The 10 Largest Fish Ever Caught in Massachusetts

Massachusetts is home to hundreds of impressive game fish records. You’d be surprised at just how large some fish species can get! Although some record-breaking freshwater fish weighed over 40 pounds, the largest fish ever caught in this northeastern state were all saltwater fish, ranging from hundreds to thousands of pounds. Follow along to discover the 10 largest fish ever caught in Massachusetts.

10. Yellowfin Tuna (187 Pounds)

First on our list is the yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares). The largest yellowfin tuna ever caught in Massachusetts was 187 pounds. Angler Mark Bojoukos caught this nearly 200-pound fish in Nantucket on August 5, 1990.

Yellowfin tuna live in the pelagic waters of tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. They are common and listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Although 187 pounds is impressive, yellowfin tuna can weigh as much as 400 pounds.

9. Bigeye Tuna (319 Pounds and 5 Ounces)

The ninth largest fish caught in Massachusetts is the bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus). Bigeye tuna are members of the family Scombridae, which includes mackerels, tunas, and bonitos. These highly migratory fish are found nearly everywhere, except for the Mediterranean Sea.

In Massachusetts, the largest bigeye tuna weighed 319 pounds and 5 ounces. Daniel Bliss caught this monster fish in 2018. Due to overfishing and increasing ocean temperatures, bigeye tunas are threatened. They are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

8. Halibut (321 Pounds)

The next largest fish ever caught in Massachusetts is the halibut. The name “halibut” may refer to three different types of flatfish in the right-eye flounder family: Pacific, Atlantic, and Greenland halibut. Although the record does not specifically mention the type of halibut, considering Massachusetts is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, it was most likely the Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus).

Atlantic halibut are favorite among anglers. They are difficult to catch and can weigh hundreds of pounds. A lucky angler, Norman Cournoyer, caught the state record halibut in Massachusetts Bay. He caught this large 321-pound fish on July 21, 1965. The largest Atlantic halibut ever recorded was taken off Cape Ann, Massachusetts. The fish had been disemboweled, but the head was still attached. It weighed 615 pounds, but NOAA scientists believe it probably weighed around 700 pounds when it was alive. Atlantic halibut are listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN.

7. Blue Shark (485 Pounds)

Some of the largest game fish ever caught in Massachusetts were sharks. Number seven on our list is the blue shark (Prionace glauca). Blue sharks may reach lengths of 10-13 feet. These large requiem sharks travel long distances throughout the deep waters of the world’s temperate and tropical oceans. In Massachusetts, the largest blue shark ever caught weighed 485 pounds and 2 ounces. Angler Ethan Lynch caught this large blue shark at Jeffreys Ledge in 2011.

Blue sharks are very fast, but like the other sharks on this list, they face many threats. Blue sharks are listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. They are highly migratory and need space, so captivity is rarely an option in repopulation efforts. Like great whites, they tend to struggle and suffer in captivity.

6. Porbeagle Shark (495 Pounds)

The sixth-largest fishing record in Massachusetts is also a shark. The porbeagle shark (Lamna nasus) is a mackerel shark in the family Lamnidae. You can find this shark in the cold and temperate marine waters of the North Atlantic and Southern Hemisphere. These sharks are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.

Porbeagle sharks have stout bodies and large black eyes. These sharks are also long, measuring anywhere from 6 to 12 feet in length. Most porbeagle sharks rarely weigh over 300 pounds. However, in Massachusetts, the largest porbeagle shark ever caught was 495 pounds. Angler Jesse Siegel caught this massive shark in 2011 in Martha’s Vineyard.

5. Thresher Shark (630 Pounds)

Next on our list of the largest fish ever caught in Massachusetts is another shark, the common thresher shark (Alopias vulpinus), also referred to as the Atlantic thresher. These sharks are easy to spot and identify from their massive and unique tail. So, what’s the largest one ever caught in the state? In 2011, Timothy Delude managed to reel in a tough 630-pound thresher shark while fishing in Martha’s Vineyard. Common thresher sharks are the largest species of thresher shark, reaching a maximum weight of over 750 pounds.

Thresher sharks are slender, and their tails are sometimes as long as their body. The maximum reported length for a common thresher shark is nearly 25 feet. These sharks are excellent hunters, but they are not considered a threat to humans. Thresher sharks mainly consume schooling fish and squid. They use their long tails to stab and stun their prey. Sadly, common thresher sharks are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

4. Swordfish (646 Pounds)

Like blue marlins, swordfish (Xiphias gladius) have long bills that help them hunt. The largest swordfish ever caught in Massachusetts was 646 pounds. Albert Little caught this big fish in 1972 in Nomans Land Island. Swordfish are a favorite challenge for many anglers. These large, long fish are strong and put up a fight.

Swordfish are migratory fish with a massive distribution. They live and travel through tropical and temperate parts of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Currently, they are listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List and face many threats, including overfishing. On average, swordfish typically reach 10 feet in length. The world record swordfish weighed 1,182 pounds, nearly twice the size of the Massachusetts catch.

3. Blue Marlin (873 Pounds)

The third largest fish ever caught in Massachusetts is the Atlantic blue marlin (Makaira nigricans). The largest blue marlin ever recorded in Massachusetts weighed 873 pounds. Dr. Ralph DeLaTorre caught this impressive fish in 2015.

Atlantic blue marlins are easy to identify from their long, sharp bill, which they use to stun and kill their prey. Although an 873-pound blue marlin is incredible, it’s nothing compared to the maximum weight of 2,000 pounds. Blue marlins are also very long, with a maximum length of 16 feet. They are currently listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

2. Bluefin Tuna (1,228 Pounds)

Another massive fish found in the waters off Massachusetts is the Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus). In 1984, Marlene Goldstein caught a 1,228-pound Atlantic bluefin tuna in Cape Cod Bay. Bluefin tuna are robust saltwater fish that reach impressive lengths and weights.

On average, bluefin tuna weigh about 500 pounds but may weigh as little as 130 pounds. Mature bluefin tuna range from 6.6 to 8 feet long. Although some sources state that this fish may reach up to 2,000 pounds, the world record Atlantic bluefin tuna weighed 1,497 pounds. Atlantic bluefin tuna are listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Currently, these fish are threatened by overfishing and oil spills.

1. Shortfin Mako Shark (1,324 Pounds)

The largest fish ever caught in Massachusetts was a massive 1,324-pound shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus). According to the Massachusetts Saltwater Game Fish Records, Kevin Scola caught this hefty shark on July 27, 1999, in Massachusetts Bay. Shortfin mako sharks rarely weigh over 1,200 pounds. 

Shortfin mako sharks are fast-growing sharks. On average, they are between 8.2 to 10.5 feet long. They also have a wide range. You can find shortfin makos throughout temperate and tropical seas worldwide. They are very fast swimmers and travel thousands of miles every year. Sadly, these large sharks are currently listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, as they face significant threats from overfishing.