Fisherman Sets New State Record For Blackfin Tuna

[NCangler]

MOREHEAD CITY – A Raleigh fisherman has upped the standard for blackfin tuna caught in North Carolina waters by breaking the state record this spring.

Steven B. Lockwood of Raleigh landed a 40-pound blackfin tuna April 14 that he caught aboard the charter boat Dream Girl, based out of the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center.

The fish was caught while trolling with ballyhoo and measured 41.5 inches total length and had a girth of 28 inches.

The previous state record of 39 pounds, set in 2002, was also caught off Oregon Inlet.

The all-tackle world record for blackfin tuna is 49 pounds, 6 ounces.

For more information, contact Carole Yoder, sportfishing specialist with the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, by phone at (252) 726-7021 or (800) 682-2632 or by e-mail at Carole.Yoder@ncmail.net.