Garibaldi OTC - Leatherback turtle spotted

Reel Obsession · 08-26-2007, 09:05 AM

Ok, so this is mainly for Odin, who said "until I see a photo, I have to call this one BS..."

Fished the OTC yesterday on Second Season and had a great time. Seas settled down very nicely, and if the jumpers would have been a little more cooperative, it would have been a perfect day.

We saw many mola mola yesterday, then a surprise. We saw what looked at a distance to be another ocean sunfish. Treb and I kept looking at it as we trolled by and he finally said "what the heck is that???" Then this mola mola raised it's head and we realized it wasn't a mola mola, but a leatherback turtle. We pulled gear, and circled around for a better look. It would raise it's head to give us a look once in a while, then go back to eating a huge jelly fish. Very cool. Can't tell it in the photos, but this thing was HUGE! We thought it was over 8' long, but some research tells me they usually grow to about 7', and in the northern pacific, and just as we witnessed, feed on jelly fish. Also endangered so no turtle soup...

So, I included a couple photos, one of a real mola mola we saw yesterday, and then a couple of the turtle. In the last photo you can see some of the jelly fish in it's mouth.

Something Good · 08-26-2007, 09:25 AM

That's incredible! Thanks for sharing the pics.

Smoked Salmon · 08-26-2007, 09:26 AM

Good thing Roy wasn't there, he might have hooked on a tow rope and gone for a ride!

Masty · 08-26-2007, 09:26 AM

Great photos!!

jaxflyfish · 08-26-2007, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reel Obsession

Ok, so this is mainly for Odin, who said "until I see a photo, I have to call this one BS..."

Fished the OTC yesterday on Second Season and had a great time. Seas settled down very nicely, and if the jumpers would have been a little more cooperative, it would have been a perfect day.

We saw many mola mola yesterday, then a surprise. We saw what looked at a distance to be another ocean sunfish. Treb and I kept looking at it as we trolled by and he finally said "what the heck is that???" Then this mola mola raised it's head and we realized it wasn't a mola mola, but a leatherback turtle. We pulled gear, and circled around for a better look. It would raise it's head to give us a look once in a while, then go back to eating a huge jelly fish. Very cool. Can't tell it in the photos, but this thing was HUGE! We thought it was over 8' long, but some research tells me they usually grow to about 7', and in the northern pacific, and just as we witnessed, feed on jelly fish. Also endangered so no turtle soup...

So, I included a couple photos, one of a real mola mola we saw yesterday, and then a couple of the turtle. In the last photo you can see some of the jelly fish in it's mouth.

Very Very Cool!!!!

tracker · 08-26-2007, 10:21 AM

Heard the call while we were out there. Good to see the pics!

Reel Creel · 08-26-2007, 10:47 AM

Thats a real treat. Its wild thats up hear.

5-Cents · 08-26-2007, 12:10 PM

Thats really cool - yet another reason to add to the 1,000,000,000,000 reasons to fish in the ocean!

HiTekRdNek · 08-26-2007, 12:20 PM

Very cool! Thanks for sharing. I have my fingers crossed someday I might get a chance at having such an encounter.

Sea Jypzee · 08-26-2007, 12:35 PM

Saw one of those in '03 Tuna fishing about 25 miles out from Depoe Bay. Had Keta, Sturgeon Tom, and DriftR onboard. (peeked back in the archives!

). They are truely a sight to behold, and seeing one in the wild like that is something most people will never be able to experience and enjoy.

Great Pictures. Wish I'd have been able to get pics of the one we saw.

crazyinoregon · 08-26-2007, 01:24 PM

awesome photos, thanks for sharing

Nordic Sun · 08-26-2007, 01:55 PM

OK OK !

I'm sorry! That is just, way too cool.

I'm so glad you had your camera with you, and took a break from the tournament fishing, to take those great photos.

I was fortunate enough to capture this rare picture of this not so endangered specie.........The Common Cotton Back Turtle

Bob

ron m · 08-26-2007, 02:54 PM

Yep, sea turtles eat jellyfish.

One of the scenes emblazoned in my memory is from off the Florida Keys over 30 years ago.

