9 1/2 foot bluefin tuna caught off North Carolina coast

VanFleet, who has a bathroom and kitchen remodeling business, said it's the biggest fish he ever caught. 

He told the newspaper that the U.S. Coast Guard helped measure the fish and put it at an estimated 1,000 pounds. North Carolina's current record is 877 pounds. But an estimated weight is not enough for the record books.

VanFleet caught the fish using a 22-foot Grady-White boat. He said it took seven adults and a second boat to complete the job. 

"We could not believe that out of all the boats out here, we were blessed with this monster of a fish," he recalled. "It was one of the most amazing feelings I've ever felt."

This article originally appeared on Times-News: 9 1/2 foot bluefin tuna caught off North Carolina coast