Yellowtail On Iron

Jeff DeBuys docked Independence July 31 after a five-day trip offshore and to Guadalupe Island. Chartermaster Gary Kimura of Kimura’s Tackle was aboard.

“This is the best group,” he said, “they fished great, even though we had some tough conditions.”

Yellowtail from the island swept the jackpot, beating out some bluefin tuna of 36 to 38 pounds.

Ray Diaz of La Habra won first place, and earned praise for his skills from DeBuys. He also earned hugs and smiles from his six-year-old daughter Domenica, who posed with Ray and his 45.8-pound yellowtail.

Photo here...

Ray said he got his prize yellow on a sardine and a 2/0 Eagle Claw hook tied to 40-pound Big Game line, on a Pro Gear 4/0 reel and a 6465 Calstar rod.

John Martini of Long Beach won second place. Randy Britton of Lawton, OK said he got six big yellows on Salas 6X Jr. jigs. A scrambled eggs version produced the third-place winner for him, a 40.8-pounder.

Photo here...

“Right now, the fish are doing their own thing,” reflected DeBuys after the weigh-in. “They won’t come off the bait and come to the boat.”

Vagabond Tuna Mix

Mike Lackey brought his Vagabond home to Pt. Loma Sportfishing July 31with a catch of bluefin and albacore. Bluefin swept the jackpot spots.

Bill Osborne of Bakersfield needed only 15 minutes to break his 43.8-pound bluefin tuna and see it gaffed aboard. He said he fished a sardine on a 2/0 Mustad hook. He used 25-pound P-Line, a 545 Pro Gear reel and a Calstar 870 rod.

Photo here...

Tim Shedd of Moorepark was second, for a 37.6-pound shortfin, and Kirk Drickman of Woodland took third place, for a 37-pound bluefin tuna.