The ocean was dead flat, not even a ripple and we were at the edge of the gulfstream. There were quite a few turtles feeding on Man O'War jellyfish, the kind that really hurt when you get stung by them. The Man O'War has a blue bulb a little llarger than a softball, I think it's called their sail. The turtles were at the surface, popping the sail, then eating it and the part just below the surface. Way cool to see and the only time I ever saw it happening, though I only got to the keys once a year and it was rarely that calm.

I saw turtles in the gulf of Mexico and in the Atlantic, but never as many at one time and never in such a memorable scene.
ron m

Metal Manipulator · 08-26-2007, 03:25 PM

Fantastic!!!

Thanks for sharing. This a real treat in our waters.

Fish-a-Holic · 08-26-2007, 03:29 PM

To cool!! Right on, you saw a serious treat and then we get in on it through your pics. Thanks for sharing!!

Salty Walty · 08-26-2007, 06:31 PM

That is one of the coolest photos that I have seen here.

Thank you very much for sharing it.

Elkhunter · 08-26-2007, 06:53 PM

Great pics, It's still hard to believe even after proof. Good Job!

Bait O' Eggs · 08-26-2007, 06:57 PM

I saw one today, but wasnt sure what it was at the time???? after seeing your picture it is the same back structure with the ridges on it.

We were not real close to it, and I saw the rippled back and we all questioned what it was, and I concluded it must have been a fin on a humpback of something. It never raised its head, and then it went under the water and we couldnt see it anymore.

Wish I would have circled back and got a pic now :frown:

CR dog · 08-26-2007, 07:39 PM

I've seen them here at the CR the last 2 yrs. The first time I though who is dumping 55 gal barrels in the ocean? Once I approached closer the head pop out and was just amazed at the size of this turtle. They are just incredible animals. When the jellyfish get thick is the best chance to see them up north.

jacksalmon · 08-26-2007, 07:43 PM

[
Great photos, thanks! I decided to look up some info on these guys. The article says that they range from Alaska all the way down to Chile and southern New Zealand, but are most commonly found in the tropics and sub-tropics. However, it was interesting that the article said that they are also found off the Columbia River feeding in the nutrient rich North Pacific. So, maybe, we'll see more. Pretty cool sight, though.

seasquid · 08-26-2007, 08:34 PM

Those are terrific photos. Those turtlesb are indeed rare in this neck of the woods. I saw one about 20 years about 5 miles outside of Yaquina Bay. Congrats on the rare sighting.

ss

Reel Obsession · 08-26-2007, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ODIN

I was fortunate enough to capture this rare picture of this not so endangered specie.........The Common Cotton Back Turtle

Bob

Hey Bob, thanks for temporarily blinding me..... I was surprised to see how many views there were on this post. Thought it was great that so many took the time to view the photos. Then I saw your reply and photo, and now I'm confused and concerned about what really might be creating the stir....... Could it just be Tracker being the butt of yet another good joke?

Tim

marthagofish · 08-26-2007, 10:07 PM

Thanks for the totally awsome pictures!

corrirod · 08-27-2007, 08:32 AM

We saw it that afternoon of the tournament and it was really big. I'll be you all of 6-7'. We tried to get closer but he dove and disappeared. We watched him for several minutes though from about 30 yards. What a beautiful creature! First one I've seen in many hours out there.

CATCH AND EAT · 08-27-2007, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ODIN

OK OK !

I'm sorry! That is just, way too cool.

I'm so glad you had your camera with you, and took a break from the tournament fishing, to take those great photos.

I was fortunate enough to capture this rare picture of this not so endangered specie.........The Common Cotton Back Turtle

Bob

Hey a new hat! And man I am glad he had his undies pulled up. Must be just an intern.

Man you have to keep your wits about you at these functions don't ya. Close call Dave.

Reel Obsession · 08-28-2007, 08:03 AM

Thanks for all the feedback guys. This has created a bit of a stir with a couple turtle/marine organizations contacting me and asking for more information and photos. A bit worried as I THINK they are interested in the leatherback, but it could be the Notorious Cotton Back they are looking for.

SeaSparrow · 08-31-2007, 07:55 AM

Looks like it made it into the local KGW news!
http://www.kgw.com/news-local/storie....86f1efb3.html

More ammo for the marine sanctuary proponents?