"We had the best albacore fishing east of the 670-Mile Bank," said Spirit of Adventure owner-skipper Mike Keating as he weighed jackpot contenders on the certified scales at H&M Landing August 19. His Big Ten Charter was just back after a four-day trip with 245 anglers. Phil Kassell of San Bernadino won first place. At 81, Phil is a practicing trial lawyer. His 37.9-pound albie was the best of the bunch. He said he got it with a sardine on a size two Gorilla hook, 40-pound Ande line on a TLD 20 reel and a vintage Silaflex seven-foot rod.

Burt Orland of Redlands was second, for a 36.4-pounder, and Garrett Russell of Valencia won third place for a 36.2-pound albacore.