It cost him his best fishing rod, but Mike Burnach of Sandpoint, ID came out all right on a four-day trip aboard the Shogun with owner-skipper Norm Kagawa. The boat returned to Fisherman's landing September 18 after the Western Sport Shop charter with chartermaster Richard Birnbaum, and Burnach won first place for a 36-pound albacore.

"I lost my rod on a bigger one," said Burnach, who had his rig jerked from his grip when he tried to go from one hand to the other.

Mike said he used a sardine on a 2/0 Mustad hook, with 40-pound Izorline on an Accurate 665 reel and a Seeker Black Steel 6465 rod. His winnings appeared to be enough to allow the purchase of a new rod.

Tom Nelson of Petaluma was second, for a 35.9-pound albie, and Dave Epstein of San Diego took third place for a 35.7-pound longfin.