Columbia, SC – PENN Fleet Captain David Wright and his crew aboard High Hopes landed an extraordinary bluefin tuna that has rewritten the Virginia saltwater fishing record books. On January 10, 2026, Mike Rogerson, fishing with Captain David Wright, battled a colossal Atlantic bluefin tuna that tipped the scales at 832.6 pounds, smashing the previous state record by well over 100 pounds.
The epic fight took place off the coast of Virginia Beach under challenging conditions, testing both angler skill and equipment endurance. After a 90-minute battle, Rogerson successfully brought the giant tuna aboard Wright's boat using a PENN International VISW 2-Speed 80 Wide conventional reel spooled with Berkley ProSpec Chrome Premium Hollow Braid backing and a top shot of 100-lb Ocean Blue Berkley ProSpec Chrome.
Wright has captained his own boat off the coast of Virginia since 1978 and has been a part of the PENN Fleet since its inception. "I never expected to catch a fish of this caliber in my lifetime. Everything went perfectly to be able to land the fish and get it certified on a scale back at the dock," said Wright. "My PENN gear performed flawlessly throughout the fight. We hooked the fish in such shallow water that it was a stalemate for most of the battle. My mate, Andrew Flory, was the unsung hero—he has been with me for over 10 years and did an incredible job landing the fish."
PENN continues to honor anglers who push the limits of sport fishing and congratulates Rogerson, Captain David Wright, and all those involved in this effort. This remarkable catch serves as a powerful reminder of both the thrill of big-game fishing and PENN's enduring legacy of supporting anglers worldwide. From offshore pursuits to once-in-a-lifetime moments on the water, PENN remains committed to delivering gear anglers can trust when it matters most.
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