White Marlin
The White Marlin (Tetrapturus albidus) is a highly
prized big-game fish by anglers because of it's reputation for being spectacularly
hard-fighting. They strike hard and make fast runs with many jumps during the fight.
The White Marlin is greenish blue above and
silvery-white below. The dorsal fin and anal fin are rounded and the bright blue dorsal
fin has black or purple spots between the rays. They reach lengths in excess of 7 feet and
weights over 100 pounds.
The White Marlin is an opportunistic carnivore eating
anything that they can capture. They will readily hit almost any natural or artificial
bait. Trolling at or close to the surface is the usual technique for taking a white. Live
or dead fish, such as mullet, mackerel, herring, and squid along with lures such as Kona
Heads, feathered jigs, and plastic squids will work.
As with all billfish, they must be handled carefully
when brought along side the boat to be hauled onboard or released, because the bill can
inflict serious wounds. It's best to wear gloves to protect your hands when handling the
fish as it's bill is very rough.
Texas Gulf Coast
Fishing
