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Common names:
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Pacific Blue Marlin, Blue Marlin
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Maximum weight:
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2,600 lbs
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I.G.F.A. record:
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1,400 lb lbs on 130 lb test
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Pectoral Fins:
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Fins fold flat along body.
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Identifying features:
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Back is a dark blue with light blue
stripes. These stripes consist of small
dots and bars. Belly is a silver white.
Lateral line generally does not show in
adults.
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Temperature range:
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70°F to 82°F
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Typical location:
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Blue Marlin are considered to be amongst
the apex predators, living at the top of
the open ocean food chain. They travel
the length and breadth of the oceans of
the world. They are the world's least
studied pelagic fishes.
In Hawaii the fish remained in water
that ranged on average from 78°F to
82°F, preferring the warmer
temperatures.
They forage near the surface in warm
mixed layers of temperate and tropical
seas. They feed on an assortment of
epipelagic organisms. Acoustic telemetry
indicates Blue Marlin prefer the surface
lens of the water column and remain
above the thermo cline most of the time.
Blue Marlin are often caught along the
continental shelf drop off, ocean
mountains and canyons, current and weed
lines. Gatherings of bait schools such
as tuna, mahi-mahi and squid are likely
Pacific Blue Marlin haunts.
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Fighting characteristics:
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Very strong and exceptionally fast fish
which can test not only the angler and
tackle but the entire crew. The capture
of a large Blue is definitely a team
effort. Usually fights deeper than a
Black or Striped Marlin. Large Blues
will often spool large reels in a very
short amount of time. Will continually
reverse direction which makes capturing
Blues more difficult for the boat driver
than other billfish.
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