Black Marlin Environments   by Ben Pate

in Sports / Other Sports    (submitted 2012-02-06)

Black marlin have a place in 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 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.

In Comparison with Blue Marlins

Black and blue marlins are commonly mistaken for one another. Usually this happens when a fish is caught weighing less than 100 pounds. There are a few noticeable differences between blue and marlins, however, that can be easily detected. One of the main differing characteristics of black and blue marlins is that a black marlin has a pectoral fin that, when pressed on, will not fold over. Another character trait difference is that the bill of a marlin tends to be much shorter and heavier than a blue marlin. The black marlin is also the only marlin that has non-retractable fins on its body.

Appearance

The marlin has a back that is slate blue and transitions into a silver underbelly. It may also have display light blue stripes when it becomes excited. Slight variations in color can cause some specimens to possess a silvery haze over their body. In Hawaii this has led to the name 'silver marlin', which was once thought to be a separate species. Female black marlins can grow up to 15 feet long and weigh in excess of 1000 pounds. Male marlins are, in general, much smaller and rarely exceed 300 pounds. Black marlins feed on dolphin, squid, cuttlefish, octopuses, mackerels, swordfish, and large decapod crustaceans, but prefer small tuna when abundant. Research and stomach analysis show that these fish use their long, sharp bills to slash their prey.

Fishing for Black Marlin

Once on the line, a 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 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.

About the Author

Due to the nature of large scale commercial Black Marlin fishing, black marlins are in higher demand than ever because of the strain placed on fisheries around the world. In some places, it is now required by law that if you catch a black marlin, you must tag and release it. These laws have been put into place even though there has been no declaration by any governing agency that the species, including the Blue Marlin fishing, has become endangered. In the United States, you can find black marlin in the frozen food section of your local grocery store. In japan, this species is in high demand for their flourishing sushi markets. However, some countries have banned the black marlin from public consumption due to the higher volume of mercury they contain compared to other species.