A Texas angler’s massive 884-pound bluefin tuna has set a new state record, according to state wildlife officials.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said anglers logged hundreds of record-setting catches in 2025, highlighted by what it described as the heaviest state-record fish of the year—an 884-pound Bluefin tuna landed by Houston fisherman David L. Essingler.
The agency publicized the catch in an April 1, 2026, social media post, stating, “NOT an April Fool’s, y’all. This 884-pound Blue Fin Tuna set a new state record,” alongside a photo of Essingler posing with the fish.
NOT an April Fool's, y'all.
This 884-pound Blue Fin Tuna set a new state record.
Check out 2025's record-setting catches at https://t.co/DLpVROKIgL pic.twitter.com/XGs9B2n2NS
— Texas Parks & Wildlife (@TPWDnews) April 1, 2026
According to a March 31, 2026, press release from TPWD, the record-setting tuna was part of a broader surge in fishing achievements across the state. Officials said anglers submitted 600 applications to the department’s Angler Recognition Program in 2025, resulting in 44 new state records and 470 waterbody records.
TPWD said 207 different water bodies contributed to submissions, with coastal waters leading activity and the Brazos River topping freshwater locations. The program also recorded 271 “Big Fish” awards and noted that nearly half of the applicants were first-time participants.
Essingler recounted the catch in a detailed Facebook post, describing a grueling, hours-long battle offshore with the fish, which he credited to a coordinated team effort.
“NO man or woman will ever do this without a team,” Essingler wrote, thanking fellow crew members and describing the physical toll of the fight. He said the fish made multiple powerful runs, forcing him to increase drag and endure what he called a punishing endurance test before the team secured the catch.
The department said the Angler Recognition Program, housed at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens, tracks fishing achievements across multiple categories, including rod-and-reel, fly fishing, and bow fishing. State records are determined by weight or length, and catches must meet strict documentation and verification requirements.
Other notable 2025 entries cited by TPWD included a 0.50-pound warmouth, a bowfishing-caught gizzard shad, and the introduction of a new state-record category for barrelfish.
TPWD officials said the program not only recognizes anglers but also serves as a measure of fisheries management success, claiming that record submissions reflect the health and diversity of Texas waters.
Anglers have up to 60 days to submit applications after a catch, and fish must be weighed on certified scales within three days, according to the agency.
