Blue Marlin
~ the Atlantic Ocean’s Big Brother of all Marlins
The blue marlin is a very strong and fierce fighter. It’s the largest of the Atlantic marlins and one of the largest billfish in the world’s oceans. Belonging to the Istiophoridae family of billfish, it’s one of the top game-fish hunted by big-game anglers, deeply depleted and exploited by commercial long liners. It’s the most widely distributed, preferring warm and temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Characteristics Like all other marlins, the body of this fish is elongated and compressed. The upper jaw is long extending in the form of a spear. The scales are thin, thorn-like and the tail is large, deeply forked. The pectoral fins are not rigid and can be folded flat. The dorsal and anal fin is high and pointed. The back is dark-blue with silvery white belly and sides. There’re light-blue vertical stripes on both sides of the body though not so obvious as the striped marlin. All-Tackle Record Blue marlin can exceed 2,000 lbs. in weight and 14 ft. in length, though the average rod and reel caught are 200-500 lbs. and about 10 ft. in length. Females are larger than males. On record they’re listed separately by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA). The all-tackle world record is an Atlantic blue of 1,402 lbs. caught off Brazil in 1992. The Pacific record is 1,376 lbs. caught off Hawaii in 1982. Lifespan The lifespan is believed to be over 20 years but due to over-fishing commercially for its excellent meat, fish over 10 years is no more common. Places to Find Them Blue marlin is highly migratory following warmer waters offshore. Likely places to find them are current lines that attract lot of baitfish, drop-offs, ridges and canyons, usually over deep blue-water. Often, they travel alone. Diet They’re not choosy on food which they require in big amount. Assorted tuna, squid, mackerel and mahi-mahi or dolphin fish are some of their diet. Fishing Methods Trolling and drifting are the best fishing methods. Bottom-fishing with heavy sinkers are sometimes used when fish are located deep. Whole live-baits like bonito, mackerel, mullet, ballyhoo, dolphin and squid are very effective, so are trolling with whole dead-baits combined with plastic squid. Trolling with artificial lures like the Kona-heads can be highly successful too. Fly fishing for the blues is possible with today’s highly developed fly equipment. Tackle Sturdy tackle with a reel capable of carrying 600-800 yds of the best line available is a must to handle this strong, acrobatic and hard running fighter. Knots need to be well-tied with a heavy wire or strong nylon trace to form the terminal tackle, together with a strong flat forged hook of # 8/0-12/0. Majority of the blue marlin caught by big-game sport fishing anglers are tagged and release. Although they’re not yet in the list of endangered species, it’s quite worrying as hooking on to a trophy size of a 1,000 lbs is getting rare. Conservation is much needed and urgent. back to top:
Blue Marlin
Marlin Fishing
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