Billfishes off the Atlantic U.S., characters are for fish larger than 15-20 pounds. Paired caudal keels on each side of tail and pelvic fins present on all billfish except swordfish
courtesy NOAA
WHITE MARLIN
Order - Perciformes
Family - Istiophoridae
Genus - Tetrapturus
Species - albidus
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Taxonomy
The white marlin was first described by Poey in 1860 as Tetrapturus albidus. Junior synonyms include Tetrapturus lessonae Canestrini 1861 and Makaira lessonae Canestrini 1861. Other scientific names that have been used to refer to this fish are Lamontella albida Poey 1860 and Makaira albida Poey 1860.
Common Names
English language common names include white marlin, Atlantic white marlin, and skilligalee. Other names include aguja blanca (Spanish), agulha (Portuguese), bicuda (Portuguese), blanca (Spanish), cabezona (Spanish), espadarte-branco (Portuguese), espadon (French), marlin alb (Rumanian), and wit marlyn (Afrikaans).
Geographical Distribution
Occurring in the Atlantic Ocean, the white marlin has a distribution from approximately 45°N to 45°S in the western Atlantic Ocean and 35°S in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. As its distribution is limited by temperature, its boundaries vary throughout the year; it is found in the northern and southern extremes of its range only in the respective warm season. Specimens have been reported from the Mediterranean Sea and from the coast of France, but these are believed to be isolated occurrences of individuals who have strayed outside the regular distribution. While white marlin do travel long distances, they apparently do not perform the transoceanic migrations of related species.
SWORDFISH
Order - Perciformes
Family - Xiphiidae
Genus - Xiphias
Species - gladius
Taxonomy
Linnaeus first described the swordfish in 1758, providing the name still in use today, Xiphias gladius. Translated to English, the Latin term gladius means "sword", referring to the long sword-like bill. Other scientific names that have been used to refer to the swordfish include Xiphias imperator Bloch and Schneider 1801, Xiphias rondeletti Leach 1818, Phaethonichthys tuberculatus Nichols 1923, Xiphias estara Phillips, 1932, Tetrapterus imperator Rohl 1942, and Xiphias thermaicus Serbetis 1951.
Common Names
English language common names include swordfish, broadbill, broadbill swordfish, and sword fish. Other common names include agulha (Portuguese), albacora (Spanish), babljan (Serbian), dugso (Bikol), emperador (Spanish), espada (Portuguese), espadarte (Portuguese), espadon (French), haku (Niuean), jaglun (Serbian), kadu koppara (Sinhalese), lokjan (Marshallese), malasugi (Visayan), meda (Russian), mekajiki (Japanese), paea (Maori), pesce spada (Italian), pez espada (Spanish), sankeh (Arabic), swaardvis (Afrikaans), xiphias (Greek), and zwaardvisch (Dutch).
Geographical Distribution
The swordfish is found in oceanic regions worldwide, including the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. It is found in tropical, temperate, and sometimes cold waters, with a latitudinal range of approximately 60°N to 45°S. The swordfish is a highly migratory species, generally moving to warmer waters in the winter and cooler waters in the summer. It is often present in frontal zones, areas where ocean currents collide and productivity is high.
BLACK MARLIN (Makaira indicus)
OTHER NAMES: Pacific black marlin, giant black marlin (Hawaii), white marlin (Japan)
RANGE: Mexican Deep Waters, Eastern Pacific, Carribean
HABITAT: Black marlin generally exist in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. They are a highly migratory, pelagic species that will rarely swim deeper than 100 feet. They are most commonly found in deep waters, near such prominent bottom structures as continental shelves and reefs.
DESCRIPTION: The black marlin is the only marlin with non-retractable fins. Another distinguishing trait is their dorsal fin which is proportionately the lowest of any billfish. It stands less than 50 percent of the fish's body height. The black marlin's back is slate blue and transitions to a silver belly. It may also have light blue stripes when excited.
SIZE: World Record 1560 lbs. These are big fish!!
FOOD VALUE: Good, but normally released by sportsmen.
GAME QUALITIES: 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. As a result of the depleted stocks, many sport fisherman are now tagging and releasing their catches.
TACKLE AND BAITS: While many Blacks have been caught on lighter outfits, the standard is a good balanced ocean trolling outfit in the 5-pound or even 80-pound line class. Marlin baits fall into three categories: 1. Artificial trolling lures; 2. Live, fairly large baitfish, such as school Dolphin or Bonito; and 3. Rigged natural baits, such as Mullet, Mackerel, Bonito, Barracuda, extra-large Ballyhoo ("Horse Ballyhoo"). Lures are used most often, because they allow more ocean to be covered. In somewhat limited areas, such as along weedlines or around seamounts and other well-established grounds, live bait is usually preferred.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Sometimes Drifting; Trolling.
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