By Bill Roecker

Back in 2000, the style of long range tuna fishing took a radical turn. With the closure of the Revillagigedos Islands to close-by, anchored-style fishing, skippers and crews had to venture into open, deep water to fish. Near San Diego in the summer, this style of fishing is called “run and gun,” because the tuna are pursued until they bite or sound. The stops last only as long as fish are nearby and/or biting.

Over the seasons since, many excellent catches have been made close to southern Baja, as well as off the islands with this method. The tuna may be spotted under bird schools, with porpoise herds, or appear only on the boat’s sonar at first. What all this means to anglers is that the time, the “window of opportunity” for hooking big tuna is limited. You’ve got to be ready to get a fresh bait into the water quickly when the tuna show up, and to put it as close to the school as you can.

While squid and scad mackerel and other mackerel like greenback and Spanish varieties have always produced big tuna, that is less common these days, and the bait is definitely a consideration when it comes to hook size, tackle selection, etc. Getting a lively sardine out and in front of a big tuna that’s cruising around at 25 miles an hour or more is sometimes difficult.

Long-time Royal Polaris skipper Steve Loomis watched the weigh-in scene when the boat arrived yesterday.

“You notice most of these fish now are coming on sardines,” he pointed out. “If it’s scratchy tuna fishing, you can’t beat a sardine for bait. Mackerel and squid are just fine sometimes, but when there’s a lot of small bait in the water the sardines are usually best.”

The long range big fish season runs from October to June. Big tuna, fish over 200 pounds, are all male but are referred to as “cows” because of their size. After the first couple of months of cow-catching, the score stands at 268, which would seem to point toward a very good year.

Even better, the current count on “super cows,” or tuna over 300 pounds, stands at 15. Compare that with last year’s total of 18 for the entire season, a very good season for such whoppers. It makes the rest of the season look inviting, to say the least.

Here’s an accounting of super cows as of December 23, 2007:

“Full-Speed Fishing”

By Paul Sweeney

Tommy Rothery returned Polaris Supreme to Fisherman’s Landing November 18 after a ten-day Ocean Tackle Research charter. The boat had 13 anglers aboard. Chartermaster Lon Mikkelsen of Hood River, OR saw his father, Bill Mikkelsen of Olympia, WA land the season’s first super cow; a tuna over 300 pounds.

“It was full-speed fishing,” said Chartermaster Lon Mikkelsen.

Bill Mikkelsen’s big fish won first place after it weighed in at 308.8-pounds, caught on a fly-lined sardine. Bill used the boat’s gear, including a 6/0 Mustad 7691 hook, 100-pound P-Line, and a Shimano rod and reel.

“Tommy said it was tail-wrapped from the beginning,” said the elder Mikkelsen. “And he was, but he got lose and went on another run. He took me around the boat twice.”

Vagabond Super Cow

By Paul Sweeney

Vagabond arrived at Point Loma Sportfishing November 20 under owner Mike Lackey’s hand, after a nine-day open-party trip to the Southern Banks with 16 anglers. The boat landed five tuna over 200 pounds, including a whopper super cow; a 327.6-pound yellowfin caught by Tony Saldivar of Laguna Hills.

The fight lasted two hours after the fish hit his fly-lined sardine. “I almost got spooled three times,” said Tony. “I got ‘em in the evening, fought him into the dark. I didn’t think he was anything real big at first, but after an hour, everybody knew it was something bigger. Captain Mike could tell by his tail strokes.”

“It was a seriously mean fish,” said Lackey.

Tony used an 8/0 Eagle Claw hook with 130-pound Maxima line and 130-pound Izorline Spectra backing, a Penn International 50 S reel and a Calstar 655 XXXH rod to land the jackpot winning fish. Tony posed at Point Loma Sportfishing’s certified scales with his 11-month old son Kendall.

359-pound Super Cow

By Paul Sweeney

American Angler returned home November 20 after a ten-day CME4TUNA charter that produced 13 tuna over 200-pounds including the biggest catch this season; a 359-pound super cow. Owner Brian Kiyohara was at the helm of the fifth annual charter.

On his first ten-day trip, Erik Kinoshita, of Torrance, hooked and landed the jackpot winning big bruiser. “It was tail-wrapped at first, but about halfway through the fight it came undone and kamikaze’d right at us. I had a lot of help from the crew. We went around the boat several times. I was hooked up right before sundown and fought into night.”

Erik fished a mackerel on a 4/0 Owner Super Mutu hook, 130-pound Izor Blue Top Shot with 130-pound Izorline Spectra backing, a Penn International 50 VSX reel and a Calstar 760 H rod.

“Only Getting Better”

By Paul Sweeney

Royal Star returned to Fisherman’s Landing November 21 after an eleven-day trip that saw Guadalupe Island and Mag Bay tuna fishing. The boat’s 17 anglers returned with 21 tuna over 200-pounds, including a 310-pound super cow.

“This is reminiscent of two years ago,” said Owner-Skipper Randy Toussaint. “The water is perfect, and it’s only going to get better this next month. Tim (his partner skipper Tim Ekstrom) will be going back out Friday.”

Steve Ong of Sacramento landed three milestone trophies on the trip; a 100-pound, 200-pound and 300-pound fish. His biggest previous fish before this trip was 60-pounds.

“This was my first long range trip in 17 years,” said Ong. “My last one was way back in 1980 on the Excel with Randy Toussaint. His expertise of fishing big fish is unprecedented, and second skipper Brian Simms assisted with my fight. He taught me patience.”

Ong fished a 2004 9/0 Eagle Claw hook, 130-pound Izor with 135-pound Jerry Brown Spectra backing, a Penn 50 SW reel and a 760 H Custom Rod by Yo’s. “He fought straight out,” continued Ong, pointing to the horizon. “I stayed mostly on the starboard side, for about two hours.”

First Class Operation

By Paul Sweeney

“I can hardly wait to go back,” Skipper Jeff DeBuys said after he returned Independence to Point Loma Landing November 21 after a Farallon Boats charter, a 10-day trip.

“There is some good fishing down there, we had beautiful weather and noon to dark drifts.

“We had 26 anglers, ages 16 to 82,” Jeff continued, “and they all got their personal best. We’re extremely happy.”

Bill Asbell, 68, took first place with a 356-pound super cow. “I used a friends rod and reel,” Bill said. “I wasn’t prepared for this stuff. The reel was toast when I got finished. I caught a 400-pound thresher shark in Cabo San Lucas 34 years ago, but this was a lot better fight.”

Bill fished a 5/0 Owner Super Mutu hook, 100-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon liter, 100-pound P-Line Top Shot with 125-pound Spectra backing, a Penn 50 S reel, and a Calstar 6465 XH rod.

Run ‘N Gun

By Paul Sweeney

“I think we’re going to be in good shape,” said Skipper Andy Cates after docking Red Rooster III at H&M Landing November 21. “Anytime you get some big ones, you’re gonna be stoked.”

The boat returned with ten tuna over 200-pounds, including a whopping 331.5-pound super cow. Late-afternoon crowds gathered at H&M Landing’s scales, cheering at weigh-ins and taking pictures.

Outdoor Writer Ed Zieralski of the San Diego Union Tribune was also at the weigh-in; covering the recent surge in big tuna caught. “It looks like the average size is bigger this year than two years ago.”

Bob Lubach of San Diego hooked and landed the big bruiser. “I went from 60-pounds as a previous best,” he said, “to 300-pounds. I was stuck up on the bow for the fight.”

Bob fished a mackerel on a 7/0 Eagle Claw 2004 hook, 130-pound Izorline Top Shot with 130-pound Izorline Spectra backing, an Accurate ATD 50 W reel, and a Calstar 760 H rod. He did not enter the jackpot.

“Don’t’ Let Go!”

By Bill Roecker

The tenth annual George Davis trip aboard the Polaris Supreme arrived at Fisherman’s Landing December 5, after spending ten days in southern waters with a super ultra-light load of seven anglers, including chartermaster Davis. There were five tuna over 200 pounds in the catch. One fish was well over 300 pounds.

The big fish came in at 347.8 pounds, caught by Kevin Stokes, who is studying video making and cinematography, working on his B. A. in digital video at Mt. Sierra College in Monrovia. The giant yellowfin bit a sardine on a 6/0 Mustad 7691 hook tied to 100-pound P-Line and 130-pound Spectra on one of the boat’s rigs: a Tiagra 50 reel and a Calstar 6460 XXH rod. It fought for 35 minutes.

“He didn’t fight too hard,” said Stokes. He just laid there like a big cow. I almost lost him at the end, because his circles went all the way across the stern. They got him with four gaffs and lifted him over the rail.

“My best tuna before this one was 180 pounds. It fought harder. I may have this one mounted. Next, I’ve got to go back to work and to school.”

Stokes said he does freelance work in video.

“Like A Mother”

By Bill Roecker

Jeff DeBuys brought Independence home to Point Loma Sportfishing on December 9, after a 15-day trip with 26 anglers. The Save-On Tackle trip fished inside and outside, as far out as the Hurricane Bank.

“It was an epic trip,” summed up DeBuys, who tallied 19 cows, or tuna over 200 pounds.

“Hello from the tired Indy crew,” he wrote December 1 at the Hurricane Bank. “We had a spectacular day today here at the bank. We arrived at 0900 and got situated in no time, and immediately started getting fish. We were steady all day long on these beautiful grade tuna, 130 lb. to 190 lb. and 3 over 200 to 240 lbs. We ended the day with 70 fish for our efforts. Everything was the hot ticket today, sardine, mackerel, chunk, squid, and good kite action till dark. The weather is really good, and we hope it stays that way for a while.”

When Jeff weighed his catch, the big fish weighed 311 pounds. It was caught by Alex Kastaniuk of La Habra Heights, who also got a 207.6-pounder.

“He fought like a mother,” said Alex. “There were times I thought I’d definitely die. He got wrapped up with other anglers four times, and he took me around the boat for an hour and a half. My best fish before was a 190-pounder. I think I’ll have him cut and wrapped.”

Alex said he fished a sardine on a 7/0 ringed Super Mutu hook. He used 130-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon leader, 130-pound Izorline and 130-pound Izor Spectra backing on a Penn 50 SW reel and a Shimano six-foot rod.

“They Wanted Trophies”

By Bill Roecker

Andy Cates bought Red Rooster III home to H&M Landing December 9 after the 17-day Rod & Reel Radio charter with 17 anglers. Like the other two boats that arrived just before the Rooster, Cates had opportunity to fish both inside and outside, but chose to stay off southern Baja for his anglers.

