Guy Yocom’s 421-427-lb Yellowfin Pursued for IGFA Record, Hook-a-Million Prize

Guy Yocom landed a giant yellowfin estimated at 421-427 pounds and his team is pursuing IGFA certification and consideration for the Mustad Hook-a-Million prize after a recent string of trophy yellowfin in the Eastern Pacific. That catch joins a headline 445-lb yellowfin from the same run that was ruled out for IGFA record consideration because of crew/boat handling issues.

The sequence of big fish has reignited attention on procedure as much as on the size of the tuna. IGFA record protocol centers on scale certification and witness requirements; those elements determine whether a fish qualifies for world-record consideration and for prize programs that attach to verified records. The Mustad Hook-a-Million program can attach a large cash prize to a verified world-record tuna, but verification hinges on meeting IGFA standards.

The 421-427 lb fish caught by Guy Yocom was boated during the January 24, 2026 outing and is now in the verification pipeline. The 445-lb fish from the same period was disqualified for IGFA record reasons due to crew/boat handling, underscoring how post-catch handling and documentation can make or break a record claim even when the tuna itself is undeniably massive.

For anglers targeting trophy yellowfin, the practical stakes are clear. Confirming a certified scale and arranging witnesses before a big tuna is boated preserves a claim and keeps prize eligibility intact. Photo and video are useful for supporting a claim, but IGFA certification and witness protocols remain the decisive elements for record and prize validation.

Gear choice played a role in bringing these fish to the boat. Typical setups for this caliber of yellowfin include heavy braid, bent-butt rods and powerful conventional reels capable of sustained pressure and long runs. Those rigs help crews manage the fight long enough to secure the fish and prepare for verification steps that follow the landing.

The broader impact reaches captains, mates and anglers who chase Eastern Pacific yellowfin every season. A validated record would reshape the record books and could trigger significant prize money under the Hook-a-Million rules, while the disqualification of the 445-lb fish is a reminder that proper procedure matters as much as fight time. Guy Yocom’s claim now moves into the hands of IGFA adjudicators and prize administrators; final outcomes will determine whether this tuna earns a place in the record ledger and whether a large cash prize will be awarded.