For more than a decade, the legendary 427-pound yellowfin tuna caught near Cabo San Lucas by Guy Yocom stood as one of the most respected records in all of big-game fishing.
That fish became part of offshore fishing history.
But now… a new giant has officially taken the crown.
On November 11, 2024, angler Earl Gill IV landed an unbelievable 443-pound yellowfin tuna while fishing aboard the famous long-range sportfishing vessel Excel, captained by Justin Fleck.
With that fish, Earl officially shattered two IGFA records:
- IGFA All-Tackle World Record Yellowfin Tuna
- IGFA Men’s 60-kg (130 lb.) Line Class World Record
The massive tuna surpassed the previous all-tackle record by an incredible 16 pounds.
And just like many of the greatest tuna catches in history…
It happened in Mexican waters.
The Fall of a Legendary Record
Back in 2012, Guy Yocom’s 427-pound yellowfin tuna helped cement Baja California Sur as one of the greatest giant tuna fisheries on Earth.
Caught near Cabo San Lucas using:
- A Melton rod
- Shimano Tiagra reel
- 100-pound Jerry Brown line
- Chunking techniques
the fish measured:
- 88 inches long
- 63-inch girth
At the time, many anglers believed that record might never be broken.
Yellowfin tuna over 400 pounds are extraordinarily rare.
These fish are not simply “big tuna.”
They are true ocean giants capable of testing:
- tackle,
- crews,
- boats,
- captains,
- and anglers to their absolute limits.
But on November 11, 2024, history changed again.
The 443-Pound Giant That Changed Everything
The Excel was fishing the famous Lower Banks off Mexico when Earl Gill IV hooked the giant tuna on cut bait.
What followed became one of the most impressive yellowfin tuna battles in modern offshore fishing.
For 1 hour and 45 minutes, Earl fought the giant fish while the experienced Excel crew worked together to control the chaos that comes with battling a true “cow tuna.”
Eventually, the crew successfully gaffed the massive yellowfin and brought it aboard.
The Excel then returned to port where the tuna was officially weighed on a certified scale at Fisherman’s Landing in San Diego.
Final official weight:
443 Pounds (200.94 kilograms)
A new king of yellowfin tuna had officially been crowned.
Could “El Súper Niño” Create Another World Record?
Now the big question across Baja California Sur is simple:
Could Cabo San Lucas produce the next world record yellowfin tuna?
Many local captains believe the possibility is very real.
One of the biggest conversations currently happening among offshore crews revolves around ocean temperatures.
The water is unusually hot.
Very hot.
Many veteran captains are already comparing these conditions to historical warm-water cycles that produced extraordinary tuna fishing in the past.
Some anglers are even calling this weather pattern an “El Súper Niño” scenario because of the intensity of the warm-water conditions currently developing across parts of the Pacific.
When super-heated blue water pushes close to Baja California Sur, several important things often happen:
- bait populations explode,
- tuna migrate aggressively,
- offshore current lines strengthen,
- and giant pelagic predators begin feeding heavily.
These are exactly the types of conditions that can produce world-record-class fish.
Satellite imagery, temperature charts, and offshore reports are already showing:
- strong warm-water pushes,
- active current breaks,
- healthy bait concentrations,
- and excellent offshore water color.
Many experienced captains believe the 2025–2026 tuna seasons could become some of the most exciting seen in years.
And now that the world record has officially moved from 427 pounds to 443 pounds…
the new target has been set.
Why Baja California Sur Is Still One of the Best Places on Earth for Giant Tuna
Very few fisheries worldwide consistently produce giant yellowfin tuna the way Baja California Sur can.
The combination of:
- deep offshore structure,
- warm Pacific currents,
- massive bait concentrations,
- nutrient-rich waters,
- and experienced captains
creates ideal conditions for giant tuna growth.
Areas like:
- Gordo Banks
- Golden Gate Bank
- Finger Bank
- San Jaime Bank
- Lower Banks
- Vinorama offshore canyons
have all produced incredible tuna fishing over the years.
And with modern technology now helping captains locate fish more efficiently than ever before, the chances of encountering true giants continue increasing.
Today’s offshore crews use:
- sonar systems,
- omni sonar technology,
- satellite SST charts,
- chlorophyll readings,
- advanced navigation systems,
- and real-time bait movement analysis
to locate productive water before even leaving the marina.
Apps like SatFish have also become game changers for many professional captains searching for:
- temperature breaks,
- current edges,
- and giant bait concentrations offshore.
One Bite Can Change Fishing History Forever
That is what makes giant tuna fishing so addictive.
You never truly know what is swimming beneath the surface.
One perfect weather pattern.
One giant bait school.
One warm current edge.
One bite.
That is all it takes to rewrite the record books forever.
And with Baja California Sur currently experiencing unusually warm water temperatures and strong offshore conditions, excitement across the Cabo sportfishing community is growing rapidly.
Because somewhere offshore right now…
there could already be another 400-plus-pound yellowfin tuna feeding beneath the surface.
Maybe even one larger than 443 pounds.
