In a thrilling day offshore, Carson Deer and a group of friends embarked on a fishing expedition that would lead to an astonishing catch. They ventured out for blue marlin and yellowfin tuna aboard the Catillac, a 46-foot Invincible Cat owned by Deer’s father, Marc. The journey took them approximately 160 miles south from Tiki Island into the Gulf of Mexico.
While bump-trolling for marlin, the crew unexpectedly hooked into a colossal bluefin tuna, setting the stage for a grueling five-hour fight. Upon finally landing the fish, they quickly realized they had secured something remarkable — an 884-pound behemoth.
“We knew we had accomplished something special, but it wasn’t until we got back to the dock that we realized how large the fish was,” Deer said, reflecting on the momentous catch.
Due to regulations set by NOAA Fisheries, bluefin tuna are protected in Texas waters. However, anglers with the appropriate permit can catch a bluefin measuring 73 inches or longer if it's caught unintentionally and reported within 24 hours. Deer and his crew possessed the necessary permit and diligently adhered to all reporting requirements.
The angler who hooked the fish, David Esslinger, described the experience as a true team effort. “First off, for those that have never landed a fish that’s the size of a car, let me just say that this is a full-meal deal,” explained Esslinger. “No man or woman will ever do this without a team.”
Deer recounted the start of their trip, which initially saw slow action. “We pressed on further and finally found a rig right at sunset that seemed to have a lot of life around it,” Deer noted. Despite their efforts throughout the night targeting yellowfin tuna, they only managed to land one fish.
The following morning, the crew set about catching bait, successfully snagging some small blackfin tuna to use as their next fishing bait. Around 9 a.m., their hard work paid off as the right rigger went off and Esslinger was quick to respond.
“The fish ran about 10 seconds, and then spit the hook and bait,” recalled Esslinger, describing the initial heartbreak. However, he quickly regained focus. “As soon as I engaged the clicker again, the giant fish piled on hard for a second time.” With that, the arduous fight commenced, lasting nearly five hours.
During the battle, Deer expertly maneuvered the boat while Esslinger fought the fish minute by minute. With encouragement and hydration from his crew, the fight continued. At times, they increased the drag to 52 pounds, pressing for control over the powerful fish.
“My body was shaking, and by the time the fish was boat side, my hands were nearly inoperable from fatigue,” said Esslinger, acknowledging the physical toll of the ordeal. Each crew member played a crucial role; Deer maintained the boat’s position, Swetman managed the leader line, while Young, Hildebrandt, and Denbow ensured the fish was safely brought aboard.
After the grueling battle, the crew iced the fish and banded together to secure it for the trip back. “The sheer size of the fish was mind-blowing,” Deer shared. “It was literally like putting a car on the boat. We knew we had a big bluefin onboard, but none of us really thought we had a potential record-breaking fish.”
The fish was officially weighed at Pelican Rest Marina in Galveston, where local anglers gathered to assist the team with their enormous catch. When the scale settled at 884 pounds, the crew erupted in disbelief — they had indeed captured the impending new Texas state-record bluefin tuna. The previous record, set just two years earlier, was 876 pounds, caught by Troy Lancaster on April 13, 2021.
As the excitement of the pending record settles in, the fishing community awaits the official recognition of Deer and his team’s exceptional catch. For them, this trip will be remembered not just for the size of the fish, but for the camaraderie and teamwork that made the adventure successful.