The Atlantic and Pacific specimens are nearly identical in appearance. The back and upper portions of the body are dark, cobalt blue in color, including the first dorsal fin. The lower portion has a silver-white color. In many cases, there are up to 15 vertical stripes, consisting of small dots and narrow bars, with a light cobalt blue color. The principal way to distinguish blue marlin from their relatives is to examine the shape of the dorsal fin tip, which is more pointed on blue marlin. In addition, the spots found on the fins of most marlin are absent on the blue marlin.

Blue marlin can be found in tropical and warm temperate waters around the globe, mostly in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. It is the most tropical of the billfish and is often found in waters near the equator.

Blue marlin feed primarily near the surface, though they occasionally dive to deeper water to feed, depending on where their prey is found. Their diet consists mostly of fish and other sea life found near the surface and is highly dependent upon location. This diet can include tuna, mackerel, squid, octopus and any number of fish species indigenous to the environment.

Most believe Blue Marlin are the most sought after of all the ocean sport fish. A super strong and powerful bill-fish, blue marlin will fight hard and run fast for many hours on end, especially when you are hooked up to a very large marlin. They can suddenly dive to deep water and can make wild jumps like some type of fish acrobatic. With impressive endurance, it is not uncommon to see a hooked fish make up to 40 or more spectacular jumps. This fish can be a tough test of an anglers deep sea fishing skills.

Very little is known about the biology of the blue marlin including their migrations and spawning habits. They are known to be a highly mobile species that travels the warm ocean currents with the seasons in search of comfortable water temperatures. This species inhabits depths up to about 600 feet and water temperatures between 70 and 86 F. They are primarily an offshore species found along the edges of continental shelves, near oceanic mountains, underwater canyons, especially near a warm ocean current.

Similar in color to the Blue Marlin but proportionately lighter in body, white marlin can be distinguished from small Blues by the rounded tips of dorsal, anal and pectoral fins.
Averages 40-70 pounds, 100-pounders not too uncommon; maximum less than 200. World record 181 pounds, 14 ounces; Florida record 161 pounds.

Highly migratory, white marlin seek warm offshore waters in the Atlantic Ocean. They move from area to area in order to stay within temperatures from 68 and 84 F, which leads them to higher latitudes during summer and lower latitudes during winter. They are abundant in the temperate and subtropical areas of the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.

White marlin are aggressive, opportunistic feeders that seem willing to eat whatever is available in their environment. Their diet is likely dependent on their location and the availability of food sources. They seem to do most of their feeding during the day, feeding in both deep and shallow water, especially near underwater canyons, shoals and other areas with steep drop offs. Like other marlin, they use their long spear to stun their prey. The majority of their diet consists of fish such as herring, jacks, mackerels, triggerfish, dolphin fish and flying fish. However, squid and crabs can make up a significant portion of their diet.

White marlin are the most commonly encountered marlin along the Atlantic Coast of the United States and share the reputation of other marlin as a good-fighting trophy fish. They combine hard strikes on several natural baits and artificial lure with fast runs, deep dives and acrobatic jumps when hooked. This combination makes the fish a thrilling challenge on light tackle.

Preferring the deep, blue, temperate to tropical water above the ocean thermocline, white marlin normally roam the ocean at depths between 300 and 500 feet. They are well adapted to areas of low oxygen levels and high salinity. They also seem to congregate near currents with speeds between one and 3 miles per hour. While they are primarily deep-water fish, white marlin will frequently come into water as shallow as 50 feet, especially around debris or floating weeds. They sometimes travel in small schools of 5 to 12, especially when feeding on baitfish, but usually travel alone or in pairs.

The Atlantic sailfish’s most prominent feature is their first, sail-like dorsal fin, commonly referred to as its “sail dorsal.” Coloration of the body is dark blue to dark blue-green on top, brown-blue on the sides fading to silver-white underneath. The upper body has light and dark blue spots scattered about, while the sides have blue-gray vertical stripes that are often broken. The body of an Atlantic sailfish is slender and they are extremely fast swimmers, having the ability to swim at speeds up to 60 miles per hour. There is an obvious lateral line that runs over the pectoral fin and back along the flanks. The body is covered with embedded scales that become less numerous and more variable in shape as the fish ages.

