The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) is the gold standard when it comes to verifying world records for sport fishing. From the inshore shallows of the Atlantic to the deep canyons offshore, anglers have landed incredible catches across a wide range of popular species. Below is a breakdown of current (as of 2024) IGFA all-tackle world records for some of the most iconic saltwater species on the Cape Cod.
Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis)
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Record Weight: 81 lb 14 oz
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Location: Long Island Sound, Connecticut, USA
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Angler: Gregory Myerson
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Date: August 4, 2011
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Notes: This massive striper was caught using a live eel near the Connecticut coastline and has become legendary in the striper fishing community. Myerson’s catch shattered the previous record and remains unmatched over a decade later.
Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix)
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Record Weight: 31 lb 12 oz
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Location: Hatteras, North Carolina, USA
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Angler: James Hussey
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Date: January 30, 1972
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Notes: Caught off the surf at Hatteras Island, this record has stood the test of time. While bluefish are known for their aggressive strikes and powerful runs, none have surpassed Hussey’s fish in over 50 years.
Tautog (Tautoga onitis)
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Record Weight: 28 lb 13 oz
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Location: Ocean City, Maryland, USA
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Angler: Kenneth Westerfeld
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Date: January 20, 2015
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Notes: Tautog, or "blackfish," are notoriously difficult to land due to their structure-loving habits. Westerfeld’s fish was pulled up from deep water off a wreck and is considered an extraordinary catch for this species.
Black Sea Bass (Centropristis striata)
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Record Weight: 10 lb 4 oz
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Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA
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Angler: Louis Marron
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Date: May 1, 1954
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Notes: A long-standing record, Marron’s sea bass was caught on conventional tackle and remains unbeaten. These fish are often caught offshore over reefs and wrecks, and while many 6–8 lb specimens are common, a 10+ lb fish is rare.
Summer Flounder (Fluke) (Paralichthys dentatus)
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Record Weight: 22 lb 7 oz
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Location: Montauk, New York, USA
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Angler: Charles Nappi
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Date: September 15, 1975
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Notes: Caught in the famed waters off Montauk, Nappi’s fluke remains the benchmark for the species. Known for their stealth and ambush tactics, fluke are favorite targets for Northeast anglers.
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus)
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Record Weight: 1,496 lb
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Location: Aulds Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Angler: Ken Fraser
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Date: October 26, 1979
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Notes: This absolute giant was caught using mackerel as bait and remains one of the most awe-inspiring records in the big-game community. Nova Scotia continues to produce world-class bluefin every season.
Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares)
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Record Weight: 427 lb
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Location: Cabo San Lucas, Baja California, Mexico
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Angler: Guy Yocom
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Date: September 18, 2012
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Notes: Yocom’s fish was weighed and verified under strict IGFA rules. This massive yellowfin was taken on stand-up gear and stands as the pinnacle achievement for tuna hunters.
Scup (Porgy) (Stenotomus chrysops)
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Record Weight: 5 lb 14 oz
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Location: Montauk, New York, USA
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Angler: Bobby L. White
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Date: October 4, 1992
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Notes: Scup may be small but are prized for their table fare. This nearly 6-pound porgy is a true outlier, and Montauk once again proves itself as a hotbed for record-sized inshore species.
Winter Flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus)
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Record Weight: 7 lb
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Location: Bay Shore, New York, USA
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Angler: Charles Holbrook
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Date: May 10, 1980
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Notes: While flounder populations have fluctuated over the decades, Holbrook’s catch remains unmatched. These flatfish are typically caught in shallow bays and estuaries during colder months.
Atlantic Bonito (Sarda sarda)
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Record Weight: 18 lb 4 oz
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Location: Santa Cruz das Flores, Azores
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Angler: Goncalo Macado
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Date: August 18, 2003
Atlantic bonito are speedsters often confused with false albacore, but this record from the Azores shows how large they can grow in ideal conditions.
False Albacore (Little Tunny) (Euthynnus alletteratus)
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Record Weight: 36 lb
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Location: Puerto Rico
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Angler: Gerald L. Gostenik
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Date: November 10, 2003
Though not considered great table fare, false albacore are beloved for their blistering runs and are a favorite among fly and light-tackle anglers from Cape Cod to Florida.
Cape Cod attracts some big fish, the next world record might just be a cast away right in our own backyard.