Science Name: | Tetrapturus audax |
Other Names: | striper, Pacific striper, barred marlin, spikefish |
Ideal Temp: | 65 to 75 |
World Record: | 494 lbs. New Zealand |
Environment: | offshore |
Most striped marlin are taken by trolling artificial lures in areas they are known to inhabit. Blind strikes are generally the rule, but one can occasionally tempt a "finner" or "sleeper" (marlin swimming along the surface) to strike if lures are trolled past the fish. Live bait also works well but requires more effort since the fish must usually be first spotted visually. Once a striped marlin is located, the angler should cast a bait in front of and past the fish so it can be reeled back towards the animal. Strikes usually result from properly presented live bait. Most striped marlin anglers prefer Pacific mackerel as bait.
Where to Find
Striped marlin occur in tropical and warm temperature waters of the Indian and
Pacific Oceans.
Habitat
Striped marlin will migrate seasonally with warm water. They roam in deep waters
and congregate near such baitfish-producing bottom structures as continental
shelves, canyons, and reefs.
Feeding Habits
The food of striped marlin is predominately fishes, squid, crabs and shrimp. The
latter three make up lesser portions of the diet than do fish. The spear of the
marlin is sometimes used both as a weapon for defense and as an aid in capturing
food. Wooden boats frequently have been rammed by billfish, and in one instance
the spear penetrated 18.5 inches of hardwood 14.5 inches of which was oak.
When it uses its bill in capturing food, the striped marlin sometimes stuns its
prey by slashing sideways with the spear rather than impaling its victim, as
some believe.