Bank of Holly Springs
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Photo courtesy Mississippi Department of Marine Resources
Michael McElroy III is shown with his record-breaking yellowfin tuna.

McElroy makes record catch

• Yellowfin tuna weighed in at 236 lbs., 9.6 oz.

The State Commission on Marine Resources certified a state fishing record at its April meeting.

Michael McElroy III, of Hattiesburg, recently set a new state record for yellowfin tuna with a fish weighing 236 pounds, 9.6 ounces using conventional tackle.

The previous record was held by Robert Landingham with a fish weighing 205 pounds, 12.8 ounces set June 9, 2001.

McElroy is the grandson of Aleita Fitch of Holly Springs.

She said her grandson has loved to fish since he was a child.

"When he was little, he didn't want to go to the toy section at Walmart, he wanted to go to the fishing section," she said.

His record catch came March 30, a few days before Gov. Tate Reeves ordered a shelter-in-place due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

McElroy told The Sun Herald in Biloxi that it took him five and a half hours to land the fish.

"It's the biggest keeping fish I've ever caught," McElroy said.

But, he notes, there won't be much for leftovers.

"We're eating a lot of it," McElroy said, adding that he loves raw tuna.

He said he's also shared some with family and friends.

Holly Springs South Reporter

P.O. Box 278
Holly Springs, MS 38635
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