Independence arrived next on September 12, with Jeff DeBuys at the helm and chartermaster Richard Schaffer of Purfield's aboard as one of 31 anglers.

"Absolutely fantastic fishing at Cedros Island," said Schaffer. We got a halibut, and the yoyo jig fishing was wide open, but it was also good on mackerel and sardines."

The Independence skipper agreed. "We got limits of beautiful grade yellowtail," said Jeff DeBuys at Point Loma Sportfishing.

A yo-yoed Fish Trap iron jig in blue and white accounted for the jackpot, a 43.2-pound halibut. Ziad Kizy of El Cajon tagged that baby, using 40-pound Izorline on an Avet LX-2 reel and a Calstar 765 L rod.

Bud Edwards of Palmdale and Bob Foushanes of San Pedro won second and third places, for yellowtail of 32 and 31 pounds.