Rebecca Jones, an amateur fisherwoman from Tillamook, Oregon, may have broken a world record while angling for rockfish on April Fool’s Day. Jones, who described herself as self-taught, began her fishing adventure by digging for sand shrimp and then headed to Barview Jetty near Garibaldi in hopes of catching rockfish for dinner. Instead, she ended up hauling in a monkeyface prickleback, a peculiar-looking fish she had never seen before. Monkeyface pricklebacks are not true eels but are often referred to as “monkeyface eels.” They can survive out of water for extended periods and are typically found in rocky, tidal areas.
The largest monkeyface prickleback on record weighed around 3 pounds and 4 ounces, caught in Newport, Oregon, in June 2008. Jones’s catch weighed 4.8 pounds, potentially breaking the world record. She has petitioned the International Game Fish Association to verify her achievement. Jones, who is relatively new to fishing, attributed her success to persistence and dedication, stating that she watched hunting and fishing videos and read books and magazines to improve her skills. She also follows Oregon fishing and hunting regulations closely and largely hunts and fishes alone.
Jones has been actively involved in hunting deer, elk, and bear for three years and is currently trying her hand at spring turkey season. Living in Tillamook, she takes advantage of opportunities for trout fishing, ocean fishing for salmon and rockfish, and crabbing and clamming. Jones expressed her passion for fishing, hunting, crabbing, and clamming, emphasizing the importance of passing these skills on to the next generation. She believes that encouraging women to engage in these activities can foster self-confidence and self-sufficiency.
Jones’s dedication to fishing has earned her recognition and admiration, with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife highlighting her achievements in a recent press release. She stated her desire to teach other women and encourage them to pursue outdoor activities like fishing, hunting, crabbing, and clamming. By sharing her knowledge and skills with others, Jones hopes to empower women to embrace the opportunities that Oregon offers and develop self-confidence through outdoor activities.
Overall, Rebecca Jones’s unexpected catch of a potential world record monkeyface prickleback showcases her determination, passion, and commitment to fishing and outdoor activities. Her story serves as an inspiration for other women to pursue their interests in fishing, hunting, and other outdoor pursuits. By utilizing resources like books, magazines, and online videos, Jones has honed her skills and become a successful fisherwoman in her own right. Through her experiences, she hopes to empower and encourage women to embrace outdoor activities and develop self-sufficiency and confidence.
