Henry Seward’s massive catch off Avalon

In the midst of bleak, stormy skies, surrounded by pounding waves off the New Jersey coast, Sixth Former Henry Seward achieved the catch of a lifetime: a remarkable 160-pound, 59-inch bluefin tuna. 

“There was a bunch of bluefin tuna off of the beach [in Atlantic City] really close in,” Seward said. “We got out there, there were like six-foot waves. My dad was not happy, but we stayed out there when all the other boats went back to the docks.”

They stayed determined and continued their search for the school of tuna. 

“We got lucky and found them,” Seward said. “I hooked into one and [thought] this is really a fish of a lifetime.” 

“That fish worked me, I was completely gassed afterward. The tuna did probably 80 circles about 40 feet down, so it was tough. My reel broke halfway through.”

Henry Seward ’24

Finding the fish was not the most difficult part. Tuna are known for being strong fighters and especially difficult to reel in without breaking the line. 

“[The fight] took over three hours,” Seward said. “That fish worked me, I was completely gassed afterward. The tuna did probably 80 circles about 40 feet down, so it was tough. My reel broke halfway through.” 

Seward was able to reel the fish in after an exhausting battle, persevering through exhaustion and the broken reel.  

“We got back to the dock, fileted it,” Seward said, “and now I have a bunch of tuna in my fridge.” 

Some may perceive fishing as a mere recreational pursuit, but for Seward, it encompasses much more. 

“The search and getting out there, and not catching anything just makes actually finding the fish that much more special,” Seward said. “Most importantly, it was a great time with my family.”