A 746-pound blue marlin was pulled from the waters off Cabo San Lucas on Tuesday, a day before the annual big-money Bisbee's Black & Blue marlin tournament was set to begin.
The massive billfish, which died less than an hour into the fight, was caught aboard the Tracy Ann out of Pisces Sportfishing.
Had the same fish been caught during the Bisbee's event, which is billed as the world's richest billfish tournament, it could have been worth a few million dollars.
According to the Pisces blog, the marlin was hooked less than two miles offshore on the Pacific side of the Baja California peninsula. A more specific location was withheld, presumably, because of the impending three-day tournament and a desire to keep top fishing locations secret.
Florida anglers Patrick Neville, his wife Jean, and Thomas Heinz and his wife Penny were credited with the catch. The 31-foot Tracy Ann is captained by popular skipper Julio Castro.
It took nearly two hours to raise the marlin after it had sounded and perished. Oddly, the marlin lacked a bill.
Late last month, a significantly larger marlin was caught off Cabo San Lucas after a 28-hour fight.
The Black & Blue runs through Friday.
-- Image showing Florida anglers posing with 746-pound blue marlin caught Tuesday off Cabo San Lucas is courtest of Pisces Sportfishing
Please note in the article that the fish unfortunately died during the fight. This can happen with large marlin like this due to shock, stress, or a tail wrap.
I agree with you that there is no reason to kill a fish like this or any other sport fish and that they need to be protected, you see, I am the angler that cought it. I am also a long standing member of the IGFA, I sport protected FL license plates on my vehicles which cost additional yearly for proceeds to go to FL fisheries for their protection. The Pieces fleet I use in Los Cabo is a catch and release fleet who over the last ten years I have personally caught 3 blue marlin, over 40 striped marlin and multiple sailfish, all of which were released succesfully.
With that said, there was no one more disapointed than me when we realized the fish had perished.
Posted by: Patrick Neville | Oct 25, 2011 at 09:46 AM
Such a beautiful fish? And WHY did you kill it?? Ever heard of catch and release!!!! Whats wrong with you people! I fish almost every few days, and catch and release many large Snook, Tarpon, Red fish and more.
There is not a good enoght reason to kill a fish like this. Just think of all the enjoyment others will have catching it. You better find away to protect and save these fish so they can keep breeding or one day there will be none left to catch like this and as large as this.
Posted by: Gary | Oct 20, 2011 at 11:26 AM