This is one fishing trip this angler will never forget. Or, maybe he hopes to never relive!
A terrifying video is going viral that captured one angler’s near-death experience during a boating trip in the Gulf of Mexico, as some across social media called it his “lucky day.”
The near-fatal freak accident happened onboard the Jubilee as part of the Fairhope Fishing Company’s expedition on Monday, where the crew confronted a massive blue marlin that shot out of the water and launched towards the fisherman’s neck.
The short clip shows one of the seven men on board the vessel reeling in the catch while the marlin flails up and out of the water, attempting to break free of the fishing line.
@fairhope_fishing_company Close call on the Jubilee today. Thankfully everyone was ok. #bluemarlin #offshorefishing #bluewater #jubilee #gulfofmexico #bluemarlinfishing #deltahouse @LongBeard @Outlaw Mile Hi Light Beer #outlawbeer
As you can see from the clip, in an instant the massive fish hops onto the boat and nearly pierces another man standing off to the side who screams as the marlin pushes him to the deck and slides back into the ocean.
The viral encounter has been viewed over 20 million times since the fishing company posted it on Tuesday.
“Almost took that straight (through) the brain,” pointed out one commenter.
“That Marlin ain’t go out without a fight, nor without taking one with him,” wrote another.
“Watch it in slow motion it was definitely his lucky day,” a third viewer said, to which Fairhope responded, “Understatement.”
“I think he thought he was dead…,” a fourth said.
This guy is lucky he was able to walk away. The Times of India reported in February 2022 that a black marlin — killed a fisherman off the coast of India after getting trapped in his net, piercing his stomach.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration blue marlin can grow up to anywhere between 11 to 16 feet and can weigh a staggering 2,000 pounds, and are aggressive apex predators with immense power known for jumping high in the air when caught.