Atlantic sailfish migrate extensively throughout the tropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The full range is from about 40 degrees north to 40 degrees south latitude in the western Atlantic, roughly from Maine to Venezuela. They are found throughout the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean.

Favored feeding areas are near schools of baitfish in areas where there is a temperature change. They may form small groups of 3 to 30 members that forage together. It is possible that, like the Pacific sailfish, they may cooperate to capture their prey, using their fins to create a trap that prevents fish from escaping and taking turns to feed. They attack prey with their fins and spear and then consume the stunned fish headfirst. Their favored food is other fish, including mackerel, tuna, herring, ballyhoo, needlefish and mullet.

A highly popular target for sportfishermen, especially off the coast of Florida, Atlantic sailfish are a prized trophy species. Their popularity is a result of the challenge of catching one using light tackle, their penchant for dramatic leaps out of the water, and their stunning beauty. Due to declining numbers resulting from overfishing, most Atlantic sailfish are now caught and released, though this is not as common off the coast of Mexico and Central America.

Although they traverse the vast ocean waters, Atlantic sailfish favor areas near the Gulf Stream current. They stay at mid-range to surface depths above the thermocline, in waters with temperatures between 70 and 85 F. Despite being caught on the surface, most of their feeding appears to occur in mid-level depths near areas with underwater structures. Compared to their Pacific counterpart, they usually stay in deeper water year round, going to depths as great as 600 feet.

King mackerel, most commonly referred to as "kingfish," are the largest of the mackerel family. They are swift and powerful swimmers, demonstrated by dramatic jumps from the water. Typical coloration is dark gray to gray-green to blue-green on the back, with a silver hue on the sides, fading to a white or silver belly. The fins are pale, with the exception of the first dorsal fin, which is blue. Kings have a distinct lateral line, which begins to curve downward at the second dorsal fin. There are no additional stripes or spots on the body, except for juvenile kings, which have five or six rows of bronze spots. There are about 60 extremely sharp teeth equally divided on each of the jaws. The body is covered in scales and coated in mucous, which assists in movement and fighting illness.

The two dorsal fins, which touch, have 12 to 18 spines and 15 to 18 soft rays, respectively. The pectoral fins have 21 to 23 soft-rays. The pelvic fins are located on the underside and the anal fin has 16 to 20 soft-rays. The peduncle has a large keel, and the caudal fin is significantly forked and has two keels. There are seven to 10 finlets running from the dorsal and anal fins to the widely forked tail.

An abundant fish, king mackerel are found in subtropical and tropical waters in the western Atlantic Ocean between 45 degrees north and 25 degrees south latitude. The distribution of kings in coastal regions changes seasonally, though there are some permanent populations in warmer waters. It is suspected that there are two distinct populations of king mackerel, one in the Atlantic Ocean and one in the Gulf of Mexico.

Biologists indicate their range is from the Gulf of Maine to southern Brazil, however, they are only found from Virginia to Maine in the very warmest months or years. The largest numbers found in the Atlantic roam the area from Florida to northern Brazil, including the Caribbean Sea. The population within the Gulf of Mexico can be found along the coasts of Texas, Louisiana and Florida.

Large numbers of herring, shad, sardine, pilchard, menhaden, jack, anchovy, mullet and drum are consumed by the king mackerel. They also consume smaller amounts of shrimp and squid. In a year, they will eat about 4.5 times their body weight in food.

These fish are predators who are aided by their forceful jaws and sharp teeth. If needed, they can leap out of the water as they pursue their prey.

This species is an extremely popular sportfish because of long, strong runs when hooked that can be repeated several times during the battle and include occasional leaps from the water. A variety of techniques may be employed and commonly include trolling, chumming, drifting, still fishing and surf fishing.

