April 19, 2012, New York — Robert Pedigo has caught what is thought to be the largest Yellowfin tuna ever landed using fishing rod and reel – a 427.9-pounder – but the catch likely can’t be certified as a record because of a technical violation.
Pedigo reeled in the enormous tuna April 12 off Puerta Vallarta in Mexico, but it’s not eligible for record status by the certifying International Game Fish Association because someone else aboard the boat “Journeyman” touched the rod during Pedigo’s 30-minute struggle to land the fish.
“Yes, this fish is not going to be a world record because I touched the rod while Robert fought the fish,” Osuna said, the blog Phil Friedman Outdoors reported. “We never thought this fish was going to go over 400 pounds.”
They reportedly have not submitted the catch for record consideration.
IGFA regulations state that “the act of persons other than the angler in touching any part of the rod, reel, or line … either bodily or with any device, from the time a fish strikes or takes the bait or lure, until the fish is either landed or released” will generally disqualify the catch from consideration.