

"Coach" Cliff Clark of Union City took a 228-pounder. Richard Zawlacki finished the Rooster's cow roundup with a 226-pounder.



By Paul Sweeney