Largest fish ever taken by hand?

Yes,
 I sneaked up on his back and went for a ride for an hour or more.
Its a giant manta ray from Soccorro Island way offshore  Mexico. 1985.
 I have stories from the old days that even I don't believe until seeing old photos.
Steve
 

That is a cool picture.  Thanks. 

Thank you for the picture of the Manta.  Now tell us about the story...

For 20 years I collected live tropical fish in Mexico .[ and speared a few as well]
We were in San Benedicto Island in the 80's and I had my fill of tropicals for the day.
I was resting on deck of the boat when this manta ray swims slowly around it. So, I slid of the back to meet him. I was the only one in the water and had him all to myself. [Unlike the "cattle boat" routine of the dive charters]
I approached him very slowly and held on gently to show I ment no harm. He allowed me to stay and I stayed for an hour.
Eventually some other divers who were on the other side of the island came back and saw me sitting 'up' in the water . Then they saw the fins fly up on both sides and knew I was on a manta.
"Come have ride!" I yelled at em..."I'll hold him for ya!"
They came and joined us and one had a camera.

He had some remoras 3 feet long that did not like to be touched. I peered into the mouth as it pulsed open taking in 02 and krill. I could fit in there I thought.
Eventually the others rode him as well and still he stayed. We only snorkled and w/out noisy scuba he remained calm.
They left after awhile and I stayed on. I don't know the world record of time riding on a manta in one day.... but I was after it.

We eventually went pretty far away from the boat though and I relized that he didn't really need to return to it as I did. He felt perfectly at home in the deep, dark blue open water. I finally decided I'd better get off and start swimming back to the boat a few hundred yards away. It was spooky w/ no gun. I saw yellowfin tunas rocketing out of the gloom and past me so fast . Many were big and I shot several w/ my finger.

I made it back to the boat exhausted and very happy.
 Coolest thing I've ever done in the ocean!

That awsome ! We see them at the Hurricane bank when we go down there . Dont think I'd get in the water there . Makes me wish it was Jan already .Going down there on a 15 day . David

Wow, you really have some balls!  Sweet story and photo.

That is so cool just to be in the vicinity of one that big let alone get to go for a ride>

Those things look like UFOs underwater, and they need to let you ride, if they're not into it...see ya!