Searcher docked under owner-skipper Art Taylor's hand August 26 after five days at sea, having visited Cedros/Benitos and the offshore tuna grounds.

"There's lots of tuna around," said Art, "spread over 30 miles. And there's some decent dorado under a few of the paddies. The water's about 68.5 degrees." Most of Art's 14 anglers had near-limits of mixed yellowtail and tuna.

Bruce Gotnar of Menifee won first place for his 30.8-pound yellowtail. He said he took it with a sardine on a 2/0 Mustad hook tied to 25-pound Izorline. He fished with a Penn 501 reel and a custom Sabre seven-foot rod. He brought his fish to gaff in about 25 minutes.
Mike Ray of Huntington Beach won second place for a 27-pounder, and Mike Yearry of San Clemente won third place for a 25.4-pound yellowtail.