Fishermen Reel In 9-Foot Marlin In Icy Oregon Waters In 75-Minute Battle

A family fishing trip turned into a once-in-a-lifetime event when a Vancouver father and his two sons hooked a rare 9-foot marlin off the Oregon coast; a place where catching such a tropical fish is considered nearly impossible.

Striped marlin caught off Oregon Coast by tuna fishermen on boat Afishionado, showing its long bill and blue stripes

Kevin Watkins and his sons, Parker, 24, and Preston, 20, along with friend Brett Stone, 21, were tuna fishing nearly 50 miles offshore from Garibaldi when the massive striped marlin took their line.

According to Watkins, the colossal fish towed their 27-foot boat, the Afishionado, for over three miles. The fight was a grueling 75-minute team effort, made even more difficult because they were using light tuna fishing gear not meant for a fish this size.

“It whizzed off on a five- or six-hundred-foot run straight away. It wasn’t stopping,” said Parker Watkins. “We knew we couldn’t lose it. No one was going to believe us.”

Fishermen Reel In 9-Foot 'Unicorn' Marlin In Icy Oregon Waters In 75-Minute Battle

After successfully landing the 160.5-pound marlin, they took photos and videos to document their unbelievable catch before taking it back to shore to share with friends and family.

What Is A Striped Marlin?

The Striped Marlin (Kajikia audax) is a highly migratory, warm-blooded predator known for its incredible speed and acrobatic fights when hooked. They are easily identified by their long, spear-like upper jaw (bill) and distinctive blue stripes that can light up when hunting.

These fish are built for the open ocean (pelagic) and are typically found in tropical and subtropical waters where surface temperatures range from 68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. The waters off Oregon, which average a chilly 55 degrees, are far outside their normal range.

The Striped Marlin is the most common marlin found off Southern California but is still a rare prize for anglers. They can grow up to 14 feet long, weigh over 450 pounds, and live for nearly 20 years. Their primary diet consists of smaller fish and squid.

Conservation Status and Rarity

While the Striped Marlin is not currently classified as endangered, its unexpected presence in Oregon is what makes this catch so extraordinary. Scientists consider such events "anomalies" that are often linked to unusual ocean current patterns or larger trends like climate change, which can temporarily push warm water and the species that follow it far north of their usual habitats.

The appearance of a tropical marlin in cold Oregon waters is a shocking event for the fishing community, equivalent to seeing a whale in a river. It underscores the dynamic and changing nature of the ocean's ecosystems.

Catching one this far north is a historic event that most anglers will never experience in their lifetime, making the Watkins family's story a true fisherman's legend.

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