Norm Kagawa docked his Shogun at Fisherman's Landing April 20, a couple of hours before Day at the Docks began. Kagawa's group of 22 anglers had an eight-day trip to Alijos Rocks and Cedros Island, and found yellowtail at both spots. They also found some small yellowfin tuna at the Rocks, but refrained from taking more than a couple dozen of the 10 to 15-pound fish.

Norm thought he saw some decent prospects for the upcoming multi-day season.

"There's good conditions outside the Benitos Islands," he said. "The water's blue and there's a fair amount of bait around. We found 65-degree water at Alijos. The yellowtail fishing there was a pick, with the fish running from 12 to 30 pounds. Fishing with the dropper loop was best.

"At Cedros, we had fair yellowtail sign, but the water was changing and inconsistent. We got about 50 yellows there. The best method to catch them was on the yoyo jig, with the standard colors working best: scrambled eggs, blue and white, and dorado color."

Regular long ranger Kent Fukimoto of Santa Ana won first place on the trip for a 36-pound yellowtail. He said it bit on a sardine on a 3/0 hook tied to 40-pound Izorline fluorocarbon and 80-pound Daiwa Spectra on a Shimano Trinidad 30 reel and a Seeker 6460 rod.

"It took about 15 minutes," said Kent. "Yes, I'm going to eat him."

Kent also took second place for a 34.6-pound yellow, and he won the Rollo jackpot for the biggest yellowtail caught on the trip.

James Berry of Laytonville won third place for a 31.4-pound yellowtail.