Jeff DeBuys docked Independence at Pt. Loma Sportfishing after the annual Shoot-Out trip with 27 anglers aboard, including John Beuttler, a former United Anglers executive director, and Brandon Hayward, Western Outdoor News saltwater editor. The 12-day trip fished the outside southern zone for a good catch of tuna up to 312 pounds. Five were cows, tuna over 200 pounds. "He kicked my behind," said Beuttler, pictured above who won first place for his 312.4-pound tuna. His best before was right at 200 pounds, he said. John is a fisheries consultant these days, and he told dock reporter Bill Roecker that he got his supercow on a sardine and a 6/0 ringed Owner Super Mutu hook on 100-pound P-Line fluorocarbon and 130-pound P-Line spectra. He used an Avet 30 W reel and a Seeker 6460 XH rod; light gear for a fish that size. "It was just after dusk when I got bit," said Beuttler. "I could see my line in the underwater lights on the stern, but not when I got to my spectra. So I put a couple of turns on the reel to see my line again and it loaded up. "I've got to thank Jesus Companioni for assisting me. That fish took me around the boat five times, and Jesus helped me in getting over the cathead (anchor winch)."

Oklahoma crappie angler Lester Eldredge of Okmulgee bagged something a bit bigger than a slab: a 296.6-pound tuna that was long and skinny. "My best fish before was an 80-pound spoonbill (paddlefish)," he said. "This guy dragged me around the boat six times, they told me." Eldredge baited a sardine on a 5/0 ringed Super Mutu tied to 80-pound Yo-Zuri and 100-pound Power Pro spectra on an Avet 30 W reel and a Seeker 6455 XXXH rod.

Stanley Blush of Oceanside won third place for a 249.6-pounder that scarfed down a flying fish under the kite. He said the flyer was pinned on a 10/0 Mustad 7691 hook connected to 130-pound Yo-Zuri and 130-pound Izorline spectra. He fished with an Avet 50 W reel and a Super Seeker 6463 XXXH rod. "This is my best fish," he said. "It took me around the Indy twice, and made a half-dozen long runs."

Mike Brennan of Martinez bagged a brace of cows at 205 and 209 pounds. The bigger one fought for an hour, he said. He used sardine baits on a 5/0 ringed Super Mutu hook tied to 100-pound Seaguar Premier fluorocarbon and 130-pound Izorline spectra, and fished with an Okuma 20 reel and a Calstar 760 XXH rod.

Indy is in port until December 26, when the 12-day Baja Fish Gear trip will depart.