The catch Monday of a 310-pound yellowfin tuna off Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, occurred just days after a big-money tournament that produced very few quality catches.
The rare catch of the “super cow,” a reference to tuna weighing 300 pounds or more, was made at Outer Gordo Banks by angler Mike Witoshynsky and Capt. Francisco “Gachi” Castillo of Gordo Banks Pangas.
The Sea of Cortez location is where many participants in the Western Outdoor News Cabo Tuna Jackpot tournament had been fishing during an event that attracted 149 teams who competed for more than $1 million in prize money.
The tournament, held last Thursday and Friday, produced only two catches of yellowfin weighing 200 pounds or more, with the winning fish tipping the scale at 210 pounds and earning the team $80,625.
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On Tuesday, Pisces Sportfishing, which served as the weigh-in center for the tournament, reported that Castillo and Witoshynsky had boated a 310-pound yellowfin in Castillo’s “backyard.”
Pisces stated in a blog post: ”It was a great tournament, but when all was said and done, crew and anglers agreed it had been a tough one this year. So what would happen in 2020 of course? A 310-lb yellowfin tuna was landed only 3 days after the Tournament.”
The catch was made aboard the 26-foot super-panga, Regina 2.
Eric Brictson, owner of Gordo Banks Pangas, told For The Win Outdoors that Witoshynsky hooked the tuna while trolling a live black skipjack tuna on 80-pound-test line, with a 100-pound-test leader.
The battle lasted about two hours, but a strong wind made it difficult for Gachi and Witoshynsky, who is from Florida, to boat the fish. However, they radioed for help and received assistance from the crew of a nearby yacht.
Only a handful of super-cow yellowfin are caught off Cabo San Lucas each year.