Local angler Gregg Lewis landed the catch of a lifetime when he reeled in a massive 672-pound Bluefin Tuna approximately 150-160 miles off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach on May 2nd.

• The feat took him three grueling hours, starting in daylight and ending after the sun had set. He was onboard the Angels Share 2 with Captain Ben Levi and Mates Daniel Menard and Bridger Beatey.

According to Lewis, his fishing party had already encountered several Bluefin Tunas and hooked into three of them earlier in the day. Although anglers are not allowed to specifically fish for Bluefin Tunas, they are permitted to catch them incidentally.

• The first fish they fought for two-and-a-half hours managed to break off the line, but their fortunes changed when they began trolling for Marlin.

Lewis, who has lived in Destin for three years and describes the area as “paradise,” has experience catching Yellowfin and Bigeye Tunas, but this was his first time hooking a Bluefin Tuna. His party had already released one Blue Marlin and one White Marlin, as well as caught a couple of smaller 40-pound Yellowfin Tunas before they hooked the massive Bluefin.

When asked about the experience, Lewis said it was “an adrenaline rush, that’s for sure.” Once caught, the party made their way back to The Boathouse Oyster Bar and reported the fish.