Man catches 405-pound tuna shattering 33-year-old world record

The long-standing world record for the largest tuna ever caught has been shattered by a California man who caught a massive 405.2-pound yellowfin tuna.

Mike Livingston caught the huge fish last Tuesday off the Baja coast while on-board the Point Loma-based boat Vagabond during a Mexican trip.

His crew pulled into San Diego bay yesterday to a crowd of curious onlookers eager to see the monster catch.

Whopper: Mike Livingston (right) single-handedly reeled in the world's biggest yellowfin tuna fish which weighed in at 405.2 pounds



The previous record was set in 1977 when Curt Wiesenhutter caught a 388-pound, 12-ounce yellowfin tuna.

The world record is pending approval by the International Game Fish Association but even if it isn't approved, Mr Livingston's catch is the largest ever landed on road and reel.

Mr Livingston, 63, from Sunland is a long-time angler who retired recently as a school superintendent - he said his catch was 'a fish of a lifetime'.

'It was my moment, my time. I'm certainly not the best angler, but I had enough skill to reel this one in. It was just my day'.

Sushi-bound? The huge tuna was caught off the Baja coast last week and brought to the San Diego bay yesterday



Captain of the ship Mr Lackey said: 'This is a fish of a lifetime for Mike, for our crew, for me and the entire fleet really'.

'It's just an honour to be part of catching such an incredible specimen. I'm still in awe of this fish. It just sets the bar that much higher', he added.

The crew arrived back on dry land yesterday and were eager to tell their fisherman's tales of the tuna that took nearly three hours to reel in.

'Mike was one of the fortunate ones to get bit, and the fight was on', Mr Lackey said. 'He fought it for 2 hours and 40 minutes and we were fortunate to get a gaff in it.

The tuna weighed 405 pounds which broke the previous record set 33 years ago when a 388-pounder was caught



Mr Livingston's previous big catch was a 100-pound yellow-fin, and although he hoped to catch a fish over 200-pounds, he never thought in his wildest dreams he would make a catch so huge.

'I listened to the crew and took instructions. Someone asked me if it felt like two and a half hours, and I said it really didn't it felt like 45 minutes really.

'I just leaned back in that harness and took what the fish gave me. I didn't even break out into a sweat. I didn't have to put the reel into second gear until the last 45 minutes of the fight'.

Fishy tale: The crew of the Point Loma-based boat Vagabond celebrated their historic catch



Mr Livingston's tuna is not only the biggest ever landed by an angler, but it also is the largest ever caught without any back-up reels or assistance from the crew.

It has been a season of big fish for the San Diego sport fleet. Early last month, Oregon's Greg Koonce caught a 379.8pound yellowfin tuna. It was the third yellowfin over 300 pounds caught in the season. Dan Nagy from Utah landed a 345.2-pounder.

