Fishing News And Chat

State Record Blackfin Tuna Landed!

Long Bay Pointe Marina, Virginia Beach VA -October 9, 2004. A 33 -pound, 15 ounce blackfin tuna caught on October 9th by William W. Charlton III of Chesapeake has been certified as the initial Virginia state record for the species by the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament.

Charlton caught his fish while trolling at the Norfolk Canyon with his friend Jimmy Collier on the Bone Daddy. The blackfin, which measured 39 inches in length and had a girth of 27.5 inches, was taken on a spreader bar rigged with plastic squids.

Blackfin tuna were added to the list of species eligible for state record recognition in 1999. Charlton’s fish is the first blackfin tuna registered which met the 20-pound minimum established for initial state record recognition.