Royal Star owner operator Tim Ekstrom returned to Fisherman's Landing January 20 after a 12-day trip to the Buffer Zone with a supercow and five yellowfin over 200 pounds.

The 305-pound yellowfin was caught by Len Cunningham, of Alpine, a retired Oceanography technician with 28 years experience.

"I've put in a lot of time on the sea specializing in data collection," Len said, "but not a lot of time fishing. I've been fishing long range for eight years now."

Len fished a salami on a 9/0 Owner Super Mutu hook, 130-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon, 50 feet of 125-pound Soft Steel, 130-pound Jerry Brown spectra, a Shimano Tiagra 50 W reel, and a homemade Calstar 760 H rod. Len posed at Fisherman Landing with his wife Joan, and his daughter Megan Chase.

"It was early morning, in the dark," Len remembered, "and it stayed close to the surface the whole time. He probably took about 500 yards of line, but he never went down. It was an uneventful battle, really. I used an OTR harness and a Smitty plate. He took me around the boat four times."

Phil Miranda of South Bay Lawndale won second place with his first ever cow; a 253.5-pound yellowfin. Phil fished a salami on a 9/0 crimped J-hook, 130-pound clear Izorline, and a Shimano Tiagra 50 W.

Jim Simondet of Arcata won third for a 239-pound tuna. Jim fished a salami on a 9/0 Mustad 7691 hook, 130-pound Blackwater fluorocarbon wind-on by BHP Tackle, 130-pound Jerry Brown hollow spectra, an Avet San Diego special 50 reel, and a Seeker 2x4 custom rod.

Jay Love of Carlsbad caught a 218-pound tuna. Jay fished a sardine on 80-pound Blackwater fluorocarbon, 100-pound Izorline spectra, and Accurate 12 reel, and a Calstar 770 H rod.

"You'll get your opportunities if you're using one of those big salami mackerel," Jay added.

Ted Gustin of Los Angeles caught a 213-pound cow yellowfin. Ted fished a 6/0 hook on 130-pound Seaguar premier, a Penn 50 reel, and a Calstar 760 H rod.

Ron Volmer of Hermosa Beach caught a 207-pounder on the boat's kite rig.

Excel Heads Home "So far we have had a perfect ride home with light winds and calm seas," Excel skipper Justin Fleck reported January 20. "We did make a couple of stops along the way where we found full speed action on 14-20 pound yellowtail tight to the beach. The whole group is in good spirits and having a great time. Our eta to San Diego will be around 0700 tomorrow morning."