“They wanted trophies, they said,” remarked Cates. “And it looked like the 300-pounders might be inside.”

On December 5, Cates wrote, “Our last day here and this morning is showing better sign with a 206 and 216 and a few 100 plus pound fish to go with. We are hoping for a big day here to finish off with. Yesterday we had action on smaller fish in the morning and then later a handful of fish in the high hundreds up to 199 and a whopper of 337 caught by Bud Mauerhaun. Bud has had a great trip with a 273, 270 and now this 337 after a long skiff ride. Not bad for 81 years old. Congratulations Bud.”

The trip ended with 20 tuna over 2000 pounds, including a pair over 300 pounds.

“I’m 83 years old,” Bud Mauerhan, “and this 339.6-pounder is my best fish ever. The best one before this was 256 pounds. I had to go in the skiff for a two-hour ride.”

The ride paid off with the big first-place tuna and two others that weighed 269 and 251 pounds. He said he used mackerel for bait on 6/0 ringed Super Mutu hooks. He fished with 130-pound Izorline and 130-pound Line One Spectra on a Penn 50 W reel and a Seeker 6460 XXH rod wrapped by Smitty G.

Archie Irions of Escondido won second place for the other super cow, a 318.9-pounder. He also got a 219.5-pounder on a dart, a Mega Bait jig, with an Accurate 12 reel.

But Irions’ big fish bit on a sardine pinned to a 5/0 Super Mutu ringed hook. He said he used 100-pound Blackwater fluorocarbon leader, 100-pound Momoi line, and 130-pound Line One Spectra on an Accurate 30 topless reel and a Seeker five and a half-foot Black Steel rod.

“It took an hour and a half, “ said Archie. “He’s my best fish ever. He bit 40 feet under the boat, and ran out 450 yards. He came up on the stern corner and they put four gaffs in him.”

“Double-Trouble” Baitfish

By Paul Sweeney

“We were down there at the right time,” American Angler owner skipper Brian Kiyohara said after unloading 26 passengers at Point Loma Landing December 14. “We had great fishing on 60 to 150-pound tuna; our timing was great. We got the job done in three days.”

Skip Stenbro of Tiburon sponsored the trip, which brought back seven tuna over 200 pounds, including a 326.5-pound yellowfin caught on the kite.

After the crew hooked the kite up to a “double-trouble” bait, Anthony Foster of Long Beach saw a small boil followed by an explosion on his two sardines.

“That’s all I saw of him until he was at gaff,” Anthony said of his 326.5-pound trophy yellowfin. “I didn’t know how big he’d be. I fought him for an hour and a half. Crewman Jesse Kemble was helping me the whole time.”

The boat’s kite rig used 8/0 hooks, 130-pound Izorline, a Penn 50 two-speed reel and a Seeker 6465 XXH rod. “My previous best fish was a 50-pounder. Yeah, this was a trip of a lifetime,” continued Anthony.

Three 300-Pounders: Intrepid

By Bill Roecker

Tuesday afternoon was a busy time for Intrepid anglers and the crew assisting them.

“We had five or six fish going of 250 pounds or more,” said Buzz Brizendine. Buzz, who owns the Prowler, was aboard the Intrepid as a crewman and valuable advisor on the ten-day trip with 19 anglers. He helped out with several big fish, including the supercow that enticed a crowd to the dock at Pt. Loma Sportfishing when Intrepid arrived December 14.

When the sun went down most of those big yellowfin were on the boat. Skipper Dan Nichols taped them, and the three biggest ones taped at 337, 300 and 381 pounds.

“I taped that big one three times,” said Dan, “and I shaded the measurements.”

Two of the big tuna came in right at their taped estimates, at 300 and 339 pounds. But Bill Falter’s giant fish came in light, at 355 pounds. Falter, a 51-year-old gas station maintenance expert with 15 years in the business, said his best previous tuna was a 65-pounder he got at Guadalupe Island.

“He boiled on my bait,” said Bill, “and he hit it like nobody’s business. He threw big water in all directions. My line straightened out and I set the hook and right away I knew it was a big fish.

“I had the drag set very tight,” continued Falter, “and I pulled on him hard and he came at the boat. Then he went to the bow and took off and came out surfing way out there. I could have water skied behind him.

“I didn’t give him any slack. I kept the drag on hard and stayed on the bow. The fight took an hour. That’s where they gaffed him, but they brought him up through the passenger gate down the side. Dan taped him at 83.5 inches in length and 61 inches in girth.

“I’ve only been fishing long range for a couple of years,” noted Falter. I’ve done lots of two and three-day trips, and I’ve fished on private boats. I’m hoping somebody will be interested in this one as a mount.”

Falter got his jackpot-winning monster on the boat’s kite gear. The boat’s report said, “…it exploded on a jumbo live squid pinned to a custom double hook leader using an 18/0 Mustad 39960D circle hook and a 12/0 7691 Stinger attached to a 600-pound Soft Steel leader. Backing that up with 200-pound Jerry Brown hollow Spectra on an Avet Pro EXW 50-2 (thanks Harry, you rock) reel and a Seeker 6463 XXXH Black Steel Graphite rod.”

Corey Kong of Torrance won second place for a 339.2-pound yellowfin on a boat rig, after it also ate a squid under the kite.

“He boiled when he took the bait,” said Corey, “and then he ran out 300 yards. He was very stubborn and he fought for an hour. My best fish before this one was a 250-pounder. I want to credit the crew for their excellent help. What will I do with the fish? Cut it and eat him.”

Tom Hoskins of Fullerton won third place for his 300-pound tuna. His previous best was a 280-pounder.

“This one was on a squid and the kite with the boat rig, too,” he said. “He bit, he took off, he came back to the boat and fought me for an hour and a half. We were up on the bow and he took me around the anchor six or eight times.”

Star Gets 27

By Bill Roecker

The cows came home aboard the Royal Star with skipper Tim Ekstrom and Randy Toussaint. The boat docked late Tuesday and the fish were offloaded early Wednesday, December 19. There were 27 cows, or tuna over 200 pounds, including a kite-caught 345.9-pounder taken by Roger Nies of San Diego.

“I saw a little boil,” said Roger, “and then I saw his head. He ran like hell and made two long runs. Then he went down up off the bow and we had a half-hour stand-off.

"He came up on the port corner. This is my second trip. My best fish before was a 292-pounder.”

The fight lasted an hour. Nies used a sardine on a 9/0 Eagle Claw hook on the boat’s kite rig. When the fish was gilled and gutted, Star crewmen found a complete set of gill rakers and attached innards inside the super cow.

“Between The Fronts”

By Bill Roecker

Independence docked at Pt. Loma Sportfishing December 19 after the Fisherman’s Hardware 10-day trip with 26 anglers. Mark Pisano skippered the trip and co-owner Paul Strasser assisted as second. There were seven cows in the catch.

“We had better weather this trip,” said Mark, “We went down and came back between the fronts. We got fish every day. We had good action in the mornings, and the bigger fish bit in the afternoons. Most were on sardines, but we got a few on squid with the kite.”

John Arndt of Huntington Beach won first place for a 300.7-pounder that ate his sardine on a 7/0 Eagle Claw hook. He fished with 130-pound Izorline and 130-pound Izor Spectra on an Avet 50 reel and a Calstar 760 H rod.

“I saw the boil,” said Arndt. “He stayed up on the bow most of the fight, but he came up on the portside stern. He fought an hour and 25 minutes.”

Lucky, Unknown Angler

By Paul Sweeney

Red Rooster III and it’s 21 passengers December 20 after a ten-day trip.

“We got some good quality fish,” Skipper Andy Cates said after he docked Red Rooster III and it’s 21 passengers December 20 after a ten-day trip. “We were fishing 60 to 100-pound fish. We had our chances on the big ones and we did a great job.”

Norm Fugimoto of Izorline chartered the trip, which garnered four cows.

“We had a great group of guys,” said Norm at the H&M Landing Certified Scales. “And the fishing was good. We got a couple toads.”

Greg Brooks of Yucaipa landed a 308.8-pound supercow off the kite. The big yellowfin qualified for first place in the jackpot. The kite rig used “Double Trouble” sardines for bait.

“I saw him make a pass on it,” remarked Greg. “And then he hit it hard. I winded as hard as I could and as fast as I could. I was lucky to hook him. He probably pulled 300 yards on his first run.”

Greg used 7/0 Owner ringed circle hooks, 130-pound Izorline, an Accurate 80 reel and a Calstar XXXH rod.

“He Was Unconscious”

By Bill Roecker

Coming in December 23, the Royal Polaris finished up a 15-day Izorline trip with skipper Roy Rose in grand style, as 15 tuna over 200 pounds were weighed.

One tuna went 301 pounds, caught by Dane S. Shota of Huntington Beach, who was on his second long range trip. Dane, whose best tuna before was 88 pounds, also had two other big fish on this trip, at 288.8 and 285 pounds. He won first and third places in the jackpot.

“He was unconscious,” said one of the anglers aboard. “He just dropped in a bait and the big one was on!”

“He bit off the stern,” said Dane. “He ran out with half my Spectra, and then he fought me mostly from the stern, but he took me around the boat three times. Two and a half hours later, he came up on the stern. I’ll keep these big fish and cut and can them for my family and friends.”

Dane fished with sardines and 7/0 ringed Super Mutu hooks. He used 100-pound Blackwater fluorocarbon leader and 130-pound Izorline on a Penn 30 W reel modified by Cal Sheets, and a Calstar 7455 XH rod. The monster whipped up on him for two hours and 25 minutes.

“That big fish hurt me so much on that rod that I went to an XXH for the next one,” said Dane.” That worked better; a lot better.”

The arrival of Royal Polaris marked the last long trip of 2007.

Coming Up Next

In January the fleet will be fishing for more cows and super cow tuna. Until the water cools off southern Baja that will be a likely spot to find them. Eventually the fleet will likely only find big tuna at the Hurricane Bank, hundreds of miles off Cabo San Lucas, and that’s where the fishing will be until the season ends next June. Prospects look about as good as they ever have for super cows. If you think you’re going, better book soon, because every tuna angler who ever breathed hopes for a 300-pounder, a world-class tuna.

The fleet is in port for Christmas. For the owners and crews, for me and editor Paul Sweeney at FishingVideos.com and the San Diego Sportfishing Council here’s wishing happy holidays for all.

