Independence arrived at Pt. Loma Sportfishing dock after an 18-day trip with skippers Jeff DuBuys and Mark Pisano, who brought in a new all-time tuna record of 82 cows, or tuna over 200 pounds, for 23 anglers. That topped Shawn Steward's mark on the Excel of 79, set December 12.

"We had good fishing wherever we went," said DuBuys. "We started on the beach (outside Mag Bay) for six days of good fishing; then we went out to the Hurricane Bank for three days, to top off our wells and get some wahoo. We got 60 skinnies, and had even better tuna fishing than we did inside.

"All methods were working out there," continued DuBuys, "with the Hurricane fish biting on chunks, the kite, surface fishing with sardines, skipjack or mackerel, and on jigs."

Ron Moy, an LA motorcycle patrolman from Mission Viejo, won first place for the biggest tuna, a 292-pound fattie that worked Moy over for an hour and 45 minutes.

"I got this one on the second day," said Moy, who also had a 202-pounder, "and he stayed up on the surface for a half-hour with his sickle fin out. He bit about ten feet off the stern. He stayed way out there, and took me around the boat five times."

Dana Trieschman of Alpine won second place for a 280-pounder he brought to the boat in 40 minutes. He also had a 224 and a 220-pounder.

"My best fish," said Dana. "He fought outside."

Trieschman said he fished with sardines on 5/0 Hayabusa hooks. He used Yo-Zuri 100-pound line, 130-pound Spectra backing on an Avet 50 SDS reel and a Calstar 7455 XH rod.

Louie Marzari of Yorba Linda won third place for a 269-pound yellowfin.

"It took two hours," he said. "He bit on a long soak, and he got with Dana's fish for a long time. He went around the boat five times and then went back and forth. He's my best fish ever."

Louie said he fished sardines on 5/0 Hayabusa hooks, and used 100-pound Yo-Zuri line and 130-pound Fins Spectra on an Avet 50 SDS reel and a 755 XXH rod he wrapped himself.

Chartermaster Rick Ozaki of Gardena, who owns Raider Jigs and reps Smitty belts, Yo-Zuri line and Avet reels, had six over 200 pounds, at: 258, 216, 216, 207, 200.8 and 200 pounds even.

Rick said he fished with live skipjack for his biggest tuna, on 11/0 Mustad hooks. He used 130-pound Yo-Zuri Hybrid line and 130-pound Izorline Spectra backing on an Avet 50 W reel and a Calstar 7460 H rod.

Tied with the chartermaster for high man on the boat was "Beans" Sogioka, 86, of Chino, who got six cows. The Sogioka family is well-known to long rangers, with several regulars. Beans had three family members, Don, Bruce and Norman, with him. Beans' best was a 239-pounder, and he had others of 231, 229, 222, 217 and 201 pounds.

"I fished with sardines," said Beans, "on 7/0 ringed Super Mutu hooks. I had 130-pound Izorline and 130-pound Line One Spectra on an Avet 50 reel and a Calstar 6460 XH rod by Yo's. I got two of my fish with the kite. I saw them boil on the bait."

Sarkis Alajajyan, an Avet principal, was aboard and took two cows, of 214 and 239 pounds.

"I fished with 35 to 40 pounds of drag," said Sarkis, who used sardines on 5/0 Hayabusa hook, on 100-pound Yo-Zuri line and 130-pound Line One Spectra on a 50 SDS reel and a Seeker 6463 XXH rod.

After the weighing and the counting was finished, skipper DuBuys had some final words.

"I'd like to say that the reason all this happened was that our group was so well-prepared. Their tackle was impeccable. They all used good knots and splices. They changed line every night. That's why we had this success."