"I think we're going to be in good shape," said Skipper Andy Cates after docking Red Rooster III at H&M Landing November 21. "Anytime you get some big ones, you're gonna be stoked."

The boat returned with ten tuna over 200-pounds, including a whopping 331.5-pound super cow. ??Late-afternoon crowds gathered at H&M Landing's scales, cheering at weigh-ins and taking pictures.

Outdoor Writer Ed Zieralski of the San Diego Union Tribune was also at the weigh-in; covering the recent surge in big tuna caught. "It looks like the average size is bigger this year than two years ago."

Bob Lubach of San Diego hooked and landed the big bruiser. "I went from 60-pounds as a previous best," he said, "to 300-pounds. I was stuck up on the bow for the fight."

Bob fished a mackerel on a 7/0 Eagle Claw 2004 hook, 130-pound Izorline Top Shot with 130-pound Izorline Spectra backing, an Accurate ATD 50 W reel, and a Calstar 760 H rod. ??He did not enter the jackpot. ??

"It was Run ???N Gun fishing," said Jack Nilsen of Accurate Fishing Products, who chartered the ten-day fly-back trip. "We went into Magdalena Bay and made bait two times," said Jack, "so we were in the area anyways. You fished hard all day long to get one good stop???usually at sundown."

Gary Gillingham of Duarte, CA took first place with a 297-pound tuna that fought "straight up and down." Gary fished a mackerel on an 8/0 Owner hook, 130-pound Izorline mono with 200-pound Izorline Spectra backing, an Accurate 50 W reel, and a Calstar 6465 rod.

John Wentzel of San Clemente caught a 247-pound yellowfin; good for second place. "I used nothing but sardines," said John, "and nothing but Izorline. I caught a 244-pounder on the kite, but the big one worked me. ??I used an Accurate 30 reel, a Calstar 760 rod and a 7/0 Owner Super Mutu hook on the 247-pounder."

Long range regular Allen Lemberg of San Diego took third for a 240-pound tuna. Allen fished a mackerel on an 8/0 Owner hook, 100-pound Izorline with 135-pound Izorline Hollow Spectra, and an Accurate 50 two-speed reel.

Larry Fernandez of Garberville, CA, hooked and landed a 287-pound tuna. "It just about ripped my arm off," Larry said, who didn't enter the jackpot. ??"This was my first long range trip, it was just awesome."

Accurate Pro-Staffer David "Wahoodad" Choate, of Torrance said, "There's some wahoo in that Mag Bay cow zone. I saw a couple guys get zipped off.

"Usually the tuna down there is weather sensitive, but we got some wind that last day and they bit right through it."

Angler Jeff Fox of Torrance booked the trip a couple days before leaving. "These anglers were probably some of the nicest bunch of guys I've ever been with; no egos, no competition. We got some lovely fish, I had a wonderful time."