"My Wife Told Me To Go Fishing" and it was a good thing, opined long ranger Mike Gooing of Costa Mesa, because he picked up three more cows to add to his record of about 20 years worth of long ranging. Two of them weighed 224 and 244 pounds, but Mike won the jackpot for his second-ever 300-pound yellowfin tuna. The first one came back in 1993, the year dock reporter Bill Roecker took over the beat from Pug Jones. This one weighed 314 pounds when skipper Justin Fleck hung it on the Excel's scales at sea. Excel and Gooing arrived at Fisherman's Landing February 6 after the 15-day trip with 28 anglers. They tallied 14 cows for their efforts. Gooing got his on a chunk bait and a 9/0 Mustad 7691 hook. He used 130-ppund Seaguar Premier fluorocarbon and 130-pound Line One spectra on a Penn 50 W reel modified by Baker and Sheets, and a Calstar 660 XXH rod wrapped by Bobby at Glenn's Tackle. "I had him coming at 20 minutes," said Mike," but he got into a really bad tangle with another fish. The crew saved it for me, though."

Henry Flores of Alta Loma brought home a 247-pounder, good for second place. He said it bit a sardine on a 5/0 ringed Owner Super Mutu hook on 60-pound blue Izorline and 50-pound Line One spectra. He didn't say why he was using such light gear, but there were plenty of medium tuna and wahoo around. Flores used a Penn 16 VSX reel and a seven-foot Calstar rod.

Nonon Alvarez of Cerritos took a half-four to whip his 223-pounder. He said his third-place winner took a chunk on a piece of wire, with 100-pound Seaguar Premier fluorocarbon and 130-pound Izorline spectra. He fished with a Penn 50 reel by Cal Sheets and a Calstar 655 XXH rod.

Mike Jennings Larkspur, CO bagged a 225 with a chunk on a 9/0 Eagle Claw hook. He fished the meat with 130-pound pink Yo-Zuri fluorocarbon leader and 130-pound Line One spectra on a Calstar 760 M rod.

Al Merrick of Carpinteria caught a 222-pound tuna with a chunk on a 6/0 Owner Mutu hook on 100-pound Seaguar Premier fluorocarbon. He fished with 100-pound Seaguar Premier fluorocarbon and 130-pound Line One spectra on an Avet 50 reel and a Calstar 770 XXH rod. "He made four big runs, and then he died," said Merrick, "and I had to crank him up."

Paul Corbitt found a 220-pounder, but wasn't available for interview.

Pilot Tim Turis of Atlanta added to his cow collection with a 221-pound yellowfin. He said the fight went 20 minutes after the fish took his mackerel on a Mustad 9/0 39943 hook. He employed 130-pound Momoi line and 130-pound Line One spectra on a Penn 50 T by Cal Sheets and a Calstar X46XH rod.

Bob Maugh of Apple Valley managed a 219-pounder. It found his sardine on a 9/0 Eagle Claw hook tied to 100-pound Seaguar Premier fluorocarbon. He fished with 100-pound Seaguar Premier fluorocarbon and 130-pound Izorline spectra on an Avet 50 reel and a Calstar 7455 XH rod to beat the fish, which fought for an hour and five minutes.

Jim DeKay of Downey fought his 211-pounder for an hour and a half. He said it took a salami mackerel on a 9/0 Mustad 7691 hook fastened with 130-pound Big Game fluorocarbon. He used 130-pound Line One spectra on an Accurate ATD 50 reel and a Calstar 765 H rod.

Phil Ruemmler of Pasco, WA spun his 208 and 210-pounder in with a mackerel on a 9/0 Mustad J hook on 130-pound Seaguar Premier fluorocarbon leader. He used 130-pound Soft Steel Ultra line and 130-pound Izorline spectra on a Penn 50 reel and a Calstar 6455 XXXH rod.

Vladimir Kusturic rounded out the list with a 204-pound yellowfin tuna. He wasn't available for more information. The Excel's catch was excellent for both wahoo and tuna, with an added sprinkling of yellowtail and nine halibut.