American Angler, skippered by Sam Patella, docked at Pt. Loma Sportfishing November 11 after an eleven-day trip that visited the Hurricane Bank. The boat only fished a day and a half there, but that was long enough to jug the wells with tuna. On the return trip, Alijos Rocks and Cedros Island were visited for yellowtail on the Angler's Choice open, which had 21 anglers.

"We were lucky," said Patella at the scales. "Our timing was perfect."

Six yellowfin tuna over 200 pounds were put aboard at the Hurricane. Jim Bostian of San Diego won first place for a 225-pounder.

"It was a typical cow," he said. "First, it ran 100 yards, then it turned sideways and took me around the boat twice, then it went into deep circles."

Bostian said he used a sardine on a 9/0 Eagle Claw hook, 100-pound P-Line and 130-pound Spectra backing, a Tiagra 50 reel and a Calstar 755 XH rod to take his winning fish.

Joey Jacoby of Carlsbad won second place for a 208.5-pounder. He got it with a sardine on as 6/0 Gorilla hook, 130-pound Soft Steel Ultra line and 130-pound Spectra, an Accurate 50 reel and a Calstar 7465 H rod.

Darrin Seiji of Vallejo won third place for a 203-pound tuna. He took it with a sardine on a 5/0 Super Mutu hook, 130-pound Jin Kai line and 130-pound Specta backing on a Penn 50 W reel and an unknown rod.

Luc Offield, Angler's Choice owner, earned honorable mention for his 217-pound tuna. He said he bagged it with a sardine on an Eagle Claw 9/0 hook. He used 100-pound P-Line and 130-pound Spectra backing on a Tiagra 50 reel and a 7675 H rod.

Bill Rensberger of San Diego got a 208-pound tuna. He fished it up with a sardine on a 9/0 Eagle Claw hook, 130-pound P-Line and 130-pound Spectra backing on a Tiagra 50 W reel and a Shimano rod.

Hugh Estes of Seal Beach caught a 203-pound yellowfin on a sardine and a 9/0 Eagle Claw hook. He said he fished with 130-pound Izorline, 130-pound Spectra backing on an Avet 50 reel and a Calstar 765 H rod.

The entire American Angler group posed with their best fish.