From left, Al Vesel, Shannon Wheeler, Jim Wheeler and Gabe Wheeler hold the 500-pound marlin they caught Feb. 6 off the coast of San Pedro, Belize. The fish measured 111 inches long.
It was a long fight, but well worth it. Jim Wheeler, his son Gabe, daughter in law Shannon, and friend Al Vesel, teamed to boat a whopping 500-pound, 111-inch blue marlin on Feb. 5 off the coast of San Pedro, Belize.
It was a long fight, but well worth it.
Jim Wheeler, his son Gabe, daughter in law Shannon, and friend Al Vesel, teamed to boat a whopping 500-pound, 111-inch blue marlin on Feb. 5 off the coast of San Pedro, Belize.
The foursome fought the fish for 2 hours and 48 minutes before finally winning the fight.
"All four of us reeled on it," Jim Wheeler said. "We gaffed it once it was on the side of the boat."
As for the next day, "I was pretty sore," he laughed.
He used 40-pound test line with a 200-pound liter, in part because it is not uncommon to hook sharks in the area, although landing such a big marlin this time of year is rare, Wheeler said.
They filleted off about 50 pounds in steaks back at shore, but the rest of the fish was left behind for the natives.
A replica mount of the fish would cost between $1,300 and $1,400, but Wheeler is unlikely to go that route.
"I don't think I have the wall space," he said. "It's a pretty big fish."
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