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 tuna of 252 and 248 pounds. 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.