The Loftus & Martin Tuna Special aboard Qualifier 105 with skipper Brian Sims docked at Pt. Loma Sportfishing January 25.

"We had some pretty rough weather," allowed Sims, "but this group of guys was great. They kept on fishing and had a good time. We'll be pleased to have them back again next year."

The best tuna was just short of 200 pounds. Harold Holsted of La Palma caught his 197-pounder on a chunk and an 8/0 ringed Super Mutu hook tied to 100-pound Big Game line and 130-pound Spectra backing. He used a Penn 50 W reel and "?Ķan old Sabre rod."

"He was a strong fish," said Holsted, "I had 25-plus pounds of drag."

John Fike of Chatsworth won second place for a 192-pound yellowfin He bagged it with a sardine on a 4/0 ringed Super Mutu hook on 80-pound Izorline. He used 130-pound Big Game Spectra on a Penn 12 T reel with a Baker topless conversion, on a 6460 XH rod.

Fike also got the trip's best yellowtail, a 39.4-pounder.

Tom Kellcher of Corona del Mar won third place for a 169-pound tuna. It took a chunk, he said, on an Eagle Claw 8/0 circle hook. He said he used 130-pound line of unknown make, 130-pound Spectra, a Penn 50 reel modified by Cal Sheets and a Seeker custom 6460 XXH rod.