By Ed Zieralski, Union-Tribune Staff Writer
9:25 a.m. June 11, 2009

SAN DIEGO ??? It looks as though the Point Loma-based sportfishing fleet has saved the biggest for last: Capt. Andy Cates on the Red Rooster III reported Thursday that one of his anglers caught a possible world-record yellowfin. Cates said angler Mike Ashford of Coarse Gold (near Fresno) boated the big yellowfin Wednesday and was able to reel it to the boat without much difficulty because the fishing line wrapped around its tail during the fight. He estimated it weighs 380 pounds. Jason Schratwieser, conservation director in charge of records at the International Game Fish Association, said the tail-wrapping is not an issue when it comes to determining if the fish was ethically caught and eligible for world-record status. Cates said another angler caught a fish in a similar manner the previous day. "As the big 324-pounder yesterday this beast was tail wrapped as well," Cates wrote on the boat's Web site. "Sure helps things out. What a great way to finish an epic trip. Most of the other fish were 120 to 180 pounds, very nice grade." Ashford's tuna will have to weigh about 383 pounds to be considered for line-class world record status. The current mark is a 376-pound, 6-ounce yellowfin caught by Kenneth Yokoe on Jan. 5, 1996, at Clarion Island. But Dennis Williams of Carlsbad caught a 381-pound, 1-ounce yellowfin last year aboard the Royal Star. Schratwieser said that catch record is pending. Officials are waiting for a sample of the fishing line used to catch the fish to test it. To beat that fish, Ashford's tuna will have to be about 383 pounds. But should Williams' catch not qualify, Ashford would then have to beat Yokoe's 376-pound, 6-ouncer ??? and do so by about 2 pounds. It has been a record year for the long-range fleet. Cates' anglers reportedly have three yellowfin over 300 pounds. That will give the fleet 52 yellowfin over 300 for the season. Cates' last trip, an annual one called "June Heat," brought the heat for sure, as his anglers caught 20 yellowfin tuna over 200 pounds and three over 300 pounds