By Bill Roecker

Coming in December 23, the Royal Polaris finished up a 15-day Izorline trip with skipper Roy Rose in grand style, as 15 tuna over 200 pounds were weighed. It was the last long trip of 2007.

One tuna went 301 pounds, caught by Dane S. Shota of Huntington Beach, who was on his second long range trip. Dane, whose best tuna before was 88 pounds, also had two other big fish on this trip, at 288.8 and 285 pounds. He won first and third places in the jackpot.

“He was unconscious,” said one of the anglers aboard. “He just dropped in a bait and the big one was on!”

“He bit off the stern,” said Dane. “He ran out with half my Spectra, and then he fought me mostly from the stern, but he took me around the boat three times. Two and a half hours later, he came up on the stern. I’ll keep these big fish and cut and can them for my family and friends.”

Dane fished with sardines and 7/0 ringed Super Mutu hooks. He used 100-pound Blackwater fluorocarbon leader and 130-pound Izorline on a Penn 30 W reel modified by Cal Sheets, and a Calstar 7455 XH rod. The monster whipped up on him for two hours and 25 minutes.

“That big fish hurt me so much on that rod that I went to an XXH for the next one,” said Dane at Fisherman's Landing.” That worked better; a lot better.”

Howard Hada was the chartermaster, and produced the second-best fish for his effort. He got a 297-pounder, a 234.5 and a 205-pound tuna.

“It was a great trip,” said Howard. “I fished with sardine baits on 6/0 ringed Super Mutus. I tied on 130-pound Izor fluorocarbon, 130-pound Izorline and 130-pound Izor Spectra. I used a Penn 50 reel by Cal Sheets and a 7460 H rod. The big one fought for a little over an hour.”

Roger Hawtree bagged a 289-pound tuna. No other information was available.

Stan Bonillas of Newport Beach got a 272.8-pounder on a mackerel sunk with six ounces of lead. He baited a 7/0 ringed Super Mutu on 130-pound Seaguar Premier fluorocarbon and 130-pound Line One Spectra. He used a Baker/Penn 50 reel and a Calstar 765 H rod. The fish fought for two hours.

Neil Campbell of Fallbrook took 30 minutes to subdue a 261.4-pounder. It bit a sardine on a 7/0 ringed Super Mutu on 100-pound Blackwater fluorocarbon leader tied to 130-pound Line One Spectra o n a Penn 50 reel and a Calstar 6465 XXH rod.

George Outhwaite of Santa Ana was skin-tight to Campbell with a 261.3-pounder. He said it came on a sardine on a 7/0 ringed Super Mutu. He used 130-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon leader and 130-pound Izorline tied to 130-pound Line One Spectra, with a Super Seeker 6463 XXXH rod to do the job in 40 minutes. He also got a 222.4-pound tuna.

Keith Patterson of Santa Fe Springs got a 238.3-pound tuna after an hour-long fight. The fish ate a sardine on a 7/0 ringed Super Mutu hook tied to 130-pound Izorline and 130-pound izor Spectra on a Penn 50 reel and a Seeker 6463 XXH rod.

Mike Stout of Huntington Beach took a 234-pounder, a good feat, but he was much more proud of the 182-pounder he bagged with a nine and a half-foot Seeker Ulua rod.

“It was incredible,” he said. “I used a sardine for bait. It took an hour and 15 minutes. The long rod works a lot better than you’d think.”

Dick Freeman of Seal Beach caught a 210-pound yellowfin on a sardine and a 6/0 ringed Super Mutu hook, with 130-pound Line One Spectra and a Calstar 6465 XXH rod.

Maury Newton of Orange found a 202.4-pound tuna with a sarine on a 3/0 Gorilla hook tied to 80-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon leader and 80-pound Line One Spectra. He used an Avet 4/0 reel and a Calstar 6460 H rod.

Skipper Steve Loomis watched the weigh-in scene. “You notice most of these fish now are coming on sardines,” he pointed out. “If it’s scratchy tuna fishing, you can’t beat a sardine for bait. Mackerel and squid are just fine sometimes, but when there’s a lot of small bait in the water the sardines are usually best.”

The fleet is in port for Christmas, wishing happy holidays for all.

By Paul Sweeney

Skipper Mike Ramirez returned 28 anglers to Fisherman’s Landing December 20 after a ten-day trip aboard Excel. The open charter brought home six yellowfin over 200 pounds.

“There wasn’t much to catch on the way down,” said Captain Ramirez. “So we just went straight to the lower banks. We had a lot of life on 60 to 100 pound fish with the bigger ones mixed in here and there. We stayed for five days with nice weather.

“On the way back, we fished outside Geronimo for three hours and caught a lot of reds.”

Bob Neal of Huntington Beach took first place in the jackpot for a 292.8-pound tuna that bit a sardine. Bob used a 9/0 hook off the boat, 130-pound leader, 100-pound Big Game line, a Penn International 50 SW reel and a Calstar 760 H rod.

“I was pinned to the rail,” exclaimed Bob. “He was a lot meaner than my big fish on this trip last year. He broke my rod belt. It took me two and a half hours to bring him in.

“Mike was great, I couldn’t have done it without him.”

A 233.4-pound yellowfin was good for second place; caught by angler Jason Smith of Mesa, AZ.

“I fly-lined a makerel,” remarked Jason, “and he took 750 yards of line on his first run. I had 29-pounds of drag too. It was a two hour fight.”

Jason used a 9/0 Eagle Claw 2004 ringed hook, 100-pound Seaguar Fluorocarbon, Blackwater Hollow Core Spectra, a Shimano Tiagra 30 LRS reel and a Calstar 6460 rod.

Jerry Pederson of Riverside was third for a 216.2-pound tuna. Jerry fished a sardine on an 8/0 Eagle Claw hook, 100-pound straight-tied Big Game line, a Penn International 30 W reel and a Seeker 6365 XXH rod.

“This crew is great from top to bottom,” Jerry said. “I had a couple of 170-pounders last year. This one is my best ever.”

Honorable Mention went to Dean Ferguson of Scio, OR, who landed a 253.8-pounder on the kite. The Oregon State fan was on his first long range trip.

“I sat on the kite for a couple hours with a squid as bait,” Dean said. “So we brought that in and switched it to two sardines. Within minutes, I was hooked up. I fought for two hours.

“Captain Mike’s a great guy, the crew was excellent. I think I gained ten pounds though, they fed us too much!”

Rocco Salvia had a 202.8-pound tuna and Dave Rock caught a 202.6-pounder.

Lucky, Unknown Angler

“We got some good quality fish,” Skipper Andy Cates said after he docked Red Rooster III and it’s 21 passengers December 20 after a ten-day trip. “We were fishing 60 to 100-pound fish. We had our chances on the big ones and we did a great job.”

Norm Fugimoto of Izorline chartered the trip, which garnered four cows.

“We had a great group of guys,” said Norm at the H&M Landing Certified Scales. “And the fishing was good. We got a couple toads.”

Greg Brooks of Yucaipa landed a 308.8-pound supercow off the kite. The big yellowfin qualified for first place in the jackpot. The kite rig used “Double Trouble” sardines for bait.

“I saw him make a pass on it,” remarked Greg. “And then he hit it hard. I winded as hard as I could and as fast as I could. I was lucky to hook him. He probably pulled 300 yards on his first run.”

Greg used 7/0 Owner ringed circle hooks, 130-pound Izorline, an Accurate 80 reel and a Calstar XXXH rod.

Butch Frazier of Long Beach has been fishing with Second Skipper Julio Ochoa since Julio was 16. On this trip, Julio hooked up a single sardine on the balloon for his friend; the set-up turned into an hour long fight with a 297.6-pound tuna. The big yellowfin placed second in the jackpot.

“It was the most exciting thing I’ve ever done in my life,” exclaimed Butch.

“I also caught a 176-pounder on 80-pound Izorline; I’m proud of that one too.”

“An unknown angler caught this fish,” said Cates weighing the 252.7-pound third place fish.

“He is very unknown and very lucky, and he was playing ‘hooky’ with his job on this trip.

"I’ll stand in for him in the jackpot.”

The Skipper added some long range tips for future anglers. “If you’re so anxious to get a bite, and you switch to lighter gear, you’re not going to catch a big one. That’s the reality of it. If you want to catch big fish, you need to use 130-pound line.”

Stocking Stuffers Christmas Special!

LAST CHANCE!

Anglers tell us our 2008 Sportfishing Calendar makes a perfect Christmas Gift!

We’ve had a few of these great-looking calendars specially shrink-wrapped, so they’ll come to your favorite fisherman pretty and pristine, unmarked by handling.

Here’s the deal—buy three of these beautiful slick calendars, and we’ll throw one in for free! Or buy two Standup Fishing with Bill Roecker DVDs, and we’ll throw one 2008 Calendar for free! Send the anglers you know something that will keep them thinking of you all year, and don’t forget to keep one for your wall.

Offer is good only until January 1, 2008!

By Bill Roecker

The cows came home aboard the Royal Star with skipper Tim Ekstrom and Randy Toussaint. The boat docked at Fisherman's Landing late Tuesday and the fish were offloaded early Wednesday, December 19. There were 27 cows, or tuna over 200 pounds, including a kite-caught 345.9-pounder taken by Roger Nies of San Diego.

“I saw a little boil,” said Roger, “and then I saw his head. He ran like hell and made two long runs. Then he went down up off the bow and we had a half-hour standoff. He came up on the port corner. This is my second trip. My best fish before was a 292-pounder.”

The fight lasted an hour. Nies used a sardine on a 9/0 Eagle Claw hook on the boat’s kite rig. When the fish was gilled and gutted, Star crewmen found a complete set of gill rakers and attached innards inside the super cow.

Bart Ryder won first place for a 297.4-pound tuna, and he also had tuna of 203, 207 and 231 pounds

Steve Kimbrough won second and third places for a 286 and a 258-pounder. He also had tuna of 200, 200, 207, and 213 pounds.

Damon Digregorio got a 247-pounder. Kevin Leong caught a 214 and a 230-pounder. Ross LaRue bagged a 244-pound yellowfin. Don Loucios found a 231 and a 246-pounder. Bill Jones caught a 228-pound tuna. Mike Neal had a 215-pounder. Len Cunningham of Alpine took a 200 and a 209-pounder. Steve MacPherson bagged a 269 and a 294-pound yellowfin. Bob Palatella got a 243-pound sickle finned tuna. Former baseball all-star Jeff Burroughs got a 219-pound tuna.

