Top 10 Largest Fish Ever Caught

Quick Summary: Top 10 Largest Fish Ever Caught

• #1: Great White Shark – 2,664 lbs (1959)
• #2: Tiger Shark – 1,785 lbs (2004)
• #3: Greenland Shark – 1,708 lbs (1987)
• #4: Black Marlin – 1,560 lbs (1953)
• #5: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna – 1,496 lbs (1979)
• #6: Atlantic Blue Marlin – 1,402 lbs (1992)
• #7: Pacific Blue Marlin – 1,376 lbs (1982)
• #8: Sixgill Shark – 1,298 lbs (2002)
• #9: Great Hammerhead Shark – 1,280 lbs (2006)
• #10: Shortfin Mako Shark – 1,221 lbs (2001)

We know that many of you within the PartsVu community are avid anglers. So, when we ran across this article on Denison Yachting’s website, we couldn’t resist reaching out and asking their permission to share it with you. So, join us as we take a swim down memory lane, looking globally at the top 10 largest fish ever caught.

This article was featured on Denison Yachting News & Events

Sportfishing history is a long and interesting one. The act of fishing itself began thousands of years ago, when people would fish as a source of food. Not much has changed on that front, as a large portion of fishing today still revolves around catching seafood for eating–although it is most definitely no longer a mode of survival. However, fishing has become a lot more than that; fishing for sport became a popular pasttime over the years. While some turn to fishing as a relaxation technique and others do it as a fun hobby, many anglers fish competitively. Throughout history, some pretty massive fish have been caught. Even with today’s technology and knowledge, the largest fish ever caught still holds its number-one spot since the 1950s.

Wondering what is the largest fish ever caught in the world? Here are the top 10 biggest fish in the world ever recorded, ranked by official weight and date of catch.

What is the largest fish ever caught?

The largest fish ever caught is a 2,664-pound great white shark caught by Alfred Dean in 1959. It holds the world record for the biggest fish ever caught on rod and reel.

What is the biggest saltwater fish ever caught?

The biggest saltwater fish ever caught is the same great white shark, weighing 2,664 pounds. Other massive saltwater fish include tiger sharks, bluefin tuna, and marlin.

What is the largest swordfish ever caught?

While not included in this top 10, the largest swordfish ever caught on rod and reel weighed approximately 1,182 pounds, caught off Chile in 1953.

All records mentioned are verified by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), the global authority on angling records and standards.

10. Shortfin Mako Shark – 1,221 pounds (2001) – Among the largest saltwater fish ever caught, this mako shark was reeled in off Chatham, Massachusetts.

On July 21, 2001 in Chatham, Massachusetts, Luke Sweeney caught the 1,221-pound mako shark pictured above with a bonito bait. Shocked to see a shark on the list of the largest fish ever caught? Although some are surprised to discover that these large creatures indeed fall under the category of “fish”, they most definitely do. Because of their sheer size, six out of ten of the fish listed here are actually sharks.

9. Great Hammerhead Shark (1,280 Pounds) in 2006

On a 23-foot boat, with stingray for bait, Bucky Dennis caught this 1,280-pound hammerhead shark on May 23, 2006 in Boca Grande, Florida.

8. Sixgill Shark (1,298 Pounds) in 2002

The ferocious 1,298-pound sixgill shark pictured above was caught on November 21, 2002 by Clemens Rump, virtually in the middle of nowhere. The fish was caught near Ascension Island, located in the Atlantic Ocean.

7. Pacific Blue Marlin (1,376 Pounds) in 1982

The first non-shark on the list, this 1,376-pound Pacific blue marlin was reeled in by Jay de Beaubien on May 31, 1982 in Kona, Hawaii. Kita lure was used to catch the marlin.

6. Atlantic Blue Marlin (1,402 Pounds) in 1992

February 29, 1992 was a happy day for Paulo Amorium when he caught this Atlantic blue marlin in Vitoria, Brazil. Weighing in at exactly 1,402 pounds, 2 ounces, the fish was captured using Moldcraft lure for bait.

5. Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (1,496 Pounds) in 1979

This 1,496-pound Atlantic bluefin tuna was reeled in on October 26, 1979 in Aulds Cove near Nova Scotia, Canada. Ken Fraser caught the fish using mackerel for bait.

4. Black Marlin (1,560 Pounds) in 1953

This IGFA world record is a big one–beating even the number-one spot on the list for time, rather than size. On August 4, 1953 (the largest fish ever caught was captured in 1959), Alfred C. Glassell Jr. caught the mammoth fish above in Cabo Blanco, Peru. The 1,560-pound black marlin was also caught using mackerel for bait.

3. Greenland Shark (1,708 Pounds) in 1987

This Greenland shark was caught in Trondheimsfjord, Norway on October 17, 1987. Weighing in at exactly 1,708 pounds, 9 ounces, this shark was the largest of its kind to ever be caught. Terje Nordvedt used herring to bait the fish.

2. Tiger Shark (1,785 Pounds) in 2004

Kevin James Clapson broke another record on March 28, 2004 in Ulladulla, Australia when he caught the tiger shark pictured above, which weighed precisely 1,785 pounds, 11 ounces.

1. Great White Shark – 2,664 pounds (1959) – The largest fish ever caught in the world, caught by Alfred Dean in Ceduna, Australia.

Alfred Dean broke–and still holds–the world record for the largest fish ever caught on April 21, 1959, which received the IGFA stamp of approval. Dean used a porpoise as bait, a tactic as bold as the record itself. It paid off with the catch of a lifetime in the remote waters off Ceduna, Australia. The 2,664-pound great white shark he captured way outweighed, literally, the competition: it is the only fish on the list to surpass the 2,000-pound mark–and by a lot!

Alfred Dean’s accomplishment was a great one. His and many of the records on this list likely won’t be beat, given that a lot of these fish and others are now endangered and protected. Therefore, many of these moments will be forever preserved in sportfishing history. Way to reel it in!

Some records may never be broken—not just due to size, but due to changing regulations and species protection. These legendary catches are now milestones in sportfishing history.