Mike Ramirez skippered Excel 26 passengers to Cedros Island and open water kelps, then docked the big boat at Fisherman's Landing August 3.

"It was spotty fishing at the island," he said, "good for some boats, not so good for others. The fish are of good quality, though, and we had excellent weather."

Nancy Beckstrom of Cedar City, UT won the jackpot for a 32.2-pound yellowtail. She said it bit on a sardine on a 2/0 Mustad hook, a Torium 30 reel and a seven-foot Ugly Stick.

Tom McDyer of Chatsworth found a 30.8-pounder, and Mark Lemieux of El Cajon took a 30.2-pound yellowtail for third place.

(Photo: Nancy Beckstrom showed the boys how to do it with her yellowtail on the Excel.