Saltwater Fish Guide

Target Species: Albacore (Thunnus alalunga)

Fishing methods: Locate schools by trolling artificial baits (feather jigs very effective) at 8-12 knots. Then drift or anchor with live bait. Great top water action with lures and flies close to boat. See Albacore

Target Species: Black Marlin (Makaira indica)

Fishing methods: Trolling large, brightly colored artificial lures as well as fresh dead and live baits. Kite fishing dead whole baits. Heavy tackle fly fishing. See Black Marlin

Target Species: Bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus)

Fishing methods:
Atlantic Ocean: trolling plastic squid on spreader bars and chunking at anchor.
Pacific Ocean: Trolling artificial lures and live bait drifted or at anchor. See Bluefin tuna

Target Species: Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans)

Food & Feeding Habits: Prefer mackerel, tuna, squid and dolphin (dorado) but are voracious eaters and generally eat what is available. Generally near surface and day time feeders but have been known to feed at night and to seek prey well below surface. Appear to use bill to stun prey. See Blue Marlin

Target Species: Sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus)

Top Spots: Puerto Quetzal & Puerto San Jose, Guatemala, year round but especially from mid-November through early May; Quepos, Costa Rica late April through September; Isla Mujeres January-March; Sebastian to West Palm Beach, Florida, November-January. See Sailfish

Target Species: Striped Marlin (Tetrpturus audax)

Sporting characteristics: Noted for it's fantastic jumps superb fighting abilities especially on light to medium tackle. Lights up when excited. See Striped Marlin

Target Species: Swordfish (Xiphias gladius)

Size: Males almost always under 200 lbs (90 kg). Females up to 15 feet (4.5 m) and 1400 lbs. (640 kg). Pacific broadbills are larger than Atlantic and Mediterranean which reach 700 lbs and 500 lbs respectively. See Swordfish

Target Species: Wahoo (Acanthocybium solanderi)

Top Spots: Vatulele & Beqa off the Coral Coast of the Fiji Islands, May-August. Hawaii, June-August. Bermuda, May-August. See Wahoo

Target Species: White Marlin (Tetrapterus albidus)

Food & Feeding Habits: Wide ranging diet depending on availability but favor herring, sardines and squid. Will hunt together in small groups to herd prey into tight ball for feeding. See White Marlin