Anybody know the story behind this one?

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.........

Not many boats carry the necessary permits. Also in the GOM you can't target Blue Fin. They have to be accidental catch. I saw one come in at Venice Marina one day. The Federal Game Warden was all over it. Separated the guys in the boat and questioned them separately. I believe you have to call on the way in to let them know you have caught it and are bringing it in.

Super Nice fish. I wonder how long the fight was.

How can you tell the difference between that and a big eye tuna or a yellowfin when you are about to gaff it? Are you supposed to cut the line or what fishspanker?

First of all, bigeye and YFT don't get that big, so telling apart is easy. Second of all, the catch is legal as long as NOAA hasn't closed the fishery for that size of blue fin, as long as your boat has an HMS permit ($26) which is required for tunas, sharks, and swordfish. Most boats have them, contrary to what Fishspanker says. He is correct that you can't target bluefin, they have to be an incidental catch. The problem comes when the season closes for that size bluefin. It then becomes very illegal. BTW, all fishing for bluefin in the Gulf of Mexico was closed May 31 2019

This was back in early to mid May. There were three (3) jumbo Bluefin caught by boats out of Deep Sea headquarters. This one , and a 638 on a sportfisher and a 564 on the party boat Pelican.

Capt. James Wheeler on the Pelican got the 564 just south of Perdido. They were trying for Mako when it hit. In fact, he told me that until they sunk the gaff in it they still thought they had a big Mako that never jumped. He said it was amazing how much a jumbo Bluefin looks like a Mako from above when they are still down below but visible.

The trip the Pelican was on ws a small 48 hr. charter. They also caught a limit of Yellowfin, Blackfin, Mahi and ground fish.

Those DSH boats can hunt and catch fish!!! Love those guys!

"Monster Slabs"

Good lord man

If that was caught on DC Outer Banks, probably go for $16.00/ Lb. X 605= $9,680 Big money fish. Do ppl really get that kind of money for bluefins?
Is the HMS Permit only for boats for hire? Here is an older version from NOAA. https://hmspermits.noaa.gov/other/2006angling_chb_brochure_final.pdf

Wow, nice fish. Didn't know there was a population of bluefin in the gulf. Have caught yellowfins to 150 and those fish put a hurting on me; can't imagine what a bluefin would do. And yes, DSH can put you on some fish, sure do miss being out there with those guys. Don't spread this post too far or you will have those gloucester aaahoollles coming down and screaming at everyone in those awful accents to get off their water.

Different HMS Permit for recreational boats, but still required for tunas, billfish, swordfish, and sharks

Awesome fish

There really isn't a "population" of bluefin in the Gulf, it's one of their spawning grounds. Only here at certain times.