Alex Lail of Temecula won first place for an albacore on the American Angler's four-day trip that docked at Pt. Loma Sportfishing August 10. The trip was sponsored by Angler's Choice Tackle and skippered by Sam Patella. The four days were spent fishing on the outside, mostly beyond the Cortes Bank, said fishermen aboard.

Lail said he got his 37.6-pound longfin on a sardine and a 6/0 Mustad ringed hook. He didn't know which model. He said he used 30-pound Izorline, a Grand Wave Combo reel and a Daiwa six-foot rod, and scrapped with his fish for 15 minutes.

David Karlin of Chula Vista was second, for a 36.4-pounder, Robert Starkey of San Diego was third, for a 35.8-pounder, and rookie Melissa Palmer of Tucson was fourth, for a 33.2-pound albacore. She posed with the winners.