All-tackle Yellowfin Tuna World Record shattered with 405lb fish

by International Game Fish Association on 24 May 2011 Anglers have been trying to beat the mythical 400 lb mark for yellowfin tuna for decades - and the feat has finally been accomplished.

The IGFA is pleased to announce that retired school superintendant Mike Livingston, of Sunland, California, has been awarded the All-Tackle record for yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares). His momentous catch aboard the long-range sportfisher Vagabond of a 405 lb fish, boated on November 30, 2010 now replaces a 33 year old record set in 1977 by Curt Wiesenhutter.

'I think Mike did a lot more than just catch the new All-Tackle yellowfin tuna record,' IGFA Conservation Director Jason Schratwieser observed. 'He also demonstrated to people that it is possible to hook, fight and land incredibly large and powerful fish from long-range boats in accordance with IGFA rules.'

Indeed, the significance of this record and the manner in which it was caught are two of the chief reasons the approval process for this record took some time. The IGFA examines all record submissions with extreme rigor, no matter if it is a 1 lb bluegill or a 1,000 lb blue marlin. However, big tuna caught on long-range boats are often not eligible for IGFA records because the angler may have handed off the rod to get around other anglers or used the rail at some point during the fight – both of which are against IGFA International Angling Rules.

As with all other records, the review process was conducted by Record Coordinator Jack Vitek, Conservation Director Jason Schratwieser and IGFA President Rob Kramer. Each staff member scrutinized the application to ensure that IGFA angling and equipment rules were adhered to. In addition, all witnesses listed on the application were independently queried to give a detailed description of the catch from hook up to gaff.

The witness reports were key in this case, and each of the witnesses responded with very detailed testimony that indicated that Mike was able to hook and fight the fish without interacting with any other anglers on the boat. These independent testimonies coupled with a meticulously documented application made IGFA staff very comfortable in approving the record. Basically, it all came down to a very accomplished angler hooking the right fish and fishing by IGFA rules.

'I’d say it’s one of the most significant world-record catches in recent history,' Rob Kramer commented. 'It’s great to see a fish like this caught by an angler that knew the rules and adhered to them.'

IGFA President Rob Kramer presented Livingston with his world-record certificate at the Fred Hall Show in Long Beach, California.

The Fred Hall Show, billed as the ultimate outdoor experience, lived up to its claim. History in the making is always a draw, and a large crowd of the show's attendees gathered in front the mount of the 405 lb yellowfin tuna that had shattered the existing all-tackle record.

IGFA President Rob Kramer was joined by Paxson Offield, Chairman of the IGFA’s Board of Trustees, along with another California Trustee, Michael Farrior, as he signed the World Record certificate for Michael Livingston for his world record yellowfin catch, as well as a special Captain's award for Vagabond Captain Michael Lackey.

Michael Livingston is an unassuming and soft-spoken retired school administrator who lives in Sunland, California. He commented that the excitement his catch has generated is overwhelming and he is awed by all the attention.

During the presentation, Kramer commented that Livingston's historic catch shattered the most coveted record of all for long-range anglers who take multi-day voyages for big fish on San Diego-based boats. Livingston's fish breaks the April 1, 1977 record of 388 lb 11 oz set by angler Curt Wiesenhutter on the Royal Polaris (then owned by Bill Poole) while fishing at Clarion Island of the Revillagigedo Islands. Kramer further commented that he was delighted to have the honor of delivering the award personally.



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