Fishin’ Stories

Standing Up To A 315 Pound Tuna

A 300 pound Yellowfin Tuna is a prize many anglers spend a lifetime seeking. Known as a “3″, the big tuna is uncommonly powerful and can quickly spool a large reel in a run toward the ocean floor. Most anglers never catch a 3. Eleven year old Clayton Ludington is one of the exceptions.

Clayton and his dad boarded the 115 foot fishing boat Royal Polaris in San Diego, California, for a 17 day fishing trip bound for Clarion Island, a fish rich island located 500 miles south of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

The fishing stops along the way were productiv, and Clayton had caught a bagful of football size tuna and large wahoo as well as sailfish by the time they arrived at Clarion Island.

“When we got to Clarion,” Clayton remembers’ “I went and got a rod out of the rack, pinned on a pretty big caballito baitfish and cast it out. The tuna were biting, and after about 15 minutes the caballito really started swimming. I knew something was chasing my bait. I had about 100 yards of line out when the big fish finally hit.”

The striking tuna surged away from the boat, whirling the free-spooling reel and burning Clayton’s thumb as he pressed down to avoid a tangle. Clayton quickly locked the drag and set the hook. The fish swam deep, taking line fast. For 10 minutes, Clayton struggled to hold the tuna’s weight. His only aid was his stand up rod belt which kept the pole steady. His arms and hands were tiring fast. He gave the pole to Brian, one of the deckhands, and grabbed his harness. After the reel was clipped in place, Clayton could lean back without holding the rod. It made it easier, but not much. This was a big fish.

The tuna fought strongly, taking out line again and again. Clayton stood fast on the deck, occasionally leaning the rod against the rail to rest his muscles. An hour and 10 minutes after the strike, the fish tired. It’s dark oval shape appeared beneath the water as it was reeled closer to the boat. The deckhand hollered for extra gaffs. It was the largest tuna Clayton had ever seen.

“It took five gaffs to land the tuna,” Clayton says, “and a bunch of deckhands to lift it over the railing. I couldn’t believe how big it was.”

Back on the dock in San Diego the fish was officially weighed. It registered 315 pounds on the scale and was one of the largest fish of the trip.

“It was an incredible catch,” remarked Captain Frank Lopreste, owner of the Royal Polaris. “Clayton is an exceptionally tough 11 year old fisherman. He hung in there and landed what will probably turn out to be the greatest fish of his life.”

I give credit to the book Kid’s Incredible Fishing Stories by Shaun Morey for supplying me with these stories. Hope u like them!!!