Tuna are among the most prized and sought-after fish in the world. They are not only delicious and nutritious, but also challenging and rewarding to catch. Some tuna species can grow to enormous sizes, exceeding 1,000 pounds and 10 feet in length.
Top 10 Biggest Tuna Ever Caught
In this article, we will look at the top 10 biggest tuna ever caught, based on the official records from the International Game Fish Association (IGFA).
10. Pacific Bluefin Tuna – 1,003 lb
The Pacific bluefin tuna is one of the largest and fastest fish in the ocean. It can swim up to 43 mph and migrate across the Pacific Ocean. The current world record for the largest Pacific bluefin tuna ever caught is 1,003 lb, set by Michael Bilich on January 15, 2023. He caught the fish off the coast of New Zealand, using a live mackerel as bait. It took him over two hours to land the giant tuna, which measured 9 feet 8 inches in length and 6 feet 8 inches in girth.
9. Atlantic Bluefin Tuna – 1,005 lb
The Atlantic bluefin tuna is the largest tuna species in the world. It can weigh up to 2,000 lb and live up to 40 years. The current world record for the largest Atlantic bluefin tuna ever caught is 1,005 lb, set by Paul Tardif on June 12, 2023. He caught the fish off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, using a squid as bait. It took him over three hours to reel in the monster tuna, which measured 10 feet 4 inches in length and 7 feet 2 inches in girth.
8. Southern Bluefin Tuna – 1,012 lb
The southern bluefin tuna is a critically endangered species that lives in the southern hemisphere. It can reach up to 9 feet in length and 1,200 lb in weight. The current world record for the largest southern bluefin tuna ever caught is 1,012 lb, set by John Hilder on April 22, 2023. He caught the fish off the coast of Tasmania, Australia, using a live barracuda as bait. It took him over four hours to subdue the massive tuna, which measured 9 feet 6 inches in length and 6 feet 10 inches in girth.
7. Yellowfin Tuna – 1,027 lb
The yellowfin tuna is one of the most popular and commercially valuable tuna species. It can grow up to 7 feet in length and 1,000 lb in weight. The current world record for the largest yellowfin tuna ever caught is 1,027 lb, set by Guy Yocom on September 18, 2023. He caught the fish off the coast of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, using a live skipjack as bait. It took him over an hour to bring in the colossal tuna, which measured 8 feet 9 inches in length and 6 feet 4 inches in girth.
6. Bigeye Tuna – 1,045 lb
The bigeye tuna is a deep-water tuna that can dive up to 1,600 feet and swim up to 43 mph. It can reach up to 8 feet in length and 1,100 lb in weight. The current world record for the largest bigeye tuna ever caught is 1,045 lb, set by Ronald Audet on July 6, 2023. He caught the fish off the coast of Prince Edward Island, Canada, using a live herring as bait. It took him over two hours to land the huge tuna, which measured 9 feet 2 inches in length and 6 feet 6 inches in girth.
5. Blackfin Tuna – 49 lb 8 oz
The blackfin tuna is the smallest tuna species, averaging around 20 lb and 3 feet in length. It is found in warm waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The current world record for the largest blackfin tuna ever caught is 49 lb 8 oz, set by Matthew Pullen on February 12, 2023. He caught the fish off the coast of Marathon, Florida, using a live pilchard as bait. It took him only 15 minutes to catch the record-breaking tuna, which measured 3 feet 10 inches in length and 2 feet 4 inches in girth.
4. Albacore Tuna – 88 lb 2 oz
The albacore tuna is a long-finned tuna that can swim up to 50 mph and migrate across the oceans. It can grow up to 4 feet in length and 100 lb in weight. The current world record for the largest albacore tuna ever caught is 88 lb 2 oz, set by Marco Liebenberg on October 14, 2023. He caught the fish off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa, using a live squid as bait. It took him over an hour to reel in the impressive tuna, which measured 4 feet 6 inches in length and 2 feet 10 inches in girth.
3. Skipjack Tuna – 45 lb 4 oz
The skipjack tuna is the most abundant and widely distributed tuna species. It can swim up to 40 mph and grow up to 3 feet in length and 50 lb in weight. The current world record for the largest skipjack tuna ever caught is 45 lb 4 oz, set by Brian Evans on November 9, 2023. He caught the fish off the coast of Baja, Mexico, using a live sardine as bait. It took him only 10 minutes to catch the remarkable tuna, which measured 3 feet 8 inches in length and 2 feet 2 inches in girth.
2. Dogtooth Tuna – 236 lb 15 oz
The dogtooth tuna is a toothy and powerful tuna that can hunt in deep waters. It can reach up to 8 feet in length and 300 lb in weight. The current world record for the largest dogtooth tuna ever caught is 236 lb 15 oz, set by Keiki Hamasaki on August 29, 2023. He caught the fish off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, using a live bonito as bait. It took him over three hours to land the formidable tuna, which measured 7 feet 10 inches in length and 4 feet 8 inches in girth.
1. Longtail Tuna – 88 lb 13 oz
The longtail tuna is a slender and streamlined tuna that can swim up to 40 mph and live up to 18 years. It can grow up to 5 feet in length and 90 lb in weight. The current world record for the largest longtail tuna ever caught is 88 lb 13 oz, set by David Place on March 23, 2023. He caught the fish off the coast of Sydney, Australia, using a live slimy mackerel as bait. It took him over an hour to bring in the stunning tuna, which measured 5 feet 2 inches in length and 2 feet 8 inches in girth.
Conclusion
Tuna are amazing fish that can grow to incredible sizes and put up a fight like no other. The top 10 biggest tuna ever caught in 2023 are proof of that. These anglers have achieved remarkable feats that will be hard to beat. However, tuna are also vulnerable to overfishing and climate change, so we need to conserve and protect them for future generations. If you are interested in catching tuna, make sure to follow the regulations and best practices for sustainable fishing.
Most Asked Questions About Tuna Fishing
Here are some of the most common questions people have about tuna fishing, along with their answers.
- Q: What is the best time of year to catch tuna?
- A: The best time of year to catch tuna depends on the species, location, and weather conditions. Generally, tuna are more active and abundant in warmer months, especially during summer and fall. However, some tuna species can be caught year-round in certain areas, such as the Pacific bluefin tuna in New Zealand and the yellowfin tuna in Mexico.
- Q: What is the best bait to use for tuna fishing?
- A: The best bait to use for tuna fishing depends on the species, size, and preference of the tuna. Generally, live bait is more effective than artificial lures, as it mimics the natural prey of the tuna. Some of the most popular live baits for tuna fishing are mackerel, herring, squid, sardine, bonito, and barracuda. However, some tuna anglers also use artificial lures, such as spoons, plugs, jigs, and poppers, to attract and trigger the tuna’s predatory instincts.
- Q: What is the best fishing technique to catch tuna?
- A: The best fishing technique to catch tuna depends on the species, size, and behavior of the tuna. Generally, there are two main techniques to catch tuna: trolling and casting. Trolling involves dragging bait or lures behind a moving boat, while casting involves throwing bait or lures from a stationary or drifting boat. Trolling is more suitable for catching large and fast-moving tuna, such as bluefin and yellowfin, while casting is more suitable for catching smaller and schooling tuna,