"Our timing was good," said Independence skipper Jeff DeBuys at Pt. Loma Sportfishing July 5. He was back from a five-day charter with 26 anglers and chartermaster Dick Schafer.

"The yellowtail fishing was exceptional, and we had white seabass, giant halibut and saw good sign of bluefin on the way down," added Jeff.

Don Klahs of Valencia won first place for a 47-pound white. He said he fished a double sardine on a VMC 7/0 hook, with 60-pound Big Game line and an Avet HX reel.

James Dahlberg of San Diego won second place for a 44.8-pound seabass, and Jimmy Jimenez of Colton bagged a 41.8-pounder, good for third place.

"On the fourth of July, we came back up and got 76 albacore," noted DeBuys of the patriotic score.