IF - Marlin - how and where to catch marlin? Black marlin: Black Marlin, white marlin (Japan), silver marlin (Hawaii), Makaira indica; blue marlin: photo, appearance, description, habitats, average and maximum size, best time and methods of catching
Every fisherman dreams of a good big catch. Professional anglers are trying to catch the biggest fish and set a new world record. Each of us understands that an absolute record for all time is impossible. There will definitely be craftsmen who can achieve greater results than their predecessors, but there are people for whom the desire to become the most successful angler becomes the goal of their whole life. The names of such lucky ones were included in the list International Association sport fishing.
Ken Fraster caught the world's largest Atlantic tuna (lat. Thunnus thynnus) off Olds Cove in Nova Scotia, Canada. This event took place on October 26, 1979. The fish weighed 678 kg and Ken managed to catch it in just 45 minutes, for which he became famous for the rest of his life.
The record for a large Atlantic blue marlin (lat. Makaira nigricans) was caught by Paulo Amorim on February 29, 1992. He fought the hulk for 80 minutes and pulled it to the coast of Victoria in Brazil. Marlin weighed almost 635 kg and overtook the previous record by 54 kilograms.
Swordfish (lat. Xiphias gladius) of record size was caught on May 7, 1953 in the waters of Chile off the coast of Iquique. The lucky one was Lou Maron, who pulled out the giant in 2 hours. It was 4.55 meters long and weighed over 536 kilograms.
4. Giant of the Mekong River - Catfish "Grizzly Bear"
On May 1, 2005, a fisherman from northern Thailand caught what many scientists of the world considered the largest freshwater fish in the world - the giant catfish (Pangasianodon gigas). Its length was 2.74 meters and it weighed 293 kilograms. Since it resembled an adult grizzly bear in size, the locals called it that.
On October 16, 1986, a fisherman named Lothar Lewis caught a giant pike 152 centimeters long in Lake Greffern, in western Germany. Rybina weighed 25 kg, which is almost 5 kg more than the previous record set by Peter Dubuk. It took Lothar Lewis 40 minutes to deal with the giant and pull him ashore.
This huge trout perch (lat. Micropterus salmonides) is a record holder for two reasons: firstly, it weighs 10 kilograms, and secondly, it is also the oldest trout perch in the world - it is 77 years old. He was caught by Manabu Kurita from the city of Aichi in Japan on July 2, 2009.
This fearsome species is commonly found in the southwestern United States, but also occasionally swims as far north as Illinois and as far south as the city of Veracruz in Mexico. This fish was shot by John Paul Morris and weighed 104 kg.
Giant tiger fish (lat. Hydrocynus goliath) lives in the waters of rivers central Africa and is famous for its large teeth. A tiger fish of record size was caught on July 9, 1988 by Raymond Houtmans. The weight of the fish was almost 44 kilograms.
The sailboat family includes such a species as the Atlantic blue marlin. In some sources it is called blue marlin. This fish is thermophilic. All year round lives in the tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean. In the warm months, it expands its range to temperate waters, but with the onset of cold weather, it returns to the tropics again. There are more representatives of the species in the west of the Atlantic than in the east. Individual specimens are found in Indian Ocean where they swim during migration.
Description
Females are 4 times larger than males. The mass of the latter rarely exceeds 160 kg, but the weight of females varies from 540 to 820 kg. However, the officially registered maximum weight of a female is only 636 kg. A stuffed animal of this fish is located in the city of Vitoria (state of Espirito Santo, Brazil). The heads of marlins are crowned with a long and strong "spear". Its length from the end to the eyes is 20% of the total body length. But the greatest length of the body is 5 meters. But only females grow to such a size.
It has 2 dorsal and 2 anal fins. They are supported by special bone spikes (beams). There are many rays. There are 39 to 43 of them in the first dorsal fin, and 6-7 in the second. The pectoral fins are long and narrow and also have rays. To reduce water resistance and increase speed, the pectoral and anal fins are retracted into special recesses on the body.
