The annual six-day radio charter arrived September 24 with skipper Justin Fleck and 30 anglers aboard the Excel. Fleck docked at Fisherman's landing and weighed the best of his catch. He was still excited about the fabulous albacore fishing going on within sight of San Clemente Island.

"We fished Cedros Island and San Roque for limits of yellowtail," said Fleck, "and then went up to the albacore grounds, where we had very good fishing. The schools are huge, maybe 300 yards across. There's bluefin jumping around in the middle.

"The bluefin are two sizes; up to 40 or 60 pounds, and some 100 to 200-pounders. They're still not biting, but Roy Rose (Royal Polaris skipper) hooked one of the big ones for a while, on a 6X Jr."

Brandon Wallace of San Diego won first place for a 39.8-pound albacore. He said it bit a sardine on a 3/0 Gamakatsu hook and 20-pound Izorline. He used a Trinidad 14 reel an d a Calstar 800 L rod.

Stan Seal of San Francisco won second place for a 37.8-pounder. Paul Lucio of Brawley tied with Larry Hengsteler of Phoenix for third place; both men had 36-pounbd albies.

Jonathan Medrano of Santa Monica won honorable mention for a 32.8-pound halibut.