Fishing is a fun pastime and a great way to spend quality time with loved ones. A father and son pair were doing just that on Wednesday October 12, 2022, off the Jersey Shore near Belmar when they got more than the striped bass and tuna they were aiming for. A giant humpback whale breached just inches from their vessel.
Zach Piller, the son, captured the unforgettable moment on video. Moments before the whale appears, small fish jump from the ocean. You can hear Zach’s excitement and curse words in the background.
The weather was great that day. Zach told NBC News, it was above 70 degrees and the water was calm and glassy. This time of year, the vast amounts of small fish near the shore attract whales who feed on them.
Zach and his father were on an 18-foot Starcraft. Zach’s father built the vessel himself. He docks it in a marina in Belmar.
Eric Otjen, a SeaWorld San Diego vice president of zoological operations, told NBC News that witnessing a humpback whale breaching the water from afar is normal, but it usually does not happen that close to a boat. “The feeding part is common," he said. "Being that close to the boat is not. You probably have a better chance of winning the lottery. It popped up where it popped up.”
Watch Zach's video to witness this rare occurrence for yourself.
