Anglers and crew fishing off Costa Rica on Tuesday were astonished to discover that a large marlin they hooked and landed was completely white.
The extremely rare catch of an albino blue marlin was made aboard the Spanish Fly, a 43-foot yacht that runs from Maverick Sportfishing out of Los Suenos, on the Central American country’s Pacific side. (It could be that the marlin was leucistic, not a true albino, but just about everyone has been referring to the billfish as a true or partial albino.)
The boat was captained by Juan Carlos Fallas Zamora, with mates Carlos Pollo Espinoza Jimenez and Roberto Chelato Salinas Hernandez. The clients were Bob and Karen Weaver, from New York. Karen reeled the billfish to leader after a 90-minute fight, after which it was carefully released by the crew.
The boat’s regular captain, Daniel Espinoza, posted the accompanying photos on his Facebook page, saying the group “Had an amazing day and confusión. Caught one Blue Marlin alvino, first time I hear of one. Congratulations on that great job.”
Sportfishing report announced the catch on its Facebook page in all caps: “SUPER RARE ALBINO BLUE MARLIN!!!”
Red.Rum Sportfishing, based in Cabo San Lucas, shared the photos under the heading: “RARE ALBINO BLUE MARLIN!”
The Espinozas and Weavers were pre-fishing before a major tournament on Wednesday and unavailable for comment Wednesday.
Glen Mumford, owner of Maverick Sportfishing, said that his captains have seen albino sailfish, but never an albino marlin.
"It definitely was not a typical day," he said.
–Pete Thomas
–Photos are courtesy of Maverick Sportfishing
my wife has caught black marlin blue marlin, striped marlinand ahundred sail fish in her life this was a great monent in her life and Iwas there to share it with her
Posted by: robert weaver | Mar 16, 2014 at 11:21 AM
karen weaver caught and released a truly great marlin
Posted by: robert weaver | Mar 16, 2014 at 11:16 AM
All Sport Fish are catch and release in Costa Rica!!!
Posted by: jann | Mar 14, 2014 at 02:06 PM
Why dont you tree huggers do some research before you spew from the mouth.
Posted by: Master fisherman | Mar 14, 2014 at 10:18 AM
Albino blue marlin. YUMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Tom | Mar 13, 2014 at 09:52 PM
It says in the story that it was released. They released it promptly, according to the boat owner.
Posted by: Pete Thomas | Mar 13, 2014 at 10:49 AM
Was it released? The captain never confirms or denies the release. On the FB page, it just states the beauty was caught, but does not mention a release. This article does not appropriately attribute the release to a source. I want to see a concrete, appropriately cited statement that the Marlin was released.
Posted by: Joe Pug | Mar 13, 2014 at 10:01 AM
I'm so glad they released it so it can breed more. Thanks for sharing that gift with the world, rather than keeping it and mounting it. That was truly a selfless act.
Posted by: Alon | Mar 13, 2014 at 09:00 AM
Yeah, go kill it and hang it on a wall you jackass.
Posted by: joe smith | Mar 13, 2014 at 08:55 AM
Congrats on the catch and release. Wonderful photos. I never heard of a white blue marlin... Albino or luciestic (sp) it's most assuredly rare sight. Thank you so much for sharing the photos and releasing the creature for others to see and find in the wild! You rock!
Posted by: Leslie McCormack | Mar 13, 2014 at 08:08 AM
@Danny you are why sportsfishing and hunting suck. Why can't you let a treasure like this stay in the wild where others can enjoy its presence? It does not need to caught and mounted in your store. I hope you catch only baitfish.
Posted by: Betty | Mar 13, 2014 at 07:38 AM
You're the one that needs stuffing pal. Loser!
Posted by: Jack Forrester | Mar 13, 2014 at 06:42 AM
Was it put back in the ocean?? i do hope so.
Posted by: Arthur Loev | Mar 13, 2014 at 05:40 AM
Gary Henry. I hoping that the name I'm about to give this rare beauty will forever be recognized as the Blue Diamond Marlin. This name perfectly describes this rare glimmering gem of the sea.
Posted by: Gary Henry | Mar 13, 2014 at 05:25 AM
You don't mount a rare fish in your showroom, you release it!!! Hopefully you won't be
successful during your trip to Costa Rica.
Posted by: Gail Walker | Mar 13, 2014 at 04:34 AM
Congrats to capt and crew and anglers. Just so happen I own fish unlimited taxidermy in New York never seen one of these before! I am actually going to Costa Rica on 27 th of this month. Would love to catch this beauty again!! Imagine that!! For sure this mount would be in my showroom! Can't wait!!
Posted by: Danny | Mar 12, 2014 at 09:08 PM