Venice Angler Lands 256-lb Yellowfin, Seeks Louisiana State Record

A 256-lb yellowfin tuna landed off Venice could push the state record into new territory, pending certification by the Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association. The fish was brought to the scale and weighed by state staff, and paperwork has been submitted for review.

Jeffrey Tomaloff hauled the fish aboard Captain Eddie Brown’s Contender during a charter run operating out of Cypress Cove Marina with Fish Venice Charters. The catch came during a Jan. 16 trip when the crew worked pogy and menhaden balls that were holding schools of yellowfin. The strike came on a clear popper fished on an 8-ft spinning outfit spooled with 80-lb braid. The battle lasted roughly 30 minutes before the tuna was secured and brought aboard.

State staff processed the fish on landing and the crew filed the required documentation with the Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association for potential state record recognition. If certified, Tomaloff’s 256-lb tuna would surpass the standing Louisiana record of 251 lb set in 2012.

For local anglers and charter operators, the catch underscores how winter and early-year pogy concentrations can trigger big yellowfin bites in the deep drops off Venice. The gear choice on this trip, a heavy 8-ft spinning outfit with 80-lb braid and a clear popper, gives a clear data point for anglers chasing large surface-feeding yellowfin on chummed pogy balls. The roughly 30-minute fight also highlights the stamina and drag management needed when targeting fish of this size on spinning tackle.

Fish Venice Charters and Cypress Cove Marina were central to the operation, and the involvement of Captain Eddie Brown points to the value of experienced crews who can read bait balls and set anglers up for trophy opportunities. Local charters and private anglers should take note of the conditions and tackle that produced this catch if they intend to chase similarly large yellowfin.

As the Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association reviews the submitted paperwork, the community can expect attention to Venice as a productive bluewater destination this season. Prepare heavy outfits, check drag settings, and keep documentation ready if a trophy crosses the rail. Certification is the next step, and if approved, Jeffrey Tomaloff’s fish will join the state record books and add one more memorable chapter to Venice’s reputation as a tuna factory.