Science Name: | Makaira indicus |
Other Names: | Pacific black marlin, giant black marlin (Hawaii), white marlin (Japan) |
Ideal Temp: | 70 to 85 |
World Record: | 1560 lbs. Peru |
Environment: | offshore |
Techniques: | Heavy-tackle trolling |
Range: | Found in the Indian and Pacific oceans. |
Female larger than the male, males rarely exceed 300 pounds, females can weigh up to 700 pounds.
Large black marlin are known to feed on squid, scad, mackerel tuna, frigate mackerel, and tuna.
The black's immense strength and exceptional size makes it a favored target among big-game fishermen. A fight with one of these fish can last for hours, wearing severely on the angler as well as the tackle. Anglers commonly troll brightly colored lures or rigged baitfish to catch this species. Other popular techniques include kite fishing (where baits are suspended at the surface from flying kites) and heavy-tackle fly fishing. Commercial fishing has put a strain on numerous black marlin fisheries worldwide. As a result of the depleted stocks, many sport fisherman are now tagging and releasing their catches.
The firm, white meat is highly prized in Japan's sushi market, but banned in parts of Australia for its high selenium and mercury content.