Virginia fishermen catch 'monster' Bluefin tuna weighing a possible 1,000 pounds off North Carolina coast
An official weight could not be scored, making the fish ineligible for a state record
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}State record or not, this is still a great fish.
A father and son from Virginia recently reeled in a "monster" bluefin tuna that may have set a new record in the state. But while the anglers had trouble getting an accurate weight for the fish, they’ll still likely be able to brag about this catch for a while.
Josiah VanFleet caught the massive Bluefin tuna while fishing with his 9-year-old son, Zeke, off the coast of the outer banks in North Carolina, News Observer reports.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Unfortunately, the official scales at the fishing center broken, meaning Josiah and Zeke couldn't get a precise weight. Members of the Coast Guard, however, estimated the fish’s weight to be about 1,000 pounds. If accurate, it would be a record-breaker in North Carolina, as the current state record for Bluefin was set in 2017 at 877 pounds.
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"I think we are still in shock about this whole story," VanFleet wrote on Facebook. "I honestly think it was just a divine moment at just the right time. I definitely believe in prayer. And just when you least expect it this happens."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Southeastern Marine, a boat dealership that worked on VanFleet’s fishing boat, also posted about the catch on Facebook.
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"Today was a special day, Josiah and his son has been wanting to get out after a Bluefin for a while now so we took advantage of the window today and headed south," the post says. "Trolled for a hour or so and hooked a sea monster, 2 and half hours later after a broken reel and having to crimp the line to another reel to finish it we had 114.5 inch tuna roped off. Another 2 hours and some help from Tom crew coming over to help get it in. Scales at the fishing center were down. Guess weight is 800+. Coast Guard at the ramp said 1000 according to the tape. Whatever the weight it's a fish of a lifetime and a memories will never been forgotten."