“Between The Fronts”

Independence docked at Pt. Loma Sportfishing December 19 after the Fisherman’s Hardware 10-day trip with 26 anglers. Mark Pisano skippered the trip and co-owner Paul Strasser assisted as second. There were seven cows in the catch.

“We had better weather this trip,” said Mark, “We went down and came back between the fronts. We got fish every day. We had good action in the mornings, and the bigger fish bit in the afternoons. Most were on sardines, but we got a few on squid with the kite.”

John Arndt of Huntington Beach won first place for a 300.7-pounder that ate his sardine on a 7/0 Eagle Claw hook. He fished with 130-pound Izorline and 130-pound Izor Spectra on an Avet 50 reel and a Calstar 760 H rod.

“I saw the boil,” said Arndt. “He stayed up on the bow most of the fight, but he came up on the portside stern. He fought an hour and 25 minutes.”

Russ Rihel of Long Beach won second place for a 284-pounder. He said he got it with a sardine on a 6/0 Super Mutu hook, 130-pound Izorline and 130-pound Izor Spectra with an Avet 50 reel and a Seeker 6463 XXXXH rod.

William Edmiston of West Sacramento won third place for a 276-pounder. He got his prizewinner with a sardine on a 5/0 Super Mutu hook tied to 100-pound Blackwater fluorocarbon leader, 100-pound P-Line and 100-pound Line One Spectra backing on an Accurate 50 reel and a Seeker 6463 XXXH rod.

“I lost a monster, a fish a lot bigger,” he remarked.

Paul Geurts of Santa Rosa got honorable mention and stood in with the winners for his 272-pounder. He said he got that baby with a sardine on a 6/0 VMC hook on 120-pound P-Line fluorocarbon leader and 130-pound Soft Steel Ultra line with 130-pound Line One Spectra backing on an Accurate 50 reel and a Calstar 6455 XXXH rod.

“The fish stayed on the bow, but he came up on the stern, mid ship,” he said. “It took an hour and five minutes.”

Joe Amistead and Rob Filson teamed up to bag a 243-pounder, after it ate both their sardine baits. The two hooks were side by side in the fish’s mouth.

Steve Alpinieri caught a 222-pounder with a sardine on a 4/0 ringed Super Mutu hoo tied to 100-pound Izorline and 130-ppound Izorline Spectra. He used an Avet 50 reel and a Seeker 6463 XXXH rod.

Modesto Alcala of Fisherman’s Hardware caught a 215-pounder with a sardine on a 3/0 Mutu hook. He said he used 80-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon leader and 80-pound Power Pro Spectra on a Tiagra 16 reel and a Calstar 6465 M rod.

Two fish with archival tags were caught. The tags will be worth $500 each to anglers Dennis Evans of Cedar Park, TX and Rob Filson of Chula Vista.

Tries The ‘Cane

Bruce Smith docked Shogun at Fisherman’s Landing December 19, after a 13-day trip with 23 passengers. Smith took his anglers to the outside, to the Hurricane Bank, where they found very good fishing on 100 to 200-pound tuna. They also appeared to have a good catch of wahoo. There were six tuna over 200 pounds.

David Brewer of Huntington Beach won first place for a 274-pounder, his best fish ever, that battled with him for 45 minutes. He said it bit a sardine on an 8/0 Eagle Claw hook with a ring, tied to 130-pound Izorline and 130-pound Line One Spectra on an Avet 50 reel and a Calstar 7465 H rod.

Kirk Agnitsch of Craig, AK was second, for a 237-pounder. He said it took a sardine on a 7/0 ringed Super Mutu hook. He used 130-pound Seaguar leader and 130-pound Line One Spectra on a Penn 50 reel and a Super Seeker 6463 XXXH rod.

“He almost spooled me on the first run,” said Kirk. “He fought for an hour and a half.”

Gus Angelidis of Roseville won third place for a 208-pound yellowfin. He fished a sardine on a 9/0 Eagle Claw hook, with 130-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon and 130-pound Line One Spectra on a Penn 50 VSX reel and a Calstar 7465 H rod.

Greg Berteaux of Apple Valley was honorable mention, for a 268-pounder that swallowed a squid on the kite. He used a 10/0 Mustad 7691 hook with a 14/0 Mustad circle hook for a stinger, and both hooks lodged in the fish’s mouth, he said. He fished with 130-pound Izorline and 130-pound Izor Spectra on a Penn 70 reel and a Seeker 6463 XXXXH rod.

Jeff Liu of Alameda bagged a 228-pounder on a sardine pinned to a 7/0 ringed Super Mutu hook. He used 100-pound Izorline and 130-pound Tuffline Spectra on an Accurate 50 reel and a Calstar 7465 H rod.

Joe Linkogle of Seal Beach caught a 200-pound tuna on a sardine and an 8/0 ringed Super Mutu hook tied to 130-pound Izorline and 130-pound Spectra, with an Avet 50 reel and a Calstar 7460 H rod.

“Sorry for the delay in the reports guys," reported the Excel December 15, "but we had a problem with our satellite connection for a couple of days. So here's a little recap.

"We arrived here on the beach to find the weather a little less than favorable. We ended up doing a lot of driving around our first day and ended up with a little over a dozen fish ranging from 50-80 pounds. Not the big ones we were hoping for, but nice fish. Our second day out here would end with some of the big boys hitting the deck.

“We were able to find a nice spot of fish that we we drifted on from lunch until dark resulting in 18 fish from 100-290 pounds. Big fish honors went to Dean Ferguson who landed one taped at 250 pounds and Robert Neal with one taping out at 290 pounds.

“Yesterday was another good day of fishing with a lot of action for the guys out here. We found a spot of fish early on that bit well for us in the morning, resulting in a few dozen fish from 60-190 pounds, and later in the day we got on a similar school that bit until dark. We tagged another few dozen fish in that same size class. We will be out here again tomorrow to try our luck. Weather has come down quite a bit.”

Red Rooster III

“Yesterday we drifted most of the day,” wrote Red Rooster III skipper Andy Cates December 15, “after catching a 306-pounder in the morning we figured we should stick with it and see if big fish gets on us. Most of what we caught were 80 to 140-pound fish with just a couple of bigger ones.

"It was a slow pick that never really developed. Mostly small fish bit here again today with a 120-pounder being a big one so far for the day.”

Royal Polaris Report

"Our weather continues to be excellent, with flat seas,” reported the Royal Polaris December 17, “with overcast skies, and humid. We are on day two of our catch and release program. We had excellent fishing again today, with many of the fish in the 70 to 90-pound range. We only kept fish over 100 pounds again.

"Top angler today was Dane Shota. Dane fought this giant for over two hours. His fish taped out at 306 pounds. We had one other fish over 200 pounds; the rest were in the 170 to 190 category.

"With 3 full days left, we are hoping that the giants will show again for us tomorrow.

"We are the only boat left in this area. Everyone else is headed for home.”

Shogun Report

“The Shogun had another successful day fishing large tuna,” said the Shogun report for December 15. “Bruce spotted a bird school at some distance and when we pulled up on the spot there were 200-pounders jumping clear out of the water.

"We hooked several and when the last fish came aboard we continued our search. Today’s fish went into the slammer which we converted into a RSW fresh tank. The big fish were gilled and gutted which insures a quick chill down of the big ones. These last fish will be in prime condition for a Christmas dinner, sashimi and grilled steaks!

“Fishing offshore of Clarion was a challenge, we had to work to locate the fish but they were all respectable size. After a great dinner of calzones and salad we're running for home in calm conditions. There were tough moments but this trip was a great fishing adventure. Today’s photo features Capt. Bruce Smith with Greg Berteaux.”

A Fisherman Passes

On December 17, Bob Hara wrote:

“I understand Matt Salas called you today about the recent passing of our good friend Jason Ariyasu. I would like to thank you in advance for writing about the sad news on your website.

“Jason was a great friend who liked to hang with the boys at Bob's Sporting Goods in WLA and Yo's in Gardena.

"We will all remember the great times we had fishing with Jason on boat like The Fortune, The Endeavor, Pacific Dawn, and The American Angler.

“Here is a picture
of our good friend Jason doing what he loved to do.”

Details of the funeral:

By Paul Sweeney

“We were down there at the right time,” American Angler owner skipper Brian Kiyohara said after unloading 26 passengers at Point Loma Landing December 14. “We had great fishing on 60 to 150-pound tuna; our timing was great. We got the job done in three days.”

Skip Stenbro of Tiburon sponsored the trip, which brought back seven tuna over 200 pounds, including a 326.5-pound yellowfin caught on the kite.

After the crew hooked the kite up to a “double-trouble” bait, Anthony saw a small boil followed by an explosion on his two sardines.

“That’s all I saw of him until he was at gaff,” Anthony Foster of Long Beach said of his 326.5-pound trophy yellowfin. “I didn’t know how big he’d be. I fought him for an hour and a half. Crewman Jesse Kemble was helping me the whole time.”

The boat’s kite rig used 8/0 hooks, 130-pound Izorline, a Penn 50 two-speed reel and a Seeker 6465 XXH rod. “My previous best fish was a 50-pounder. Yeah, this was a trip of a lifetime,” continued Anthony.

Karl Khoe of San Diego took first place in the jackpot for his personal best, a 295-pound yellowfin.

“A real stubborn fish,” said Karl. “It was a real fight; a knock-down, drag-out kind of fight. And the crew kept me out of tangles, I don’t think I would have done it without them.”

Karl fly-lined a sardine with a sinker on an 8/0 Eagle Claw 2004 ringed circle hook, 130-pound Blackwater fluorocarbon, 130-pound Blackwater Spectra, an Avet SDS reel and a Custom Yo’s Special short rod.

On this trip last year, Steve Schneblin of Homeland, CA landed a 327-pound tuna.

This year proved Steve had the lucky stick again, catching a 272-pounder.

“We had a bigger one at gaff that got away. It was heartbreaking,” Steve said laughing. “But this one was tail-wrapped, so it took forever. He went straight out right from the start.”

Steve fished a 7/0 Owner circle hook with 25 feet of 130-pound Seaguar leader and 130-pound Spectra Super-Braid, a Penn VSW 50 W reel, and a custom Calstar rod by Bluewater Tackle in Solana Beach.

“They’ve got the top guys down there, I promote them every chance I get.”

“Brian and the crew hit it just right,” continued Steve, “it was a fantastic trip. They have a Class-A Operation. ‘Taro’ (Crewman Todd Takeuchi) is a jackhammer.”

