South African Fishermen’s Epic Battle: Reeling in a 97st 12ft Sea Monster

A group of fishermen off the coast of the Cape Verdes islands recently embarked on a remarkable fishing adventure, unwittingly encountering a colossal sea creature. After a grueling half-hour struggle, the trio successfully hauled in a massive blue marlin, weighing nearly 100 stone (1,370 pounds). This remarkable catch ranks as the second-largest blue marlin ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean.

The group of friends, Ben Vorster, Gerhardt Vorster, and Michiel Ross, all from South Africa, had spent six days fishing near the Cape Verdes islands when they hooked the enormous marlin on the morning of May 19. The fish, which rose to the bait just 15 minutes after they started fishing, put up an intense fight but never leaped out of the water, leaving the fishermen uncertain of its size.
Ben Vorster, known for his strength and experience as a farmer and big game hunter, displayed exceptional skill in battling the massive fish. After a gripping half-hour struggle, the friends successfully brought the marlin onboard their boat, unaware of its true size until then. Upon lifting the blue marlin onto the deck, the trio was awestruck by its sheer size. The fish was estimated to weigh 97 stone (1,370 pounds), with the weight marked on its body as 1370 lbs (97 st). The boat, burdened by the immense catch, made its way back to the marina, where the fishermen could properly assess their extraordinary achievement. This exceptional blue marlin catch ranks as the second-largest ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean. The Cape Verdes islands, situated off the coast of Senegal and Mauritania, have gained a reputation as a prime destination for blue marlin fishing. Fishermen from around the world flock to the archipelago each year, attracted by the bountiful marlin population. Ben Vorster, accompanied by his brothers Gerhardt and Michiel, fulfilled a lifelong dream with this remarkable catch. The trio, passionate marlin fishermen and boat owners, were elated by the success of their fishing expedition. Steve Andrews, a friend of the boat’s captain, expressed his admiration for Ben’s skills and described the Cape Verde area as a spectacular blue marlin fishery. The tale of the three South African fishermen’s half-hour battle to reel in a colossal blue marlin off the Cape Verdes islands highlights the thrill and challenges of deep-sea fishing. Their exceptional catch, weighing nearly 100 stone, adds to the legends of remarkable fishing experiences. The waters near the Cape Verdes islands continue to allure anglers from around the world in pursuit of their own awe-inspiring catches.