.png)
This is more than just a great big fish story! First time out on their boat the “Afishionado” from Garibaldi and they hook up with a big one. From left, Brett Stone, Parker Watkins, Preston Watkins, and Kevin Watkins, of Vancouver, Wash., hold a 160.5-pound, 9-foot-2-inch striped marlin at the Garibaldi dock that they landed while tuna fishing 50 miles offshore on Aug. 30, 2025.
(From Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife)
Marlin off the Oregon Coast?
Billfish like striped marlin aren’t a regular sight here—but when warm currents move north and baitfish are plentiful, these powerful predators sometimes make their way within reach of Oregon’s recreational fleets. Four striped marlin were caught off Oregon between Friday, Aug. 29 and Sunday, Aug. 31 2025.
About striped marlin (Kajikia audax – formerly Tetrapturus audax):
• Famous for their speed, leaps, and fights on the line.
• Distinctive with tall dorsal fins and shimmering blue stripes.
• Can reach over 12 feet long and weigh 450+ lbs.
• Feed on mackerel, sardines, anchovies, and squid.
• Live throughout the tropical & subtropical Pacific, usually in 68–77°F waters.
Regulations:
Striped marlin may be kept by recreational anglers, but they are not sold commercially on the West Coast. They are managed by NOAA Fisheries, the Pacific Fishery Management Council, and international commissions to ensure sustainable populations.
So, while they’re rare off Oregon, keep an eye on the ocean—sometimes conditions line up just right, and marlin show up where you least expect them!