“You just gotta keep feeding these big fish bait,” said Webmaster Barry Gambarana, of Las Vegas. “Just keep the chum going.

“I handed off a big one caught on a yummee flyer. I let it sit out there, bout a 100 yards out and Boom, it hit it. Justin and Jason from the Excel showed me how to fish with the yummee’s.”

Three 300-Pounders: Intrepid

By Bill Roecker

Tuesday afternoon was a busy time for Intrepid anglers and the crew assisting them.

“We had five or six fish going of 250 pounds or more,” said Buzz Brizendine. Buzz, who owns the Prowler, was aboard the Intrepid as a crewman and valuable advisor on the ten-day trip with 19 anglers. He helped out with several big fish, including the supercow that enticed a crowd to the dock at Pt. Loma Sportfishing when Intrepid arrived December 14.

When the sun went down most of those big yellowfin were on the boat. Skipper Dan Nichols taped them, and the three biggest ones taped at 337, 300 and 381 pounds.

“I taped that big one three times,” said Dan, “and I shaded the measurements.”

Two of the big tuna came in right at their taped estimates, at 300 and 339 pounds. But Bill Falter’s giant fish came in light, at 355 pounds. Falter, a 51-year-old gas station maintenance expert with 15 years in the business, said his best previous tuna was a 65-pounder he got at Guadalupe Island.

“He boiled on my bait,” said Bill, “and he hit it like nobody’s business. He threw big water in all directions. My line straightened out and I set the hook and right away I knew it was a big fish.

“I had the drag set very tight,” continued Falter, “and I pulled on him hard and he came at the boat. Then he went to the bow and took off and came out surfing way out there. I could have water skied behind him.

“I didn’t give him any slack. I kept the drag on hard and stayed on the bow. The fight took an hour. That’s where they gaffed him, but they brought him up through the passenger gate down the side. Dan taped him at 83.5 inches in length and 61 inches in girth.

“I’ve only been fishing long range for a couple of years,” noted Falter. "I’ve done lots of two and three-day trips, and I’ve fished on private boats. I’m hoping somebody will be interested in this one as a mount.”

Falter got his jackpot-winning monster on the boat’s kite gear. The boat’s report said, “…it exploded on a jumbo live squid pinned to a custom double hook leader using an 18/0 Mustad 39960D circle hook and a 12/0 7691 Stinger attached to a 600-pound Soft Steel leader. Backing that up with 200-pound Jerry Brown hollow Spectra on an Avet Pro EXW 50-2 (thanks Harry, you rock) reel and a Seeker 6463 XXXH Black Steel Graphite rod.”

Corey Kong of Torrance won second place for a 339.2-pound yellowfin on a boat rig, after it also ate a squid under the kite.

“He boiled when he took the bait,” said Corey, “and then he ran out 300 yards. He was very stubborn and he fought for an hour. My best fish before this one was a 250-pounder. I want to credit the crew for their excellent help. What will I do with the fish? Cut it and eat him.”

Tom Hoskins of Fullerton won third place for his 300-pound tuna. His previous best was a 280-pounder.

“This one was on a squid and the kite with the boat rig, too,” he said. “He bit, he took off, he came back to the boat and fought me for an hour and a half. We were up on the bow and he took me around the anchor six or eight times.”

There was a large crowd at the landing, including several television crews and reporters. The rest of the fish weren’t available, but angler Scott Redd of Switzerland, who comes back to the states to fish long range, had three cows of 212, 230 and 237 pounds, all caught on sardines. He said he used 7/0 Eagle Claw hooks and 90-pound Momoi leader on 130-pound Line Spectra.

One of Redd’s cows came on a small Accurate 665 “topless two-speed” reel and a Calstar Baby Boomer rod. That fight lasted an hour and 10 minutes, he said.

The other pair were caught with an Avet 30 reel and a Calstar 655 XXH rod.

“We had another great day down here,” read Intrepid’s report for December 10, “on these beautiful Tuna. Along with a steady pick on the 150 to 190-pound fish, we ended up with two at 205, a 210, 212, 243, 245, 246, 273, 300, and a 337.

"We have one more day down here and hope fishing like this continues.”

The next day provided even more excitement: “With today being our last day down here it was absolutely a wonderful way to wrap things up. We drifted again all day and picked away at these brutes ending the day with 12 of the 120 to 190-pound grade and eight from 210 to 260 pounds.

“We also picked up another Tuna today that taped out at 381 pounds. Congrats go to Bill Falter for battling this giant Tuna and as you can imagine Bill is a very excited and happy fisherman. Bill hooked this fish on the kite after it exploded on a jumbo live squid pinned to a custom double hook leader using an 18/0 Mustad 39960D circle hook and a 12/0 7691 Stinger attached to a 130-pound Soft Steel leader. Backing that up with 130-pound Jerry Brown hollow spectra on an AVET PRO EXW 50-2 (thanks, Harry, you rock) and a Seeker 6463 XXXH Black Steel Graphite rod this fish really didn't stand a chance.”

If Bill Falter’s fish comes in at its taped weight, it will go into fourth place on the all-time top ten tuna list, as shown below:


Intrepid will dock at Pt. Loma Sportfishing Friday morning, December 14. A crowd may be expected to view the giant yellowfin at the certified scales there.

Star Whacks Cows

“What a stark contrast between days,” wrote Tim Ekstrom for Royal Star December 11, “as our success ratio on trophy yellowfin was one hundred percent.
"We landed seven out of seven with the biggest today weighing in at two hundred fifty six pounds.

"Calm weather is certainly to blame as the incredible stress on the equipment is distributed smoothly in smooth conditions enabling anglers to utilize their gear to the maximum extent of their ability.

"Overall the day's catching was a little slower than yesterday but the action was still very good by big fish standards with 22 fish from 150 to 256 pounds caught, with a dozen of those under 180 pounds released.”

Too Much Glory

“Hi Bill:

On your Excel trip report, it states that I got a #252 and a 248. I only caught one cow; the 248. Happy Holidays!”
Tim Turis, Atlanta, GA (by email December 12, 2007)

On The Game

“Well its game on here at the Hurricane Bank,” said Shogun’s report for December 10.

“We had a great spaghetti dinner and they are still biting...JIGS! Bruce had the Shogun trolling up a dozen wahoo and then we anchored up on the Northeast corner around 2pm. Momentum slowly built and in the last hour fishing for tuna from 80 to 240 pounds was pretty damn good.

"Fly line sardine, the kite with squid and toward sunset chunk fishing really took off. As I write this there are fish still biting. We hope to double our score tomorrow, as we fine tune techniques. I can hear hoots out on deck, must have boated another one. It’s going to be an interesting night.”

By Bill Roecker

Apollo docked December 9 at Fisherman’s Landing after an eight-day trip with just 11 anglers, who visited Alijos Rocks for some nice tuna fishing with skipper J.J. Gerritsen.

Many large yellowtail were also caught.

The jackpot winner was Don Kirkendall of Eagle Point, OR.

Don took an 88-pound yellowfin tuna on a sardine and a 3/0 Mustad hook tied to 40-pound Izorline.

He used an Avet LX reel and a Calstar 700 M rod.

“Like A Mother”

Jeff DeBuys brought Independence home to Point Loma Sportfishing on December 9, after a 15-day trip with 26 anglers. The Save-On Tackle trip fished inside and outside, as far out as the Hurricane Bank.

“It was an epic trip,” summed up DeBuys, who tallied 19 cows, or tuna over 200 pounds.

“Hello from the tired Indy crew,” he wrote December 1 at the Hurricane Bank. “We had a spectacular day today here at the bank. We arrived at 0900 and got situated in no time, and immediately started getting fish. We were steady all day long on these beautiful grade tuna, 130 lb. to 190 lb. and 3 over 200 to 240 lbs. We ended the day with 70 fish for our efforts. Everything was the hot ticket today, sardine, mackerel, chunk, squid, and good kite action till dark. The weather is really good, and we hope it stays that way for a while.”

When Jeff weighed his catch, the big fish weighed 311 pounds. It was caught by Alex Kastaniuk of La Habra Heights, who also got a 207.6-pounder.

“He fought like a mother,” said Alex. “There were times I thought I’d definitely die. He got wrapped up with other anglers four times, and he took me around the boat for an hour and a half. My best fish before was a 190-pounder. I think I’ll have him cut and wrapped.”

Alex said he fished a sardine on a 7/0 ringed Super Mutu hook. He used 130-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon leader, 130-pound Izorline and 130-pound Izor Spectra backing on a Penn 50 SW reel and a Shimano six-foot rod.

Gary Ondrisco of Shelley, ID won second place for a 286-pounder that fell for a sardine on a 5/0 ringed Super Mutu on 100-pound Seaguar, 100-pound Izorline and 130-pound Izorline Spectra backing g on a Penn 50 reel and a Shimano Talus rod he won on the boat.

“He fought up high, “ said Gary. “He never sounded and he fought way out for two and a half hours.” Gary also got a 202-pounder.

Chartermaster David Taylor of Downey won third place for a 265-pound tuna. He said he bagged that baby in 15 minutes, after it ate his sardine on a 9/0 Eagle Claw hook. He used 130-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon, 130-pound Izorline Spectra, an Avet 50 reel and a Calstar 760 H rod. He also had a 207-pounder.

Bob Buckland of Simi Valley took tuna of 239 and 226 pounds. He fished squid under the kite with the boat’s rig.

Ron Baron of La Crescenta took an hour to beat a 226-pounder. He also got a 222 and a 208-pound tuna. He said he fished sardines on 5/0 ringed Super Mutu hooks, with 100-pound Izorline and 130-pound Izor Spectra on an Avet 50 reel and a Seeker 6465 XXH rod.

Terry Prather of Dallas, TX got a 236-pounder in 45 minutes. He said he fished a sardine on a 9/0 ringed Super Mutu hook, with 130-pound Izorline and 130-pound izor Spectra on an Avet 50 reel and a Truline six-foot rod.

Fernando Rocha of Whittier caught cows of 221 and 214 pounds. He said he fished sardines on 7/0 Mustad hooks, with 100-pound Izorline and 130-pound Izor Spectra on an Avet 50 SDS reel and a Calstar 760 H rod. The bigger fish fought for 45 minutes.

Chuck Woyce of Monterey bagged a 210-pounder with a sardine on a 5/0 ringed Super Mutu an d 100-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon tied to 100-pound Izorline on a boat rig.

