Don't think I'm crazy but I was told Hooked-up that there was a 96 lb Bluefin caught in a net at the Monitor Merrimac and the fish was weighed-in in Hampton. Can anyone confirm

Wow, that's really far in. I have seen them at the CBBT 3rd Island, and been spooled by them trolling for stripers in the suds at Cape Point. Every now and then you hear of someone catching one from the beach. So I guess it's possible.

They are killin bluefin out of hatteas right now and they are not too tempature sensitive good possiblity but cannot confirm it for ya

If it is true it probably ate itself into the bay.... what i mean is that there has been schools of croaker moving up into the river and maybe he just thought "well why would i hunt out here offshore if i can live with the croakers" and just followed them in....... but if it is true that would be sweet

Would the nets that they use for that type of fishing hold that fish?
GIL

It is true. My buddy works on the river and called me that afternoon to tell me about it. Before weighing it they guessed it to be 80lbs. Not sure of the actual weight though. That is what I like about the ocean, you never know what may happen.

Break out the heavy tackle it's time to go fishing.

Many years ago they consistently caught them inside the CLT. Wouldn't it be great if they returned.

The bluefin tuna was caught by 2 brothers. Bill and Pep Kellan Of Eclipse. He just wrapped himself up in the gill net.There wasn't a mark on him.

That sure would be nice... just go and catch some spadefish and then pull out the big rods and come home with a nice 60lb tuna. But I wonder if they where like the jacks and swim at the actual structure or do you have to trolll around the clt area

I remember reading a book called "Song for the Blue Ocean" which talked about how back in the late 1800s, early 1900s, you used to be able to catch tuna, including bluefin off the beaches of the mid-Atlantic states. At that time 1000+ lb Bluefin were the norm. The pictures are incredible. Now a 300lb Bluefin is considered a big catch.

Good book. Author is Carl Safina who is a fisherman and Marine Scientist.

It wasn't that long ago. We used to get them in the deeper water off the edge of the Tower Reef as late as 1997 or 1998. I think the fish are still there, just everyone is inshore playing with stripers. We had a thread on this back a few months ago.

The water has been Clean and salty lately.

Checked with the Virginia I.G.F.A. representitive on this one and he is highly skeptical.Something about it being April First and like that! Hope it's true,though.