Hawaiian fisherman snags huge Ahi, which capsizes boat

LIHUE, Hawaii, July 21 (UPI) -- The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a Hawaiian man after he hooked a huge Ahi tuna that then capsized his boat.

Anthony Wichman, 54, of Koloa on the island of Kaua'i, Friday hooked the 230-pound fish but was dragged underwater when his leg got caught in the fishing line. He freed himself, got to the top of the hull and called his wife for help, HawaiiNewsNow reported in Lihue.

Wichman's wife called Coast Guard Sector Honolulu, which launched a life boat crew from its Kaua'i station and a helicopter crew from the Coast Guard Air Station in Barbers Point to the scene of the mishap 10 miles southwest of Port Allen.

The helicopter crew found Wichman sitting on his partially submerged 14-foot boat. A rescue swimmer hoisted him into the helicopter, which took Wichman to the hospital.

Jordan Omellas and Abraham Apilado, friends of Wichman's, arrived and, while trying to determine whether the capsized vessel could be righted, realized the Ahi was still hooked on the fishing line attached the vessel. They reeled it in, righted the boat and towed it back to Port Allen, the report said.