Clarence Becker of Victorville caught a 209-pounder on a sardine and an Eagle Claw 8/0 hook, tied to 100-pound Ande line and 130-pound Izorline Spectra on an Avet 30 reel and a Calstar 645 rod.

Don Farrell of Laguna Niguel got a 205-pounder on a sardine and a 5/0 ringed Super Mutu on 80-pound Soft Steel Ultra line and 130-pound Izorline Spectra on a Tiagra 30 reel and a Calstar 6460 XXH rod.

“Very Long Run”

Justin Fleck docked the Excel December 9 after a 16-day Braid trip with 20 anglers. They got 11 cows.

“Today we had a very productive day on tuna out here on these lower banks,” he wrote December 5. “We had beautiful weather which helped in finding the bird schools that these fish are on, and nearly every spot of fish resulted in a hook up. We ended up tagging 45 fish ranging from 50 to 260 pounds, with the average size being 150 to 180. Highlight of the day was Warren "Bergie" Bergman who landed the last fish right after dark, which taped out at 260 pounds.”

Chartermaster Dennis Braid was aboard with his rep Jan Howard. Dennis said he released seven tuna over 100 pounds, the winner of the release contest was Tom Carlisle of Long Beach, who won a $200 gift certificate for releasing nine tuna.

Chris Forster of Valencia won first place, for a 283-pound tuna he brought to gaff in 45 minutes.

“He made a very long run,” said Chris. “He almost spooled me.”

Chris said he fished a sardine on a 7/0 Super Mutu hook tied to 100-pound Big Game line and 130-pound Line One Spectra on a Penn 30 SW reel and a Calstar 6465 XXH rod.

Warren Bergman of Mira Loma won second place for a 280-pounder. He took it with a mackerel on a 9/0 Mustad hook, with 130-pound Big Game line and 130-pound Line One Spectra on a Penn 50 SW reel and a Calstar 655 XXH rod. The fish fought for an hour and a half.

Ken Cirks, an Excel regular from Orange, won third place for a 262-pound tuna with the aid of a helium balloon and a skiff ride of an hour and a half. Ken said he used a sardine on a 12/0 Mustad 39960 hook tied to 125-pound Big Game line and 130-pound Izorline Spectra on a Penn 50 T reel and a cut down Calstar 655 XXH rod. Ken posed with his two sons. Korey is nine, Koldey is four.

Tim Turis of Atlanta got a 248 pound tuna. Tim used a squid under the kite for bait. He used 20/0 Mustad 39960 hooks, 130-pound Momoi line and 130-pound Line One Spectra on a Penn 80 S reel by Cal Sheets and a Calstar Baby Boomer rod.

Andy Marcum of Oceanside caught a 235-pounder in 45 minutes. He fished a double sardine rig under the kite, with 10/0 Mustad 7691 hooks. He used 125-pound Big Game line and 130-pound Line One Spectra on a Penn 80 N reel and a Calstar 755 XXH rod.

Jan Howard of Mission Viejo took tuna of 223 and 210 pounds with sardines on a 10/0 Eagle Claw hooks. She fished with 130-pound Berkley High Test line and 130-pound Berkley Spectra on a Penn 50 SW reel by Cal Sheets and a Calstar 6455 XXH rod she cut down herself.

Gordon Seward of Parma, NV bagged a 216-pounder. Michael Stiny of Goleta caught a 210-pound yellowfin. Mike Lovelle of Boulder City, NV took a 203-pounder.

“They Wanted Trophies”

Andy Cates bought Red Rooster III home to H&M Landing December 9 after the 17-day Rod & Reel Radio charter with 17 anglers. Like the other two boats that arrived just before the Rooster, Cates had opportunity to fish both inside and outside, but chose to stay off southern Baja for his anglers.

“They wanted trophies, they said,” remarked Cates. “And it looked like the 300-pounders might be inside.”

On December 5, Cates wrote, “Our last day here and this morning is showing better sign with a 206 and 216 and a few 100 plus pound fish to go with. We are hoping for a big day here to finish off with. Yesterday we had action on smaller fish in the morning and then later a handful of fish in the high hundreds up to 199 and a whopper of 337 caught by Bud Mauerhaun. Bud has had a great trip with a 273, 270 and now this 337 after a long skiff ride. Not bad for 81 years old. Congratulations Bud.”

The trip ended with 20 tuna over 200 pounds, including a pair over 300 pounds.

“I’m 83 years old,” Bud Mauerhan, “and this 339.6-pounder is my best fish ever. The best one before this was 256 pounds. I had to go in the skiff for a two-hour ride.”

The ride paid off with the big first-place tuna and two others that weighed 269 and 251 pounds. He said he used mackerel for bait on 6/0 ringed Super Mutu hooks. He fished with 130-pound Izorline and 130-pound Line One Spectra on a Penn 50 W reel and a Seeker 6460 XXH rod wrapped by Smitty G.

Archie Irions of Escondido won second place for the other super cow, a 318.9-pounder. He also got a 219.5-pounder on a dart, a Mega Bait jig, with an Accurate 12 reel.

But Irions’ big fish bit on a sardine pinned to a 5/0 Super Mutu ringed hook. He said he used 100-pound Blackwater fluorocarbon leader, 100-pound Momoi line, and 130-pound Line One Spectra on an Accurate 30 topless reel and a Seeker five and a half-foot Black Steel rod.

“It took an hour and a half, “ said Archie. “He’s my best fish ever. He bit 40 feet under the boat, and ran out 450 yards. He came up on the stern corner and they put four gaffs in him.”

Bill Walsh of Chino Hills used 45 minutes to bring in a 278-pounder, the fish that won third place. He also got a 207-pound tuna. The big one bit on a sardine and a 6/0 VMC hook. Walsh used 130-pound fluorocarbon, and 130-pound Line One Spectra on a Penn 50 VSW reel and a Baja Boomer rod.

Gerhard Ihde of Malibu took a 276.5 and a 201-pounder. He said he fished a sardine on a 5/0 ringed Super Mutu hook tied to 130-pound Izorline and 130-pound Izor Spectra on a Penn 50 W reel and a Calstar 760 H rod.

Michael Zakar of San Diego took a 267-pound tuna with a sardine on a 7/0 ringed Super Mutu hook with 130-pound Izorline and 130-pound Izor Spectra on a Penn 80 reel and a Calstar 6460 XH rod.

Mike Yamamoto of Hemet caught tuna of 218 and 205 pounds. He fished sardines on 5/0 ringed Super Mutu hooks, and used 100-pound Jin Kai line and 130-pound Spectra on a Penn 50 W reel and a Calstar 6455 XXH rod. The big fish came to the boat in 45 minutes, he said.

Bill Mauerhan (Bud’s son) of Fairfield bagged a 226-pounder with a sardine on a 5/0 ringed Super Mutu hook. He used 130-pound Izorline and 130-pound Spectra on a Tiagra 50 W reel and a Calstar 6455 XXH rod.

Steve Branscombe of Westminster caught a 217-pounder with a sardine on a 6/0 ringed Super Mutu hook, 130-pound blue Izorline and 130-pound Izor Spectra. He used an Avet 50 reel and a Calstar 765 H rod.

John Keeler of Santa Monica made off with a brace that went 225 and 213 pounds. He fished sardines on 9/0 Eagle Claw hooks. He said he used 130-pound P-Line and 130-pound Spectra on an Avet 50 W reel and a Super Seeker 6463 XXXXH rod.

Larry Martin of Dayton, NV caught a 215-pounder with a mackerel on a 4/0 ringed Super Mutu hook. He said he used 130-pound Blackwater fluorocarbon leader and 130-pound Line One Spectra on an Accurate 50 W reel and a Seeker 6460 XXH rod.

Gary Branscombe of Garden Grove needed only a half-hour to bag a 213-pounder with a sardine on a 6/0 ringed Super Mutu hook. He used 130-pound blue Izorline and 130-pound Izor Spectra on an Avet 50 reel and a Seeker 6463 XXXXH rod.

Jim Kokesh of El Granada copped a 213-pounder in 45 minutes, after it bit on a mackerel and a 9/0 Super Mutu hook. He used 130-pound Blackwater fluorocarbon and 130-pound Line One Spectra on a Penn 80 reel and a Calstar 6455 XXH rod.

Ben Kita of LA got a 210-pounder on a sardine and a 4/0 ringed Super Mutu hook tied to 130-pound Izorline and 130-pound Izor Spectra on a Penn 70 VSW reel and a Calstar 6455 XXH rod.

By Bill Roecker

Dave Edgar of San Jose was fishing with skipper Roy Rose aboard the Royal Polaris on the Bill & Steve’s Open trip with 27 anglers when it happened.

“I was flylining on the best morning of fishing,” remembered Edgar at Fisherman’s Landing December 8. “The weather was down and I was halfway up the port side with a sardine out there about 100 yards up swell. I knew I was going to get bit, because I had a hot bait and he kept going and going.

“I saw a deep boil when the tuna bit. I put the reel in gear and then I was pinned to the rail. The fish ran out, way out, and got most of my line. Then he went down.

"There was a lot of give and take. Mostly, I was giving. He was hard to move, but I got him about an hour and a half later. I think I’ll have a mount made by Lyons & O’Haver.”

Dave Edgar’s tuna weighed 299.3 pounds on two certified scales. He pinned his sardine to a 6/0 Super Mutu hook, 100-pound Blackwater fluorocarbon leader and 135-pound Spectra. He said he used an Accurate 50 reel and a Seeker 6460 XXH rod.

Perry Ishibashi of Torrance won second place for a 198-pound tuna, and Steve Tsujiuchi of Rosemead won third place for his 193-pound yellowfin tuna.

"Good morning folks," reported Red Rooster III Skipper Andy Cates December 5.

"Our last day here and this morning is showing better sign with a 206 and 216 and a few 100 plus pound fish to go with. We are hoping for a big day here to finish off with.

"Yesterday we had action on smaller fish in the morning and then later a handful of fish in the high hundreds up to 199 and a whopper of 337 caught by Bud Mauerhaun. Bud has had a great trip with a 273, 270 and now this 337 after a long skiff ride. Not bad for 81 years old. Congratulations Bud.

"Nice weather today and hoping to finish off with a bang."

Chasing Bird Schools

"Today we had a very productive day on tuna out here on these lower banks," reported Excel Skipper Justin Fleck December 5.

