Black Marlin Habitats
February 20th, 2012Black marlin have a place in Black Marlin fishing folklore all of their own, as do blue marlin, and they have both been immortalized by writers like Ernest Hemmingway and Zane Grey. Almost exclusively existing in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of both the Pacific and Indian Oceans, the black marlin is a highly migratory, pelagic species of fish that are most commonly found in deep waters, though they rarely swim deeper than a hundred feet, near bottom structures such as continental shelves and reefs. The black marlin’s immense size and strength make it a favored target among many big-game fishermen.
Black Marlins vs. Blue Marlins
Black marlins are frequently confused with blue marlin, especially when the fish are less than 100 pounds in weight. However the pectoral fin on a black marlin does not fold back when pushed by hand whereas the blues does. The bill on a large black also tends to be shorter and heavier than that of a blue marlin. Along with the distinguishing trait of their dorsal fin being proportionately the lowest of any billfish (it stands just 50 percent of the fish’s body height), the black marlin is the only marlin with non-retractable fins.
Appearance
In terms of color, the black marlin possesses a slate hue that turns into a silver belly. When excited, the black marlin has been known to show off light blue stripes as well. Some researchers have noted that a few black marlins obtain a silvery haze over their bodies. This caused some in the pacific to mistakenly label them “silver marlins”. An enormous fish when mature, black marlins can reach lengths of up to 15 feet and weigh in at well over 1000 pounds. Most prize-winning black marlin that are caught a female, however, as it is extremely rare for a male black marlin to weigh more than 300 pounds. A black marlin’s diet consists of dolphin, squid, octopuses, swordfish, and tuna. It has been proven through stomach analysis that these fish use their long, sharp bills to conquer and eat their prey.
Fishing for Black Marlin
Once on the line, a black marlin can fight for hours, wearing heavily on the anglers who are fortunate enough to hook one. Once hooked, black marlin tend to swim deeply, without jumping, but early in the battle some have been known to make spectacular jumps from the sea. A common method to lure a black marlin in is to troll brightly colored lures or rigged baitfish behind vessels. Live bait has also proven effective. It’s fun to go Blue Marlin fishing.