Skipper Andy Cates docked Red Rooster III after a four-day Bluefin Jim chartered trip. The boat's 32 anglers got off at H&M Landing July 31. Chartermaster Jim Casey, of Irvine said the trip produced "Cedros-quality" yellowtail off kelp paddies.

"This is tuna season," continued Casey, who works at The Longfin in Orange, "but we got a lot of yellowtail. We didn't want to go where all the seiners were going to be. Why should we leave the paddies? We were catching so many yellows, we ended up releasing a lot."

Chris Klassen, of San Diego took first place with a 32.5-pound yellowtail. Chris used a 2/0 ringed J hook, 40-pound P-Line with 40-pound fluorocarbon topshot, an Avet SX reel and a Daiwa rod.

Danny Fields, of Las Vegas was second with a 31.7-pound yellowtail caught with a flylined sardine on a 2/0 Gorilla hook, 40-pound Izorline, a Tiagra 20 reel, and a Seeker 65 rod.

Eighteen-year old Cole Hiramatsu of Orange County was aboard his first long range trip and can't wait to get back on. He ended up getting third place with a 31.1-pound yellowtail. Cole flylined a sardine on a 2/0 Owner circle hook, 30-pound Izorline, a Shimano Trinidad 30 reel and a Calstar 850 rod.

"What a great trip," said Cole. "I ate better on the boat than I do at home. I had a lot of fun; they have a really great crew."