"We had beautiful weather which helped in finding the bird schools that these fish are on, and nearly every spot of fish resulted in a hook up. We ended up tagging 45 fish ranging from 50 to 260-pounds, with the averge size being 150 to 180-pounds.

"Highlight of the day was Warren "Bergie" Bergman who landed the last fish right after dark, which taped out at 260-pounds. Way to go Bergie! We have one more day down here before we have to call it a trip and start heading for home."

The Real Deal

Royal Polaris reported December 5: "Our weather continues to be just wonderful. With flat seas, clear skies, and warm days, what more could you ask for. Well I tell you one thing, the weather is not the only thing that is heating up!!

"Our fishing today was just OUTSTANDING!! That's right, we had an excellent day on Yellowfin tuna. Most of the fish our in the 120 to 150 range, with a few in the 180 to 190 range and one over 250. We had one stop shopping today. We stopped the boat, and never started up again until it was time to leave for home. This is the real deal, as Roy Rose says.

"It was only a matter of time, and we hit it right. Largest fish today was caught by Dave Edgar of the Bay Area, with a 270-pound giant. It was caught on 100-pound Blackwater fluorocarbon leader. Dave's largest fish before this trip was an 62-pound Yellowfin tuna. Way to go Dave. We had many other anglers with their personnel best this trip. This has been a great trip, and the crew looks forward to coming back down next trip."

Stocking Stuffers Christmas Special!

Anglers tell us our 2008 Sportfishing Calendar makes a perfect Christmas Gift!

We’ve had a few of these great-looking calendars specially shrink-wrapped, so they’ll come to your favorite fisherman pretty and pristine, unmarked by handling.

Here’s the deal—buy three of these beautiful slick calendars, and we’ll throw one in for free! Or buy two Standup Fishing with Bill Roecker DVDs, and we’ll throw one 2008 Calendar for free! Send the anglers you know something that will keep them thinking of you all year, and don’t forget to keep one for your wall.

Offer is good only until January 1, 2008!

By Bill Roecker

The Seeker Rods/Soft Steel 13-day trip aboard Shogun with skipper Norm Kagawa ended December 6 when the boat arrived at Fisherman’s Landing with five cows and a good catch of smaller tuna. The best fish wasn’t in the jackpot. Peter Gutierrez of Monrovia hooked his 254-pound whopper on a sardine under a balloon just after dark on the last day of fishing.

“The captain was saying we had to leave and we should reel in,” said Gutierrez. “So I started to reel, and it came tight and there he was. It was way after dark when I got him in an hour and 20 minutes later.”

The big tuna ate a sardine on an Eagle Claw 8/0 hook. The rest of the gear was 130-pound Big Game line and 130-pound Izorline Spectra on a Cal Sheets-treated Penn 50 reel and a Seeker 6463 XXXXH rod.

Peter won the Seeker Trophy for his fish, even though he wasn’t entered in the jackpot. The trophy was presented by Seeker president Joe Pfister, who is back up and working after a bout with chemotherapy. Joe said he now has a clean bill of health, though he lost weight.

Stan Greco of Simi Valley won first place for a 235-pound tuna. He bagged that fish with a sardine on an 8/0 rionged Super Mutu hook,, 100-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon leader and 130-pound Line One Spectra, on an Avet 502 reel and a Calstar 7460 M rod.

Jake Ehret, a Marine from Jacksonville, FL won second place, for a 230-pound tuna. He also got his fish after dark, but he pulled it in after only 15 minutes. Jake said he used a sardine on a 7/0 Eagle Claw hook, with 130-pound Izorline and 130-pound Line One Spectra on an Avet 50 reel and a Calstar 760 H rod.

“It’s my first trip,” said Jake, “and my first big fish.”

Pat Doyle had the fish of the year in the 2006-07 season, a 323-pounder also caught on Shogun. This trip Doyle had to settle for third place, for his 211-pounder. He said he got it with a sardine on a 7/0 ringed Super Mutu hook, 125-pound Soft Steel Ultra line and 130-pound Izorline Spectra on a Penn 50 VSW reel and a Seeker 6455 XXH rod, home-wrapped by his wife.

The cow catch was filled out by a pair of 210-pounders. The first was caught by Jeff Stephens of Anaheim, on a sardine and a 6/0 ringed Super Mutu hook. He used 130-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon leader and 130-pound Line One Spectra on an Avet 50 SDS reel and a Seeker 6463 XXH rod.

The second 210-pounder was taken by Laurens Rhinelander of San Diego, with a sardine on a ringed 8/0 Eagle Claw hook and 130-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon leader and 130-pound Blackwater Spectra. He used an Avet 50 SDS reel and a Calstar 7460 H rod.

Stocking Stuffers Christmas Special!

Anglers tell us our 2008 Sportfishing Calendar makes a perfect Christmas Gift!

We’ve had a few of these great-looking calendars specially shrink-wrapped, so they’ll come to your favorite fisherman pretty and pristine, unmarked by handling.

Here’s the deal—buy three of these beautiful slick calendars, and we’ll throw one in for free! Or buy two Standup Fishing with Bill Roecker DVDs, and we’ll throw one 2008 Calendar for free! Send the anglers you know something that will keep them thinking of you all year, and don’t forget to keep one for your wall.

Offer is good only until January 1, 2008!

By Bill Roecker

The tenth annual George Davis trip aboard the Polaris Supreme arrived at Fisherman’s Landing December 5, after spending ten days in southern waters with a super ultra-light load of seven anglers, including chartermaster Davis. There were five tuna over 200 pounds in the catch. One fish was well over 300 pounds.

The big fish came in at 347.8 pounds, caught by Kevin Stokes, who is studying video making and cinematography, working on his B. A. in digital video at Mt. Sierra College in Monrovia. The giant yellowfin bit a sardine on a 6/0 Mustad 7691 hook tied to 100-pound P-Line and 130-pound Spectra on one of the boat’s rigs: a Tiagra 50 reel and a Calstar 6460 XXH rod. It fought for 35 minutes.

“He didn’t fight too hard,” said Stokes. He just laid there like a big cow. I almost lost him at the end, because his circles went all the way across the stern. They got him with four gaffs and lifted him over the rail.

“My best tuna before this one was 180 pounds. It fought harder. I may have this one mounted. Next, I’ve got to go back to work and to school.”

Stokes said he does freelance work in video.

Eleven-year-old Gunnar Johnston outscored the men by taking two cows; two yellowfin over 200 pounds. One of his fish weighed 217.8 pounds and won second place. The other went 209 pounds. Gunnar goes to Marinotha Christian Academy, and races motocross. His dad Craig Johnston is a construction manager in Orange County and was close by when Gunnar hooked his big cow.

“I was up the rail,” said Craig, “and I saw him get bent, and I shouted, ‘don’t let go of that rig,’ and I saw him pull back harder.”

Gunnar got the fish to gaff in 45 minutes, after it bit a sardine on a 6/0 Super Mutu hook on 130-pound Izorline fluorocarbon leader tied to 100-pound Momoi line and 130-pound Line One Spectra. He used an Avet 50 reel and a Calstar 6455 XXH rod.

“It’s my first long range trip,” said Gunnar.

“It’s fun, hooking up and catching these big fish.

Craig Johnston said his son had been on one and two-day trips before, but this was his first long range venture.

“My best fish before was a 30-pound albacore or a dorado,” said Gunnar.

“I want to do it again.”

His dad felt the same way.

“He was bit hard at first,” said Craig, “but he did his work in the corner.”

Charlie Middleton of San Pablo took a 213-pounder and won third place. He said it bit a sardine on an 8/0 Gamakatsu hook tied to 100-pound Soft Steel Ultra line and 130-pound Power Pro Spectra on a Penn 80 SW reel and a five and a half-foot Ugly Stick rod. The fight lasted 20 minutes.

“The best fishing was during the squalls,” said Charlie.

“That’s when I hooked this one. He took me around the boat twice. There was a lot of 18-inch squid around.”

Jim Jacobs of Murietta had never been fishing before. “I didn’t know how to hold the pole,” he said.

Jacobs got a 202.6-pound tuna after a 40-minute scrap. It bit a sardine on an 8/0 Mustad 7691 hook, also on one of the boat’s rigs.

“My first trip,” said Jacobs, “and my first fish.”

By Paul Sweeney

Seventeen passengers aboard Intrepid arrived at Point Loma Sportfishing December 4 with skipper Danny Nichols, after a ten-day open-party trip to the Southern Banks and Alijos Rocks. “The weather was nice,” said Nichols, “but we got a day of rain down south.”

Larry Brown, of Playa Del Ray caught the two best fish, a 157.8 and 139-pound yellowfin. “Danny saw metering fish on the sonar, so I used a sinker with a rubber-band and within minutes, I was bit.”

Larry fished a 9/0 Mustad 2005 hook on 80-pound P-Line with a three-foot Izorline Fluorocarbon top shot, an Avet HX reel on a Hastings Challenger URC55 XH X-Mega rod. “It’s a new series with new technology,” Larry remarked about the recently introduced rod. “It’s just been released on the market.”

Buzz Brizendine, owner-skipper of the Prowler, is helping out the Intrepid as a crewman. His son Ryan, who works at Fisherman’s Landing Tackle Shop, was aboard as an angler.

“I love the boat,” said Ryan, who landed his biggest yellowtail ever; a 45.6-pound Alijos mossback. “It has every amenity that you’d ever need, and Danny’s a great Captain.”

Ryan took 15-minutes to fight the yellowtail after it bit a fly-lined sardine on a 4/0 Mustad 94150 J hook, 50-pound Izorline Topshot with Izorline Spectra, a Penn 12T reel modified by Cal’s 2-speed, and a Calstar Grafighter 700H rod.

“Ryan’s fun to fish with,” continued Larry. “He’s a good angler, but it’s easy when you start out young with good instruction.

“I came out for the big fish, but Danny finally decided that they weren’t co-operating and we should go have some fun. He took us up the line and we fished yellowtail. All of the passengers loved it.

“I’m doing two chartered trips on the boat next year. One will be with 976-Tuna and the other will be with SportfishingReport.com.”

Xavier Lopez of Riverside was second for a 71-pound tuna, and Vern Roberts of Naturita, CO was third with a 67-pound yellowfin.

“This was my first long range trip,” said Xavier. “They took real good care of us.”

Trio Rocks Cow

“It was good fishing on quality fish,” Owner-Skipper Sam Patella said after he returned American Angler to Point Loma Sportfishing December 4 after traveling to the Southern Banks. “You should be booking trips now.”