Blue marlin, due to the pigment in the cells, can change color. But in most cases, the body is black and blue above and silvery white below. On the sides stretch transverse pale blue stripes. From above, the body is covered with elongated bony scales. The mouth has small teeth. Nerve endings stretch along the sides of the body, catching fluctuations in water and pressure changes.
Reproduction and lifespan
Sexual maturity occurs in males at a weight of 35-45 kg, while in females this figure is 48-60 kg. By age, this ranges from 2 to 4 years. During the season, which takes place at the end of summer and autumn, females can spawn up to 4 times. Larvae emerge from the eggs. They grow rapidly and turn into juveniles. In young fish, the first dorsal fins are very high, but as they grow, they decrease in size in relation to body length. In its native element, the Atlantic blue marlin lives from 18 to 27 years. At the same time, females live 10 years longer than males.
Behavior and nutrition
This species is in high commercial demand. It is also taken as by-catch in fisheries for other fish species. And in addition to this, it is popular among sport fishermen. As a result, blue marlin are listed as threatened by the IUCN.
These marine inhabitants feed on other marlin, tuna, small schooling fish, and squid. The weight of the victim is limited to 45 kg. Great help in hunting, it has a “spear”, which ends the head. Atlantic blue marlins crash into a flock of fish and with the help of a "spear" stun, injure or kill prey, and then eat. In the stomachs of these marine predators, fishermen often find undigested remains of fish, on which chopped and stab wounds are visible. They are applied by a "spear" during a hunt.
Black marlin(lat. Makaira indica) is a large marine fish of the marlin family (Istiophoridae). The spear-shaped upper jaw is shaped like a rigging tool "pile" (English marlinspike), which gave the name to the genus of marlin fish.
The genus Marlin (Makaira) includes three species:
. Black marlin (lat. Makaira indica);
. Atlantic blue marlin (Makaira nigricans);
. Indo-Pacific blue marlin (Makaira mazara)
Body black marlin elongated and covered with small oblong scales, entirely hidden in the skin. A characteristic feature of this species is the pectoral fins, which cannot be pressed against the body of the fish. The dorsal fin is divided into two parts - the main one, which has a long base and spiny rays at the beginning, and a short additional one, located on the caudal peduncle (in young fish, the fin is undivided); the anal fin also consists of a lobe-like anterior and a small posterior. On the sides of the caudal peduncle on each side there are two muscular keels, the caudal fin is sickle-shaped with very thin but strong lobes. The jaw teeth are rather poorly developed. Juveniles retain non-elongated jaws for a long time;
These sea beauties can reach especially large sizes and weights.
There were specimens over 3 meters in length, and the record-breaking black marlin weighed 708 kg, second only to its relatives, the blue marlin.
Thanks to the strength and shape of the body, marlin swim very quickly, reaching speeds of up to 100 km / h.
Black marlin found mainly in the far coastal and insular waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans and is especially common in the East China Sea, in the inland seas of Indonesia, in the Coral Sea and off the coast of Mexico and Central America.
His favorite foods are tuna (particularly fond of skipjack tuna) and squid, as well as other large fish; this predator almost does not eat deep-sea fishes. Spawning occurs in the tropical zone and continues throughout the year in the equatorial regions, but is limited to the summer months on the periphery of the breeding area. This fish does not make systematic migrations and does not form significant concentrations.
All sailboats have tasty and high-value meat and serve as an object of intensive fishing. The main method of catching these fish - longline fishing, in which they are caught together with tuna and swordfish - is developed in all oceans. Marlin and spearmen are also hunted with the help of baited fishing rods and harpoons. All sailboats are also highly valued as objects of sports fishing for spinning, especially developed off the coast of Florida, Cuba, California, Hawaii, Tahiti, Peru, New Zealand and Australia.
