MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. (WTHR) — A retired Army general set a new record Monday for the largest bluefin tuna caught in North Carolina.

According to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Scott Chambers of Townsend, Delaware caught the 877-pound fish March 17.

Chambers wrestled with the fish, caught off the Oregon Inlet, for 2 1/2 hours before catching it.

The Department of Environmental Equality measured the bluefin tuna at 113 inches, tracing the body from its nose to the fork in the tail. The fish had a 79-inch girth.

Officials say Chambers caught the fish while aboard the charter boat, A-Salt Weapon.

The fish broke the state's previous bluefin tuna record by 72 pounds.

As large as Chambers' catch was, it was still quite a ways away from the world record of 1,496 pounds.