What is the biggest yellowfin tuna ever caught? The world record yellowfin tuna is a 443-pound (200.94 kg) fish caught by North Carolina angler Earl Gill IV on November 11, 2024. The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) later approved it as the all-tackle world record and the men’s 130-pound line-class record for yellowfin tuna.
Gill caught the giant yellowfin while fishing aboard the San Diego long-range sportfisher Excel, captained by Justin Fleck. The fish struck cut bait near Mexico’s Lower Banks and fought for 1 hour and 45 minutes before the crew gaffed and landed it.
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What Is the World Record Yellowfin Tuna?
The current yellowfin tuna world record weight is 443 pounds 0 ounces (200.94 kilograms). It is the largest yellowfin tuna ever caught on rod and reel under IGFA all-tackle rules.
Earl Gill IV set the new world record on November 11, 2024, during a 10-day long-range trip aboard the Excel. The IGFA confirmed the catch in April 2025, replacing Guy Yocom’s long-standing 427-pound record.
| Record detail | Earl Gill IV’s yellowfin tuna |
|---|---|
| Weight | 443 pounds (200.94 kg) |
| Date Yellowfin Caught | November 11, 2024 |
| Location | Lower Banks, off Mexico |
| Boat | Excel, San Diego |
| Captain | Justin Fleck |
| Fight time | 1 hour, 45 minutes |
| IGFA status | Approved all-tackle world record |
Who Caught the World Record Yellowfin Tuna?
Earl Gill IV, a sportsman from North Carolina, caught the world-record yellowfin tuna. He was one of 26 anglers on a long-range charter from San Diego when the fish ate his bait.
Gill did not land the fish alone. Captain Justin Fleck ran the Excel, while the crew helped position the boat, manage the line, and eventually gaff the tuna alongside the boat. Long-range tuna fishing is a team effort: the angler fights the fish, but the captain and crew make critical decisions during the fight.
Where Was the Biggest Yellowfin Tuna Ever Caught?
The biggest yellowfin tuna ever caught on rod and reel came from the Lower Banks, offshore fishing grounds associated with Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The IGFA lists the location as “Lower Banks, Mexico.”
This region sits where productive Pacific currents, underwater structure, and dense baitfish concentrations create ideal feeding conditions for large pelagic fish. Cabo San Lucas and the surrounding Baja banks have produced several historic giant yellowfin tuna, including the previous world record.
When Was the 443-Pound Yellowfin Tuna Caught?
Earl Gill hooked the 443-pound yellowfin tuna on November 11, 2024. The fish fought for 1 hour and 45 minutes before the Excel crew gaffed it and brought it aboard.
The Excel was midway through a 10-day trip, so the crew kept the fish cold until the boat returned to San Diego. On November 17, Gill weighed the tuna on a certified scale at Fisherman’s Landing; the shore weight was 443 pounds, slightly below the boat-scale estimate of 448 pounds.ftw.
How Big Was the Record-Breaking Yellowfin Tuna?
The record fish measured 84 inches long and had a 66-inch girth. Those measurements help explain why anglers call fish of this class “super cows.”
A typical adult yellowfin tuna often weighs far less, commonly ranging from roughly 30 to 100 pounds depending on age, region, and food supply. A 443-pound yellowfin is more than four times heavier than many strong sport-caught fish, making it an exceptionally rare example of the species.
How Did Earl Gill Catch the World Record Yellowfin Tuna?
Gill used cut bait, a proven long-range technique for targeting big yellowfin tuna. Cut bait releases scent into the water and can draw a large tuna away from the boat or bait school.
His tackle included:
- Melton Tackle Kuro Monster Rail Rod
- Okuma Makaira 20 reel
- 100-pound Seaguar fishing line
The heavy rod, strong reel, and 100-pound line gave Gill the stopping power needed for a fish that could make long, powerful runs. After the extended fight, the crew gaffed the tuna and landed it safely alongside the boat.
What Was the Previous Yellowfin Tuna World Record?
The previous yellowfin tuna all-tackle record belonged to Guy Yocom, who caught a 427-pound 6-ounce yellowfin on September 18, 2012, about 100 miles off Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The IGFA approved that catch later that year.
Earl Gill’s 443-pound yellowfin surpassed Yocom’s fish by 16 pounds. Both record fish were caught in the same broad offshore region off Baja California, which shows why this part of Mexico remains central to the search for giant yellowfin.
| Angler | Weight | Date | Location | Record status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earl Gill IV | 443 lb (200.94 kg) | November 11, 2024 | Lower Banks, Mexico | Current IGFA all-tackle record |
| Guy Yocom | 427 lb 6 oz | September 18, 2012 | Off Cabo San Lucas, Mexico | Previous IGFA all-tackle record |
How Much Bigger Can Yellowfin Tuna Get?
