Yellowfin Tuna May Set Record for Heaviest Ever Caught
Published at
iStockphoto/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — A California man got a lot more than he bargained for when he caught a yellowfin tuna in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, that potentially could shatter the previous world-record weight of 405 pounds.
Rangler Guy Yocom of Dana Point, Calif., 180 miles offshore with Captain Greg DiStefano, spotted a fish that took a chunk of bait form his rod. Yocom eventually pulled a large fish out of the water.
“There was a 50-minute fight with the fish,” said Yocom. “After we weighed the fish and realized we crushed the world record, the whole team was excited. It was a team effort.”
The fish weighed in on two different scales at 421.5 pounds and 427 pounds, but the final weight is still being determined, pending verification from the International Game Fish Association (IGFA).
“We submitted all the application forms and proper information, and now we’re just waiting to hear back,” said Yocom. “It could take a minimum of three months.”
DiStefano and Yocom made sure all IGFA regulations for crushing a world record were followed. In addition, Yocom could also receive $20,000 a year for 50 years — $1 million — which is a prize given by the IGFA if one breaks the world record.
In the meantime, the large fish is no longer swimming in the ocean, but rather in the stomachs of the crew that caught the fish.
When asked if it was tasty, DiStefano responded with three simple words: “It was awesome.”
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio