Teen Fishermen Reel In ‘Absolute Beast’ 10-Foot Bluefin Tuna Weighing Over 1,000 Pounds

Teen Fishermen Reel In ‘Absolute Beast’ 10-Foot Bluefin Tuna Weighing Over 1,000 Pounds
(Courtesy of Dan Smith Sr.)
11/19/2020
Updated:
11/19/2020

Three teens on a fishing trip in Massachusetts have reeled in a catch so big it almost broke their gear. The humongous fish tipped the scales at more than the teens’ weights combined.

Dan Smith, Kyle Falle, and Jim McCormack sailed the fishing vessel “Julia Nicole” a mile off the coast of Provincetown on Oct. 9, hoping for some drama. The ocean delivered.

“The first word that came, I think, to all three of our minds is ‘beast.’ This thing is an absolute beast,” Smith marveled, speaking to WCVB. “Usually when these fish hit, they hit and they bend the rod over and they go for a screaming run.”

This fish, however, was well and truly hooked. The crew of three assumed they had a shark, until 30 minutes in, the heft of a 10-foot-plus giant bluefin tuna rose to the surface.

Dan Smith, Kyle Falle, and Jim McCormack with their catch. (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.julianicolecharters.com/">Dan Smith Sr.</a>)
Dan Smith, Kyle Falle, and Jim McCormack with their catch. (Courtesy of Dan Smith Sr.)
(Courtesy of <a href="https://www.julianicolecharters.com/">Dan Smith Sr.</a>)
(Courtesy of Dan Smith Sr.)

“[I]t looked like a surfboard going across the water,” Falle recalled.

“It’s the biggest adrenaline rush,” added McCormack. “We’re all going crazy.”

Catching the tuna was only half the battle. As the crew tried to heave the giant fish aboard, their hauler seized up under its 1,000-pound (approx. 454-kilogram) heft. “I never had that happen,” Smith admitted.

Julia Nicole Charters shared footage of the nail-biting moment on Facebook.
(Courtesy of Dan Smith Sr.)

McCormack noted that nobody counts a fish until that fish hits the deck; luckily for the trio, while the huge tuna barely fit on the deck of the Julia Nicole, they eventually managed to claim their catch.

Smith’s proud father, Dan Smith Sr., told The Epoch Times via email that his son has been a keen fisherman since childhood. He even filmed a pilot show, “All On The Line,” with the Discovery Channel, but fall filming was delayed due to the pandemic.

(Courtesy of <a href="https://www.julianicolecharters.com/">Dan Smith Sr.</a>)
(Courtesy of Dan Smith Sr.)

“Ironically,” Smith Sr. added, “one of the storylines of the show was both boats trying to catch a record-breaking bluefin tuna. As it turns out, Dan caught an over 1,000-pound tuna, not quite a record but certainly a world-class fish that most fishermen chase their whole lives.”

Smith, Falle, and McCormack remain stunned and proud of their epic catch.

(Courtesy of <a href="https://www.julianicolecharters.com/">Dan Smith Sr.</a>)
(Courtesy of Dan Smith Sr.)
“That fish just swam around here avoiding guys for four years,” Smith told WCVB. “It’s kind of a big deal to catch him, for me at least.” The crew sold their catch, keeping its impressive tail as a trophy.

Smith now has his eyes on a new prize. The young fisherman wants to break the world record by reeling in a tunafish over 1,400 pounds (approx. 635 kg) in summer of 2021.

Dan Smith as a young fisherman. (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.julianicolecharters.com/">Dan Smith Sr.</a>)
Dan Smith as a young fisherman. (Courtesy of Dan Smith Sr.)
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Louise Chambers is a writer, born and raised in London, England. She covers inspiring news and human interest stories.
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