Overview
The Striped Marlin is one of the most sought-after big game fish in Australian waters. A spectacular aerial fighter, it can leap dozens of times during a fight. Fishing concentrates along the east coast, with Port Stephens as the marlin capital of the world.
Identification
Long, pointed billElevated dorsal finBlue vertical stripes on and bodyStreamlined bodySilvery bellyScythe-shaped tail finSmooth skinLarge eyes
- Body
- Slim and streamlined body with an elongated bill.
- Colouration
- Steel blue body with lighter vertical stripes, silvery belly.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/not obvious
- Growth
- Fast in early life stages, growing considerably within a few years.
Taxonomy
- Family
- Istiophoridae
- Order
- Istiophoriformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Kajikia albidaIstiophorus platypterusMakaira nigricansTetrapturus angustirostrisIstiompax indicaMakaira mazara
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- open_sea, reefs, pelagic
- Preferred bottom
- open_sea, reefs
- Geographic distribution
- Found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific Ocean, including the Indian and Atlantic Oceans.
- Micro-habitat
- Prefers to hunt near current-rich areas where prey is abundant.
Prefers warm seas with abundant currents that promote plankton and prey accumulation.
Presence by sea area
Na Costa Ovest SudPeak
Na Baja CaliforniaPeak
Sa Pacifico SePeak
As Mar Cinese EstPeak
As Giappone SudPeak
Au Coral SeaPeak
Au Costa Est TemperataPeak
Oc FijiPeak
Oc PolinesiaPeak
Open Pacifico TropPeak
Open Pacifico TempPeak
Open Indiano TropPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- pelagic fish, squid, mackerel
- Secondary prey
- cephalopods, mackerel, needlefish
- Occasional prey
- crustaceans, jellyfish
- Feeding behaviour
- Active and voracious predator, uses its bill to hunt in open waters, even at the surface.
- Natural predators
- orcas, sharks, large pelagic fish
Uses its bill to stun and injure prey.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- solitary
- Aggressiveness
- medium
- Migration
- Undertakes massive migrations based on seasons and currents.
- Seasonal behaviour
- During warmer months, they tend to be more active and move closer to shore to spawn.
- Juveniles
- Form small schools to enhance survival.
- Adults
- Solitary but may occasionally join small groups for hunting.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- November, December
- Spawning depth
- between 20 and 60 meters
- Eggs
- Transparent, spherical pelagic eggs of very small size.
- Larval stage
- Pelagic larvae that grow rapidly and soon begin to behave like predators.
- Sexual maturity
- Varies between 2 and 5 years
When to catch Striped Marlin
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
DayMorning, Afternoon
Night—
This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, summer and autumn, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Fishing activity decreases in winter, when conditions are less favourable.
Ideal conditions
Water temperature
10°COptimal zone: 14-24°C27°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
ocean slopescoral reefscurrent-rich areasdeep offshore waters
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
driftingtrollinglive baitingkite fishing
Other applicable
Trolling OceanicoLive BaitingPoppingTraina Costiera
Recommended baits
live needlefishsquidbaitfishsardines
Baits by pressure
Low
Dredge / TeaserSkirted trolling (Pusher/Chugger)High-speed lure (Wahoo bomb)Wire rig con esca vivaCedar plugHoochie / Octopus rig
Medium
Ballyhoo armatoGoggle-eye vivoPesce intero mortoRicciola piccola vivaTonnetto vivoEsca viva (generica)Sgombro intero
High
Ballyhoo armatoDredge / TeaserGoggle-eye vivo
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Puts up a strong fight, performing spectacular jumps out of the water.
- Handling
- Use gloves to avoid cuts from scales and bill.
- Release
- Release quickly to minimize stress, keeping the head submerged to ensure good oxygenation.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The IGFA all-tackle record for striped marlin is 224 kg, caught in 1984 off New South Wales, Australia. Large specimens have been documented in Pacific waters, where they can grow up to 4.2 meters long.
- In the kitchen
- Marlin is prized for its firm and flavorful meat, famous in Hawaiian and Japanese cuisines.
- Cultural notes
- Symbol of strength and freedom in many Pacific coastal cultures.
- Historical notes
- Historically fished for its strength and endurance, a mark of prestige among sport anglers.
