New Hampshire Fishermen Land Record-Breaking 1,116-Pound Bluefin Tuna
The colossal catch significantly surpasses the previous state record and highlights the ongoing presence of large bluefin tuna in New England waters.
Fishermen Brandon McGirl and Captain Jamie Savage, aboard the "Out of Line" charter boat out of Rye, New Hampshire, have set a new state record by catching an 1,116-pound bluefin tuna. The massive fish was reeled in on Saturday, October 3, 2026, significantly surpassing the previous New Hampshire record of over 950 pounds set in 2013.
McGirl and Savage encountered challenging conditions on the water but heard their reels whirring just as they were considering ending their fishing trip. They pursued the tuna for over a mile before finally maneuvering the enormous catch onto their boat. According to Captain Savage, they immediately recognized the fish's exceptional size. "If you tuna fish for long time, to catch a 1,000-pound fish, is, I mean, it's something that you dream of," McGirl stated.
The tuna, measuring over 150 pounds heavier than the prior record holder, is so large it nearly fills the boat in accompanying photographs. The fish is destined for market, promising a substantial amount of high-quality seafood.
This catch comes just a month after a nearly 500-pound bluefin tuna was caught off the coast of San Diego, previously holding a significant record. The New Hampshire catch nearly doubles the weight of the San Diego fish, underscoring the impressive size of marine life found in waters off the United States coast.