Jeff DeBuys docked the Independence at Point Loma Sportfishing January 21, after a 16-day Rusty Hook charter with owner Alex Masumoto as chartermaster.

"I had a cow to color," said Alex sadly, "but the hook pulled."

Seven other anglers were more fortunate. Nick Appleton of Tempe, AZ won first place for a 260.4-pound tuna that sucked in a sardine on a 6/0 Gamakatsu hook. The fish then fought Nick for two hours before he was able to bring it to gaff.

Appleton said he used 100-pound Izorline and 130-pound Jerry Brown Line One Spectra backing on an Avet 50 reel and a Calstar 760 H rod.

Ron Puhl of Port Orford, OR (who fished with his dad and his son) won second place, for a 256.8-pounder that took a sardine on a 6/0 ringed Super Mutu hook. He used 100-pound Izorline and 130-pound P-Line Spectra on an Avet 30 W reel and a Baby Boomer rod.

Nick Puhl (18, and Ron's son) of Port Orford was on his first long range trip, and popped a 239-pound tuna with a sardine on a 6/0 ringed Super Mutu. Nick goes to Clackamas Community College. He used a boat rig: 130-pound Izorline and 130-pound Spectra on an Avet 50 reel and a Seeker 6463 XXXH rod.

Alan Fay, owner-operator of the El Capitan at Pt. Loma Sportfishing, was aboard for a bussman's holiday. He caught a 228-pounder on a 6/0 ringed Super Mutu hook tied to 100-pound Izorline and 130-pound Izor Spectra backing on a Penn 30 W reel and a Seeker 6465 XXH rod, after a 45-minute fight.

Roger Puhl of Medford bagged a 226-pounder with a sardine on a 6/0 ringed Super Mutu and the same boat rig.

Ken Buzzell of San Pedro got a 223-pounder in 20 minutes. He said he fished a puffer under the kite on a 12/0 Mustad 7691 hook. He also used a boat rig.

Charlie Smith of Minifee took 45 minutes to boat his 220.6-pound yellowfin.

"They're tough fish," he remarked. "I wish I hadn't pulled the hook on the second one."

Charlie used a sardine on a 5/0 ringed Super Mutu hook, with 100-pound Big Game line and 130-pound Izor Spectra on a Penn 30 W reel and a Shimano Talus rod of six feet.