Brian Kiyohara's 24 anglers on an open trip aboard American Angler were treated to a rare event when a moonfish, an opah was caught on a five-day trip for tuna and yellowtail.

Tony Contreras of Oxnard got the beast on 30-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon tied to a 3/0 ringed Mustad 94150 hook. He said he used 60-pound Spectra on an Avet JX reel and a Calstar 700 M rod.

"It fought me for an hour," he remarked at the scales of Pt. Loma Sportfishing August 1. "I got hooked up after a long soak at a long distance from the boat. He spooled me twice."

Tony said he was having a mount made by Lyons and O'Haver of his prize-winning catch.

Ben Kawata of West LA won second place for a 33.2-pound yellowtail, and Gordon Toguchi of Canoga Park won third place for a 29-pound "forkie." The pair posed with Contreras, making quite a contrast.