In many cases, experienced anglers say, the greatest challenge in fishing for king mackerel is locating them. Consequently, trolling is a very popular method. Natural bait such as herring, menhaden, mullet and ladyfish, or artificial lures such as spoons, feathers, jigs and plugs have all proven effective. Because king mackerel usually stay fairly deep below the surface, one key is to place the bait or lure sufficiently deep. As a result, planers and downriggers are often used in the pursuit of king mackerel. In many cases, chumming is used in conjunction with the trolling.

Because they are strong fish, angling for king mackerel generally requires tough tackle, although a soft tip is recommended to prevent overpowering the fish. In general, mackerel fishermen use line weights of 20 pounds or more and up to 300 yards of line. Many use a wire leader to prevent the sharp teeth from severing the line.

This species lives in open water offshore as well as shallower coastal waters near beaches and in estuaries. These areas often include coral reefs, piers, wrecks and buoys, especially when baitfish are plentiful. King mackerel favor clear, calm waters with temperatures above 68 F and depths between 65 and 300 feet. In addition, they can be found in areas with high salinity levels. They are also known to frequent bays, reefs, piers, wrecks, etc. where there are large populations of baitfish and are known to congregate in areas where there are contours or breaks in elevation.

Most king mackerel migrate every year with changes in water temperatures. They also travel in schools, though they seem to become more solitary as they grow older.

Long, slender body marked with zebra-like stripes of white and deep blue or black. Mouth is elongated and narrow, and equipped with razor-sharp teeth.

Wahoo are present in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans in clear, tropical and subtropical waters. Heavy seasonal concentrations occur off the Pacific coasts of Panama, Costa Rica and Baja California in the summer. Offshore of all Florida coasts, especially the Keys, but for more plentiful in the Bahamas and many Caribbean Islands.

While the wahoo is perfectly capable of biting chunks out of large fish, it primarily feeds on whole small fishes, such as sardines, scads, mackerel and squid. They are frequently solitary feeders, but they may sometimes be found in small, loose groups. Wahoo are sub-surface hunters that hang several feet below the surface and shoot up to attack prey with tremendous speed. Although they feed at all times, they tend to be more active in the morning and evening hours.

May strike a surface bait in spectacular, greyhounding fashion, but seldom jumps after being hooked. Wild fight is characterized by several sizzling runs, usually at or near the surface. One of the fastest of all gamefish.

Roams the deep blue water, but anglers can find them by working dropoffs, seamounts, weedlines and other favorable feeding locations.

The body of the dolphin is quite slender but fairly deep, with a noticeable tapering from head to tail. The male of the species is distinguished from the female by its high, vertical head. The anal fin has approximately 30 soft rays and stretches over half of the length of the body. The distinctive dorsal fin is long, covering almost three-fourths of the body, and has around 60 soft rays. The caudal fin is deeply forked and contains no spines. -- A blaze of blue and yellow or deep green and yellow when in the water, and sometimes shows dark vertical stripes as well when excited. Small dark spots on sides. Dorsal fin extends nearly from head to tail. Head is very blunt in males (bulls); rounded in females (cows).

While the greatest concentrations of dolphin are believed to be in the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific, they are found worldwide in tropical and subtropical waters and warmwater currents. All offshore waters of Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

Dolphin are known as voracious predators. While their favorite prey is the flying fish, they also consume squid, shrimp, crustaceans and even smaller dolphin. Using a keen sense of eyesight the dolphin locates most food near clumps of floating vegetation and objects.

The dolphin is considered one of the top offshore game fish and is highly targeted by anglers around the world. It is famous for its leaps and flips over the surface when hooked. Because of their speed and agility, dolphin provide for an exciting catch as they run long and jump often.

Dolphin are a warm-water fish usually found in deep waters, close to the surface. While sometimes found in coastal waters, they often concentrate in the open ocean around floating objects such as buoys, driftwood and seaweed clusters. They are considered to be the most surface-oriented of all big-game fish.

• Blue Marlin
• White Marlin
• Sailfish
• Swordfish
• Wahoo
• Dolphin
• Tuna
• Grouper - Many Varieties

• Amberjack
• Barracuda
• Snapper - Many varieties
• Jack Crevalle
• Mackerel
• Sharks
• Snook
• Tarpon