Indeed, the struggle with a giant caught on a hook, either making sharp jerks to the sides, or striving to go deep or jumping high into the air, is of exciting interest. Among the enthusiasts of this sport was Ernest Hemingway, who managed to catch a number of specimens of outstanding size. Knowledge of the habits of marlin and all the features of their fishing helped the writer a lot in a realistic description of the struggle of the fisherman and his prey, so vividly and colorfully reproduced in the wonderful story "The Old Man and the Sea". In memory of Hemingway, an amateur fishing competition is held annually in Havana, in which a prize is awarded for the largest catch of marlin, sailboats and swordfish.
An interesting feature is associated with marlin breathing - when moving under water, the fish swims with its mouth half open and the incoming water passes through the gills, enriching the blood with oxygen.
Black marlin caught with a spinning rod by Alfred C. Glassell, Jr. (Alfred C. Glassell) in August 1953 set a world record.
Alfred caught the female black marlin weighing 1560 pounds, 14 feet 7 inches long and 6 feet 9 inches in girth. A giant specimen was caught eight miles from the coast of Cabo Blanco, Peru on August 4, 1953.
It took Glassel almost two hours to pull the fish to the side of the boat. During this time, marlin jumped out of the water 49 times. The shots taken at the same time were then used in the film "The Old Man and the Sea." A stuffed marlin can be seen at the Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian Institution (Washington).
Eye black marlin
Marlins are a genus of predatory fish of the marlin family (sailfish), living in the oceans of the tropics and subtropics. The name is translated from Greek and Latin like a dagger. Marlin fish is of considerable value in sport fishing. And its outstanding taste and high the nutritional value made her popular all over the world.
Description and features
The fish has a long xiphoid process, which is a transformed upper jaw. With it, she hunts smaller fish and squid. The dorsal fin looks like a sail. The spine has 24 vertebrae. The teeth are small. During hunting, marlin can turn from dark blue to bright blue due to iridophores (pigmented light-reflecting cells). Sensitive lateral line receptors (neuromasts) are a good indicator of water movement and are better expressed in young animals.
Females are 4 times larger than males. Their weight usually exceeds 500 kg, and the length is 2-3 meters. There is information about a giant fish weighing 820 kg and 5 meters long.
This predator is capable of reaching speeds of up to 130 km / h thanks to some interesting features:
- The body of the fish is flattened on the sides. The shape is well streamlined;
- The ventral, pectoral and anal fins of the fish can be hidden in depressions in the body. The resistance when moving in water is significantly reduced;
- A sharp long spear on the head cuts the water perfectly.
The International Organization for Conservation of Nature has given the marlin Vulnerable status. Thousands of tons of this fish are caught annually only in the Caribbean region. Longline fishing brings the greatest damage to the marlin population. In the United States, a law was passed according to which all vessels must release this fish at a certain distance from the coast. But, unfortunately, due to the injuries received during the capture, marlins have almost no chance of survival.
Distribution and maturation
The most numerous type of marlin is the blue Atlantic. He is honored to adorn the coat of arms of the Bahamas. It lives in the west of the Atlantic Ocean, preferring temperatures above 23 degrees. Migrates seasonally by long routes.
Sexual maturity occurs around 3 years of age. Females spawn several times per season with 7 million eggs per 1 mm in size, which have a very low survival rate. Dark blue larvae grow at a high rate. The larvae feed on zooplankton. The large and concave dorsal fin of young fish decreases relative to body height with age. Females live up to 27 years, males 10 years less. Predators prefer a solitary lifestyle, flocks are a rare phenomenon.
Apart from the person marlin can only be hunted by certain types of sharks- white and mako. On the gills, fish-sticks are sometimes found.
Exquisite fish dishes
Fish meat is perfect for cooking, frying, barbecue, salting and smoking. The Japanese prefer raw marlin in their national dish sashimi.
Baked marlin with herbs
Lemon sauce with herbs goes well with the unique taste of marlin. To prepare baked marlin, you need to take:
- Fish fillet - 1 kg;
- Olive oil - 150 ml;
- Lemon - 2 pcs.;
- Mint - 4 sprigs;
- Dill - 2 bunches;
- Parsley - 2 bunches;
- Water - 2 tbsp. l.;
- Salt.
