In the early morning hours, 160 miles off the Texas coastline, aboard the Catillac—an Invincible 46′ Catamaran—a record-breaking fight unfolded on the open sea. After five grueling hours of relentless pressure, angler David Esslinger and his team hauled in an 884-pound Atlantic bluefin tuna, officially setting a new Texas state record.
What makes this catch extraordinary isn’t just its size—it’s how and where it happened. Unlike the traditional large sportfishing vessels typically used for bluefin hunts, this tuna was landed on an outboard-powered center console during a punishing 36-hour round-trip expedition. The mission? Originally a quick run to target blue marlin. What they got was far more epic.
“This fish tested everything—our endurance, our gear, and our teamwork,” said Esslinger, who fought the tuna using stand-up tackle while braced in a Release Marine Battle Saddle. Supporting him was a dedicated crew: Captain Carson Deer, TC Swetman, Brad Hildebrandt, Jeff Young, and Colby Denbow.
The Catillac proved to be more than just a platform—it was a difference-maker. “This trip would not have been possible without our Invincible 46′ Cat,” said Captain Deer. “With 1,000 gallons of fuel and capacity for 1,500 pounds of ice, we can safely go where most center consoles can’t—even when the weather’s against us.”
With rough waters, an unexpected quarry, and an unforgettable catch, the Catillac and her crew didn’t just break a record—they redefined what’s possible in modern offshore fishing.