Yellowtail can be found in many places around the world (they are called Yellowtail Kingfish in Australia and New Zealand) and have yellow coloring on their tails and bodies.
Not to be confused with yellowtail tuna, yellowtail can grow to some monumental size, and every now and again, one that looks incredibly large is caught on a successful fishing trip.
Any fish that weighs in at over 100 pounds is an impressive sight to behold.
Any angler who can catch a fish that weighs over 100 pounds is arguably even more impressive.
In this article, we look at some of the details surrounding the truly monstrous world record breaking California yellowtail catch, as well as some other records related to yellowtail as well.
The fish caught by Masakazu Taniwaki measured 61.81 inches in length and broke the previous world record that had stood for about five years.
The current world record for California Yellowtail is held by Masakazu Taniwaki who caught his giant fish on October 24, 2009.
He fished in Ohara, Chiba, Japan with a Fisher Aguira 76 lipple rod, Shimano stell 10000 xg reel, and Yotsuami line and original pencil bait.
His catch, which turned out to be the largest yellowtail ever caught, weighed 109 pounds 2 ounces.
Masakazu broke the previous world record that stood for about five years.
The previous record for California yellowtail was 92 pounds so this shows just how impressive this giant fish actually was.
The fish held by Masakazu Taniwaki also measured 61.81 inches in length.
If all this was not incredible enough, the fisherman actually landed the monster fish in just 12 minutes!
Considering that this world record was set and tied in the 1980s, it seems to stand the test of time and no one can break it.
There are currently two record holders tied for the southern yellowtail record.
The joint world record is set at 114 pounds 10 ounces.
One of the record holders is angler David Lugton who caught his giant Yellowtail off White Island, New Zealand on January 9, 1987.
He was using his Kilwell rod, Penn 114 HL reel, and Erskine line.
The joint record holder is angler Mike Godfrey who landed his yellowtail in Tauranga, New Zealand.
To land it, Mike used a Kilwell rod, Penn 114-H reel, and Amilan-T line.
Considering that this record was established and tied in the 1980s, it seems to stand the test of time and no one can break it for several decades.
114-pound fish really are monstrous, so the fact that two were caught is something that both anglers will likely be very proud of.
Some other impressive records related to yellowtail include the 30-pound line class record set by Kevin Pfeif in August 2004.
Kevin landed a 92 pound 1 ounce yellowtail on Guadalupe Island, Mexico.
When caught, the record-breaking yellowtail measured 63.75 inches long and had a girth of 33 inches.
It’s not just male anglers who are catching world records for yellowtail either.
Take angler Renee Shoberg, for example, who set the women’s 30-pound line class record with her 48-pound catch.
Another large yellowtail caught by a female angler is the women’s 50 pound line class record holder.
This world record was held by Agnes Jones who caught a 56 pound 9 ounce fish at Alijos Rocks, Baja California, Mexico.
To catch her weight, Agnes used a Kunnan Model HR5980C rod, Penn International 50 spool, Ande line, and sardines as bait.
Not only was this yellowtail over 56 pounds but it was also 52.25 inches long and had a girth of 23 inches.
Alijos Rocks, Baja California, Mexico seems to be a good place to be if you are fishing for some big yellowtail.
On November 12th, 1998, angler Brian Buddell set the 50-pound line class record with his catch that weighed in at 80 pounds and 11 ounces.
At the time he set the record, he used a Calstar 610 rod, an Accurate 30 reel, and an Izorline mono line baited with sardines.
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