Blue Marlin

QUICK GUIDE

Target Species: Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans)

Other Common Names: ocean gar, billfish, aguja (Spanish), nishikuru (Japanese)

Identification: Top cobalt blue shading to silvery white on bottom. Elongated upper jaw in form of spear. Front end of dorsal fin pointed without spots and much higher than the rest of the dorsal fin. .Lateral line reticulated (interwoven like a net) and very faint in large specimens. Embedded scales cover body ending with one or two sharp points. About 15 pale blue vertical bars on side of body.

Biological Info: Open, deep water fish. Make trans-Atlantic migrations. Possibly live up to 15 years, but usually less than 10 years.

Geographical Range: Primarily found in temperate and tropical regions from around 44º N to 30º S. Found throughout eastern and western Australian waters as far south as Tasmania.

Favored Water Temp.: 70-86 degrees Fahrenheit

Size: Maximum length five meters. Females may weigh up to 2000 lbs; males no more than 400 lbs.

IGFA Record: 1,402 lbs Atlantic, Vitoria, Brazil; 1,376 lbs Pacific, Kona, Hawaii.

Sporting characteristics: Extremely strong fighter. Can fight deep below surface but also capable of long sizzling runs on the surface as well as head shaking jumps.

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.

Fishing methods: Trolling with artificial baits including large plastics at 8-12 knots as well as fresh dead bait and live bait.

Top Spots: Hawaii, New Zealand, Venezuela, Florida.

Conservation: Catch and release. Circle hooks rigged properly reduce injury risk for the fish. Minimize handling.