Twenty-six anglers aboard the Bob’s Sporting Goods charter finished with six tuna over 200-pounds; including a 294-pound “community fish.”

John Liu of Los Angeles hooked the big bruiser, quickly handed off to Liwei Liao, who fought for the majority of the fight before giving it to Jay Maeda who finished it. All three represented Bob’s Sporting Goods on the trip.

The trio used an Owner offshore hook, 130-pound Blackwater Fluorocarbon, an Accurate 50 reel, and a Calstar 6460 XX H rod.

Jim Hall of Poway, who caught a 212-pounder on the last day fishing, witnessed most of the 294-pound yellowfin’s fight. “It was just a devil-fish,” said Jim. “Once it got dark, it got real squirrelly.

“We had some good sticks on this trip, a lot of good anglers.”

Russ Kimura of Sacramento took first place in the jackpot with a 260-pound tuna that bit a fly-lined sardine on a 4/0 owner hook, 80-pound Izorline, a Penn 50 International reel, and a Calstar rod custom-wrapped by Yo’s in Gardena.

“The trip was great,” said Russ. “And the fishing was just awesome.”

John Wilson placed second with a 232-pound tuna but was not present for the jackpot photo. Joe Rubio stood in for him.

Ed Quinten of Carlsbad took third with a 215-pound yellowfin.

Jim Beck of Huntington Beach had a 211-pounder that “pulled pretty good.”

By Bill Roecker

Qualifier 105 skipper Eric Weldele wrote on November 30: “The boat sure got a nice fresh water rinse today. When I got up this morning it was raining pretty good and it basically rained on and off throughout the day. But that did not stop us from fishing. Today was by far our best day of fishing. First thing this morning we got on a spot of fish that ranged from 60 to just over 200 pounds. After getting some of those we got on another spot right away and spent the rest of the day drifting on the same spot. It sure was nice not to have to move the boat from sometime before 7:00 am until somewhere around 6:30 at night.

“For our efforts we managed to catch fish that ranged in the 50 to 200-pound range. It was an absolutely beautiful day, aside from the rain. We had some heart breakers again today. There was one standout fish that the hook pulled out on, just inches from the gaff. It was by far bigger than any of the other 200-pounders that we had already captured on the stop. In a way it was slightly disappointing, but that's just the way it is, there was nothing more we could possibly do. We had already had a wonderful morning and that is just part of fishing for big fish. Things are going to happen and some fish are going to get away.

“We ended our trip with one final fish that taped out at over 200 pounds and are currently en route for San Diego. We have a long travel ahead of us and are looking forward to the rest and relaxation of traveling home. Everybody aboard the boat has had a wonderful trip and there are many personal bests currently on their way home.”

At the Pt. Loma Sportfishing dock December 3 Weldele offloaded his 28 anglers aboard the ten-day Baker Reels-Performance Tackle charter and weighed the best of the catch. There were six tuna over 200 pounds.

Joseph (“Loreto Joe”) Chinovsky of Culver City got the best tuna, a 227-pounder, using friend Harvey “The Hook” Segal’s rig: a sardine on a 9/0 Eagle Claw hook, with 130-pound Big Game leader, 130-pound Jin Kai line on a Baker-modified Penn 50 reel and a Seeker 6463 XXXH rod. He said the fish fought for 45 minutes.

Don Sullivan won second and third places for tuna of 219 and 210 pounds. He used a sardine on a 7/0 Eagle Claw hook, 130-pound Big Game line and 130-pound Blackwater Spectra on a Tiagra 50 W reel and a Calstar 7460 XH rod wrapped by Jim Trelickes.

“These are my first two cows,” said Sullivan. “The first one boiled up on my bait at the bow, ten feet away. He came up quick. The second one took an hour.

“You know, I bought your book Fresh One several years ago,” continued Sullivan, “and the first thing that happened was I tried a whole squid on a jig like you suggested, and got a huge white seabass. I bought my ticket for this trip through The Friends of Rollo, the way I buy all my tickets.”

Curtis Owens of Performance Tackle took a 217-pound yellowfin tuna.

Frank Knebel of Phoenix got a 203.8-pounder in 45 minutes. He used a sardine on an 8/0 Eagle Claw hook, 130-pound big Game line and Spectra, a Penn 50 reel and a Calstar 6460 XXH rod.

Jeremy Jorda of Long Beach got a 200.8-pounder, with a sardine on a 5/0 ringed Super Mutu hook, 130-pound Seaguar leader and 100-pound Izorline on a TLD 30 reel and a Calstar 700 XH rod.

Big Fish Or Bust

Vagabond returned to Point Loma Sportfishing under owner-skipper Mike Lackey’s hand on December 3, after a ten-day trip with 18 anglers. Three fish were over 200 pounds.

“Awesome fishing,” was Lackey’s comment.

Dan Cash of San Diego had the best fish, a 257-pounder that took a sardine on a 9/0 Eagle Claw hook. “I credit the crew,” he said. He used 100-pound Ande line and 130-pound Spectra backing on a Penn 50 SW reel and a home-wrapped Calstar 6455 XH rod. The fish fought for an hour.

Rick Hobbs of Santa Cruz won second place for his 233-pounder, after it beat him up for an hour and a half. He said he fished with a sardine on a 7/0 Eagle Claw hook, with 100-pound Big Game line and 130-pound Iorline Spectra backing on n Avet 50 reel and a Calstar 6455 XXH rod.

“He stayed close,” said Hobbs. “He kept charging the boat.”

Chris Cruger of Encinitas took 25 minutes to whip a 220.4-pounder. The third-place fish took his sardine on an 8/0 Eagle Claw hook tied to 100-pound Izorline and 80-pound Line One Spectra on a Baker-modified Penn 30 reel and a Calstar 6455 XXH rod.

Tagged & Released

Royal Star arrived at Fisherman ‘s Landing with a very good catch of cows on December 3. Summing up his last day of fishing on November 30, skipper Tim Ekstrom wrote: “At daylight we were actually fifteen miles from where it happened, maintaining the ever important spread between boats that enables us to collectively cover such tremendous amounts of area. One (radio) call just after daylight and we were flying towards the zone that ended up being at its best for only about five or six hours. Had we not received the call, or not had access to the information, it likely would have been a very different day.

“It wasn't though. We made the move, got right in the game, and began what was to become an epic day of action on giant yellowfin with five big bruisers over two twenty five, and about 25 others from 140 to 195 pounds. Throw in a handful of other "smaller" seventy to one twenties and it made for a fitting, Ekstrom-trademark, ninth inning spectacular finish to our trip. Probably as good as the action itself was the fantastic change of pace as our entire day consisted of two prolonged drifts that enabled every angler to spend all the time he/she wished at the rail fishing as opposed to the "run and gun" style fishing we had been practicing the previous two days. The ability to settle in, watch the dramatic spectacle of huge yellowfin plowing through baits all around the boat, and enjoy the whole picture free of the sometimes frantic pace of offshore tuna fishing is a coveted opportunity. Not that we don't enjoy or appreciate wide-open action. A good mix of both styles on any voyage is simply ideal.

“That said, we had our fill of drift style action yesterday that again proved the statement I made a couple of days prior about the law of averages applying to every mortal out here. I'd love to tell you that we found the secret method, or had an extra edge to oust our competitors, or were the best because of some secret technology we possess, but I can't. Yes we put ourselves in the right place at the right time. Yes we managed our bait supply to take full advantage of such an opportunity if and when it came along. Yes the local knowledge we have acquired from fishing this area extensively during the past five seasons was a huge factor in the equation. But, a disproportionate share of good luck is what made the biggest difference between our incredible score and an average score today. Not that we didn't earn it. We, or more appropriately I, have taken some lumps down here during the past couple of voyages so perhaps today's success was more about justice than luck. I'll let you all decide. Either way we will take it.”

There were ten tuna over 200 pounds. His best-ever tuna, a 280-pounder, won first place for Bruce Kelly of Lemon Grove. He said he got it with a sardine on a 9/0 Eagle Claw ringed hook. He used Sato crimps (as did everyone on the boat who got a big fish, according to maker-distributor Gary Sato) on 130-pound Izorline and 130-pound Power Pro Spectra backing on a Penn 50 SW reel and a Seeker 6463 XXXH rod.

Jim Kirkpatrick of Tempe got as 259-pounder for second place. It bit a sardine on a 9/0 Eagle Claw hook. He used 130-pouund pink Yo-Zuri line and 130-pound Line One Spectra on a Penn 50 reel and a Calstar 6460 XH rod.

Todd Burkdoll of Visalia won third place for a 244.9-pounder. He bagged that fish with a sardine on a 7/0 Eagle Claw hook, tied to 100-pound Triple Fish line and 130-pound Line One Spectra, on an Avet 50 SDS reel and a Calstar 760 H rod. The fish fought for an hour.

“He wanted to stay alive, “ said Burkdoll. “He fought like he wanted to kick my butt.”

Frank Matsuhara of Gardena got a 251-pounder with a sardine on a 9/0 Eagle Claw hook. He used 130-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon leader and 130-pound Line One Spectra on an Avet 50 reel and a Calstar 760 H rod.

Kurt Schaefer, scientist at the Inter American Tropical Tuna Commission, said he and his helper tagged and released about 100 fish, including 35 tuna from 10 to 100 pounds that were tagged with geo-locating archival tags. Schaefer got his personal best tuna on the trip as well, a 251-pounder. He said he used a sardine, a 9/0 Eagle Claw hook, 130-pound Izorline and 130-pound Blackwater Spectra on a Tiagra 50 reel and a Shimano six and a half-foot rod.

Skip Howard of Visalia took a 221-pound tuna with a sardine on a 9/0 Eagle Claw hook, 130-pound Izorline and 130-pound Line One Spectra on an Avet 50 reel and a Calstar 6455 XH rod.

Doug MacBlane of Redwood City caught a 210-pounder with a sardine on a 9/0 Eagle Claw hook tied to 130-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon leader and 130-pound Line One Spectra. He used a Daiwa SLT 50 W reel and a Calstar 760 H rod.

“It took and hour and a half,” said MacBlane. “I tried my best.”

Biggest So Far?

"Real good fishing today in the morning on 70 to 125-pound tuna," reported Polaris Supreme Owner-Skipper Tommy Rothery November 29.

"The afternoon seemed like it was going to be slow, but low and behold late in the day, we got what we think is the biggest cow of the season so far.

"It taped out at 364-pounds. We'll see what the scales say."

"Everybody is just ecstatic."