American Angler returned to Pt. Loma Sportfishing January 6 after a good 11-day trip that produced 10 cow tuna for skipper Ray Lopez and his Calstar charter with chartermaster Glenn Kuromi, who called it "A great trip." Two of the top three jackpot winners were from trip co-sponsor Ken's Custom Reels in Oceanside. "It was a scratch bite, but every bite was worth it," said skipper Lopez. Long soaks were the order of the day.

One of the anglers was celebrating 100-plus days on the water with the American Angler this past year. Bill Randall, in the above photo of Foothill Ranch told dock reporter Bill Roecker about it:

"I'm retired since 2008," said Randall, "and this is what I do now. I've averaged 70 days a year for the last four years. Last year I had 82 days and this year I was almost at 100 days so I went ahead and signed on. The trips have been from five to 15 days. I got a 202-pounder this time, on my 12th trip this year."

John Haskin of San Clemente won first place for a 230-pounder. He also had one at 217. He said he got the bigger one on a sardine and a 5/0 Owner Gorilla hook tied to 100-pound Seaguar Premier fluorocarbon, 100-pound Line One spectra, an Accurate ATD 30 reel and a custom Calstar wrapped by Ken's, a 770 XH rod.

Zeke Harloff of Oceanside got a 220.5-pounder for second place, but he also got a 91-pound wahoo on the same outfit. Zeke said he fished sardines on 5/0 ringed Owner Super Mutu hook, with 130-pound Blackwater wind-on leaders from Ken's and 130-pound Izorline spectra on a Baker/Penn 30 reel and a Calstar 7465 H rod. "It took an hour," said Zeke. "This one was tougher than my 232-pounder."

Reel builder Wes Cogan of Ken's won third place for a 217.5-pounder, but he also got a 231-pound tuna. Wes said he got his winner with a salami mackerel on an 18/0 Eagle Claw hook, 130-pound Blackwater fluorocarbon and 130-pound Izorline spectra on a Tiburon SST 50 reel and a Calstar 770 XXH rod.

Chris Sato of Encinitas caught a 258-pounder, but wasn't available for an interview.

John Wilson of San Clemente copped a brace at 208 and 216 pounds. Dave Boes of Bellvue, WA got a 214-pounder. His fellow Washingtonians, son and father Dustin and Bill Graham of Mukilteo popped a pair at 214 and 205 pounds.

Nacho Camarena of Oceanside bagged a 208-pound yellowfin with a flying fish under a balloon. He used a Mustad 8/0 7691 hook and a 130-pound boat rig.

Bob Hanke of Whittier, 80 years old, bagged a 208-pound tuna. Chris Rinauro of Murphys found a 206-pound tuna.