White MarlinThe white marlin is more abundant and more easily caught (some say) than the blue marlin. Average size will range from 30 to 70 pounds with occasional fish going over 100 pounds. The current world record of 181 pounds 14 ounces was caught off Brazil in 1979.They swim from the Caribbean following the Gulf Stream north along the coast of North America then East towards the Azores then following the Canarian current South then West returning to the Caribbean for spawning. The bill of the white marlin is shorter in proportion to its body length than other bill fish. The dorsal fin is capped by a rounded shape clearly identifying this fish and telling it apart from the blue marlin with its pointed dorsal. The pectoral fins are also rounded in shape, unlike the pointed pectorals on the blue marlin. The dorsal is often tinted with a lavender or light blue hue and has deep purple or dark spots sprinkled through it. The back of the fish is deep blue to almost black, with a vertical stripes readily apparent in live fish, especially vivid as they attack a bait or lure. The sides of the fish are bright silver, the belly a whitish to silver colour. Like the blue, there may at times be a sheen of copper or gold to the sides when battling a fish. Many anglers believe the white marlin is the best performing of the billfish, making more leaps than either the sailfish or blue marlin. While this can be argued, there's no doubt that this is a fine game fish! |
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