Texas Gulf Coast Fishing

Blue Marlin

BLUE MARLIN - Makaira nigricans

Description: Color cobalt blue on top shading to silvery white on bottom; upper jaw elongated in form of a spear; dorsal fin pointed at front end; pectoral fin and anal fin pointed; lateral line reticulated (interwoven like a net), difficult to see in large specimens; no dark spots on dorsal fin; body covered with imbedded scales ending in one or two sharp points.
Similar fish: White Marlin, T. albidus (white has rounded dorsal at front end, rounded tip of pectoral and anal fins, and spots on the dorsal fin).
Where found: OFFSHORE, a bluewater fish. Size: largest of the Atlantic marlins, common to 11 feet, known to exceed 2,000 pounds.
Remarks: All of trophy size are females; males do not exceed 300 pounds; make trans-Atlantic migrations; spawning procedures unknown; feeds on squid and pelagic fishes, including Blackfin Tuna and Frigate Mackerel.