Mystery Marlin Might Have Been a World Record

A Catch That Put Sebastian, FL on the Map

Every dockside in Florida has its legends. Here in Sebastian, one of the most talked-about stories doesn’t come from a tournament, a magazine spread, or an IGFA-certified plaque—it came from an ordinary charter trip with Captain Sonny Richards of AA Fishing Charter.

And it begins with a marlin so unusual, so hotly debated, that some say it could have been a world record.

From Mahi to Marlin: The Day Everything Changed

It was July 19, a warm morning offshore from Sebastian Inlet, when Captain Sonny and his crew set out with modest expectations. The plan? Troll for mahi in 100–120 feet of water about 17 miles out. Nothing fancy—just a spread of four baits running at six knots.

Then it happened.

A reel screamed to life. Line peeled off faster than expected. And when the fish finally showed itself, Sonny’s wife called out what she thought was a sailfish. But seconds later, everyone realized the truth:

It was a marlin. And not just any marlin—a giant.

A Battle Against the Odds

From the start, the fight was stacked against them. The marlin was hooked on a medium ballyhoo behind a pink chugger, tied to a 30–60 lb Crowder rod and a Shimano TLD25 spooled with 60 lb mono.

In short: undergunned tackle for a fish this size.

The marlin pulled so much drag it overheated the reel, cracking the housing. At one point, Captain Sonny had to cut and splice line onto another rod just to stay in the fight.

Every angler aboard took turns. They were sweating, exhausted, and certain the fish would be lost. But somehow, through persistence and grit, they inched it closer.

Finally, tail-wrapped and still surging, it took three grown men to heave the marlin onto the deck.

Blue or White? The Debate Begins

Back at Sebastian Saltwater Marina, the fish was weighed: 225 pounds. Its measurements were undeniable—130 inches in overall length, with a 101-inch lower jaw fork length.

But its identity was anything but clear.

• Its body markings and fin shape looked like a white marlin.
• Its size and head shape leaned strongly toward blue marlin.

If it truly was a white marlin, it would have shattered the current IGFA all-tackle record (181 pounds, set in Brazil in 1979) by nearly 45 pounds. It would have also beaten Florida’s long-standing state record, a 161-pounder caught in Miami in 1938, by more than 60 pounds.

Locals, biologists, and tournament anglers all weighed in with opinions. Some swore it was a blue. Others said the fin patterns and genetic markers suggested white. Without DNA testing, the verdict remains unsolved.

More Than Just a Fish Story

The marlin never made the record books—it was eaten instead. Fried, it wasn’t the crew’s favorite, but blackened? “Phenomenal,” said Captain Sonny.

What the fish left behind was something bigger than a mount or a certificate: a memory. Proof that even on a simple day trolling offshore Sebastian, you never know when history might swim by your bait spread.

Why Fish With AA Fishing Charter?

If one trip can turn into a record-breaking mystery, imagine what yours could bring. With AA Fishing Charter, you’ll find:

• Local knowledge – Captain Sonny Richards knows the waters off Sebastian Inlet inside and out.
• Proven determination – If he can land a marlin on busted gear, you can bet he’ll give his all to every trip.
• Unpredictable excitement – From mahi and grouper to sailfish, kingfish, cobia, and beyond—Sebastian’s offshore waters are full of surprises.

Your Turn to Make History

That marlin might always remain a mystery, but the one thing that’s certain? Unforgettable fishing happens every day off Sebastian.

So whether you’re chasing mahi for the table, grouper on the reefs, or hoping for a pelagic surprise that sparks dockside debate for years to come, AA Fishing Charter is ready to take you there.

📅 Book your trip today and write your own story on the waters where legends are made.