Isla San Marcos Sea Story 09-01-07 ¡OARFISH!

[Crackerjack]

Holy shit those are some very cool photos. I saw one once while on an oceanographic research vessel at the equator and 140 degrees longitude. It came up at night under the lights. Never seen anything like it.

Nice documentation of a rare event.

Looks nice and warm down there......

[BajaMarita]

I found this info on Oar Fish on Google.

Oarfish are large, greatly elongated, pelagic Lampriformfish comprising the small family Regalecidae.^[1] Found in all temperate to tropical oceans yet rarely seen, the oarfish family contains four species in two genera. One of these, the king of herrings (Regalecus glesne), is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest bony fish alive, at up to 11 metres in length.^{[citation needed]}
The common name oarfish is presumably in reference to either their highly compressed and elongated bodies or the shape and use of their pelvic fins. The family name Regalecidae is derived from the Latin regalis, meaning "royal". The occasional beachings of oarfish after storms, and their habit of lingering at the surface when sick or dying, have given oarfish a place in maritime folklore as the probable source of many sea serpent tales.
Although the larger species are considered game fish and are (to a minor extent) fished commercially, oarfish are rarely caught alive; their flesh is not well regarded due to its gelatinous consistency.

[Aleta]

Could be the coolest photos ever posted on BD - or any other fishing wesbite for that matter.

[squirtis]

Fantastic stuff.........you and your son are very lucky to witness that and thanks for sharing.

It's amazing what happens when you keep your eyes open in the ocean huh...

[ReDraGoN]

Originally Posted by The Notorious S.U.A

incredible, you might be the only person who has seen them alive and freeswimming...

i have to agree i dont even think they have video of this dragon swimming and yet u got PHOTOS!!! wow man amazing find and what are the chances that u happen to be in the SAME AREA AND THE SAME TIME these 2 were ready to surface!!

[Az.monkey]

Straight up good stuff right there, Michael, thank you for sharing your experience with us knuckleheads. trully a once in a lifetime shot

[nunyabizness1]

What an incredible looking fish! I enjoyed the pictures and post. Don't think I would want to run into one of those in my kayak!

[moz2121]

wow thats what being on the water is all about! great job bud

[W33kendFishin]

thats awsome

ive heard of em but never seen one before

[daniel-neill]

Now that is cool!

[fishingsolo]

Very cool!

[TRS]

Are you sure thats not a tape-worm gotten from under-cooked Carnitas?