"There was excellent sign of bluefin offshore," said Independence skipper Jeff DuBuys at Pt. Loma Sportfishing June 29, "and there still is great yellowtail fishing at the islands. We had a major run-in with a seiner over a dandy school.

"We had about 50 bluefin on board," he continued, "When a seiner came steaming up at 15 knots and circled us close. Then he wrapped the school. What are you gonna do?"

Earl Durham of Rancho Santa Margarita won first place for a 38-pound bluefin. He said he got it with a sardine on a 3/0 Super Mutu hook on 25-pound P-Line. He fished with a Pro gear 280 reel and a Calstar 700 ML rod.

Corey Concha of Chula Vista won second place for a 35.8-pounder, and Greg Stoney of Ventura was third, for a 35.6-pound bluefin tuna.

"Outside of that," finished DuBuys, "it was a nice five-day trip, with very nice weather."