Sailfish Extravaganza Under the Boat

We had the pleasure of meeting the renowned National Geographic photographer Paul Nicklen a few years ago
on a cruise to Baffin Island. He lives in Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory (how
neat is that!) and is world famous for his arctic photos, many taken under icebergs.
For these incredible pictures of sailfish feeding, he simply slipped off of a power
boat and sank a few feet under the surface off of Isla Mujeres, Mexico, in the Straits
of Yucatan. These photos and many more appear in the September issue of National
Geographic. We offer them to you because it reminds us of why there is no sport
in the world quite like boating.

This is an actual picture taken just below the surface off Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Oh, if only we could have been there (with rod and reel, of course).

Sailfish work together to head baitfish – in this case, sardines – into a ball.

The prey panic and school together evidently instinctively as if there is safety in numbers.

Marine scientist and painter Guy Harvey says that the baitfish are herded much like wolves round up caribou.

A ball of baitfish, some wounded, on the surface roiling the waters and soon to be eaten.

Sailfish on the prowl on the surface. Where is the green meanie?

Now the secret is out – Guy Harvey paintings are as realistic as they come.

Note the snack in the sailfish mouth. Nicklen says that the sailfish stay until they have fished off the entire ball. So much for safety in numbers.

Photographs by Paul Nicklen