Sam Patella docked American Angler June 22 after a seven-day trip with 27 anglers. Yellowfin tuna won the top spots.

"Today was our last day of fishing on this trip," wrote Sam on June 21, "and as I mentioned, we were going to mix it up with the Local fleet in hopes of catching some Longfin to wrap things up here. In the last week things sure have changed in a good way with all the sign of fish still in a bunch of different places in this ocean - it sure looks like we're in for a fun season ahead of us."

Rep Dan Kadota of San Pedro won first place for a tuna he bagged with one of the lures he supports, an SPRO popper in sardine color. He showed one for the camera.

Kadota said he used 40-pound Izorline on a Trinidad 30 reel and a Loomis nine-foot jig rod to take his prize.

"It makes you feel like you're fishing on a lake with the popper," he said. "You can see the fish come up and smash it."

Chuck Carlson of Arroyo Grande was second, for a 49.6-pound yellowfin, and Phil Oliva of Woodland, WA was third, for a 49.2-pound tuna.

Searcher docked June 22 at Fisherman's Landing, under owner Art Taylor's hand. Art remarked on the great weather and the great fishing he and his angler enjoyed, and said he'd found some good bluefin fishing on tuna of 25 to 40 pounds, about 150 miles from port, in 66-degree water. He also said he'd had excellent yellowtail fishing on inside waters.

Adam "Gator" Saldick of North Hollywood won first place on the five-day trip, for a 39.2-pound bluefin he tricked with a sardine on a 3/0 Super Mutu hook, Adne 30-pound line, a Trinidad 20 reel and an 800 M Calstar rod.

""It only took five minutes," said Gator. "He devoured it, took off and came right back to the boat."

Toney Altieri of Toluca Lake was second, for a 38.2-pounder, and Jerry King, ex lift-poler and long-time long ranger, won third place for a 36.8-pound bluefin tuna.