Yellowfin tuna can grow beyond 400 pounds, but fish that size are extremely uncommon. They are fast-moving pelagic predators that roam warm open-ocean waters and feed heavily on baitfish, squid, and other forage.
A yellowfin’s final size depends on genetics, age, food availability, ocean conditions, and fishing pressure. Most anglers will never see a 300-pound yellowfin, let alone hook one; a fish over 400 pounds represents a rare combination of size, strength, and accessibility to sportfishing boats.
What Makes Cabo San Lucas a Hotspot for Giant Yellowfin Tuna?
Cabo San Lucas sits near the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, where Pacific currents meet productive offshore structure. These conditions concentrate baitfish and create reliable feeding zones for tuna, marlin, dorado, and other pelagic species.
The Lower Banks and nearby long-range fishing grounds give crews access to deeper, offshore water where older, larger yellowfin can hunt. The area has produced the two largest rod-and-reel yellowfin tuna on record, including fish caught from the Excel out of Fisherman’s Landing in San Diego.
Can Someone Break the Yellowfin Tuna World Record?
Yes. A new world record is possible if an angler catches a yellowfin heavier than 443 pounds and follows every IGFA requirement. The fish must be caught according to the applicable rules, witnessed, measured, weighed on a certified scale, and submitted with complete documentation.
Anglers who want a legitimate shot at the record should focus on:
- Fishing proven giant-tuna grounds during strong seasonal conditions.
- Using dependable heavy tackle, including a high-capacity reel and appropriately rated rod.
- Presenting natural bait effectively and fighting the fish without illegal assistance.
- Documenting the catch with photos, witness statements, tackle details, and certified weight records.
The IGFA reviews submissions carefully, so a huge fish is only a pending record until the organization approves it.
FAQs
What is the world record yellowfin tuna?
The world record yellowfin tuna weighs 443 pounds (200.94 kg). Earl Gill IV caught it on November 11, 2024, near the Lower Banks off Mexico, and the IGFA approved it as the all-tackle world record.
Who holds the yellowfin tuna world record?
Earl Gill IV holds the current IGFA all-tackle world record. Captain Justin Fleck and the crew of the Excel helped land the fish.
What was the previous yellowfin tuna record?
Guy Yocom held the previous record with a 427-pound 6-ounce yellowfin tuna caught off Cabo San Lucas in 2012. Gill’s fish beat it by 16 pounds.
Where was the 443-pound yellowfin tuna caught?
The tuna was caught in the Lower Banks off Mexico, in the productive offshore waters associated with Cabo San Lucas and Baja California long-range fishing.
How long did Earl Gill fight the record tuna?
The fight lasted 1 hour and 45 minutes. The Excel crew then gaffed the tuna and brought it aboard.
What tackle did Earl Gill use?
He used a Melton Tackle Kuro Monster Rail Rod, an Okuma Makaira 20 reel, and 100-pound Seaguar line. He baited with cut bait.
Is a 443-pound yellowfin tuna rare?
Yes. Yellowfin tuna over 300 pounds are rare, and fish over 400 pounds are exceptional. Gill’s 443-pound fish is the largest verified rod-and-reel yellowfin ever recorded by the IGFA.
How old is a 200 lb yellowfin tuna?
A 200-pound yellowfin tuna is usually around 4 to 5 years old, though exact age varies by region and food supply. Growth data show yellowfin can reach roughly 178 pounds by age 4 and 262 pounds by age 5. Yellowfin can live longer than once believed, with validated ages reaching 16–18 years in some studies.
How much is 1 lb of bluefin tuna worth?
It depends heavily on grade and market. Wholesale or dockside bluefin often brings about $6 to $25 per pound, while sushi-grade retail cuts can cost $30 to $80 per pound for lean akami and $150 to $275+ per pound for premium otoro belly. Record auction fish can reach thousands of dollars per pound, but those prices are exceptional publicity auctions, not normal market value.
Conclusion
So, what is the world record yellowfin tuna? It is Earl Gill IV’s incredible 443-pound giant, caught on November 11, 2024, aboard the Excel near Mexico’s Lower Banks. The IGFA all-tackle world record confirms that this yellowfin tuna is the largest ever landed on rod and reel under official record rules.
The catch matters because it shows what is still possible in the open ocean. Gill’s 1-hour-and-45-minute fight, the crew’s skill, heavy tackle, and Cabo’s world-class offshore grounds all came together to create a new world record.
For anglers dreaming about the biggest yellowfin tuna, the Lower Banks remain one of the best places to chase a fish of a lifetime. The current mark stands at 443 pounds, but the ocean has a way of reminding us that records are made to be challenged.
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