Andy Cates docked the Red Rooster III at H&M Landing September 24 after the boat's last five-day trip of the season, which visited Guadalupe Island. Fishing was a tough scratch, but his anglers still got nearly four big tuna per person.

Ben Murphy of Point Loma, a former deckhand, won first place for an 88-pound yellowfin tuna.

"He hit the bait and knocked it out of the water," said Ben. "Is that OK to say? And then he almost spooled me. He fought for half an hour."

Ben fished with a rig belonging to the boat. He baited a sardine on a 4/0 Mustad hook, with 40-pound Izorline on a Penn 500 reel and a Calstar 665 rod.

Rob Pennell of Pt. Loma won second place for an 82.7-pounder, and Steve Stutz of Pt. Loma was third, for an 80-pound yellowfin tuna.