Salt the fish pieces, add a little lemon juice. Bake for 40-50 minutes, you can in foil. Drizzle with herb sauce, oil, water, salt, lemon zest and juice.
Steak with vegetables and mushrooms
The degree of roasting of the steak - for an amateur:
- The most fried, practically not releasing juice, the meat is cooked for 10 minutes at a high temperature and brought in the oven;
- Unroasted is cooked for 2-3 minutes and remains red inside;
- The steak becomes medium-done after 5-6 minutes of processing. His juice is pinkish.
In order not to interrupt your own unique aroma of marlin, you should not abuse spices. To cook a steak you will need:
In a heated oiled pan, fry the fish pieces to the desired degree. Salted vegetables with mushrooms, fry in a pan or grill until golden brown. Shortly before cooking, you can add soy sauce. Serve hot.
Ukha, salting and smoking
To prepare a tasty and rich soup, the tail must be cut across into pieces of several centimeters, the fins and the head should be divided into 2 parts. Bring water to a boil with several cut onions, add salt, black peppercorns. Boil the fish in this water for 10 minutes after boiling.
For salting, cut the fish into pieces 10 by 30 cm, rub with fine salt. Wrap in a clean cloth and refrigerate. Turn over the next day. On the fourth day you can use.
For smoking, soak the bars measuring 15 by 30 cm in a saline solution of medium strength for 5 hours. Smoke tied with twine.
Black marlin.
(Makaira indica)
Black Marlin (English), White marlin (Japan), Silver marlin (Hawaii).
Habitats of Black Marlin:
This variety of marlin lives in the tropical latitudes of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Marlin is a pelagic fish, i.e. living in the water column. Black marlin prefers to stay at not very great depths (no more200 meters ), unlike the Blue Marlin. It is constantly moving, but the largest concentration of this fish still falls on the coastal areas and around the islands. Apparently, this is due to the food supply of marlin.
Marlin is a thermophilic fish and it is almost impossible to meet it outside the tropical latitudes. Although scientists observing marlin migrations found interesting fact: several fish rounded the Cape of Good Hope and thus ended up in the Atlantic Ocean. And some specimens during migrations covered huge distances from Brazil to the Lesser Antilles. True, scientists are inclined to the version that this is more an exception than a rule, and usually Black Marlin does not make such long journeys.
Description of Black Marlin:
A distinctive feature of the Black Marlin is the pectoral fins, which do not fold along the body, but are always located perpendicular to it. Also, unlike the Blue (Blue) marlin, the body of the Black is not round in cross section, but rather strongly flattened from the sides.
The color of the back is blue-black, the sides are silvery, the belly is white. Occasionally, horizontal blue stripes may appear on the sides of a Black Marlin.
Average weight of Black marlin 100- 140 kg (females) and 200-230 kg (males). According to the International Fishing Association IGFA, the largest Black Marlin was caught in 1953 off the coast of Peru. Its weight was 707.61 kg.
Black marlin is an active predator. Basically, he preys on tuna, mackerel, dolphin and other fish that he can handle. Also, studying the contents of the stomachs of caught Black marlin, scientists concluded that squid, crabs and lobsters also make up a certain share in their menu.
Ways to catch Black Marlin:
Black marlin is one of the types of fish included in Offshore Grand Slam(The so-called "Grand Slam" away from the coast, on the seashore. It includes blue marlin, black marlin and two types of swordfish.)
Of course, Black marlin is a desirable prey for any angler.
How to hunt this strong and noble fish?
The main fishing method is sea trolling using various surface lures: some types of wobblers, "octopuses" and dead fish tackle (mackerel, mackerel, flying fish, etc.). Live fish is also a good bait.
The shape of the body and the strength that nature has generously awarded him allow him to accelerate to 100 km/h and higher. Together with the violent temper and explosive nature of this marine predator, his playing turns into a whole performance with
an endless series of magnificent "candles", passing on the surface on the tail and high-speed circles wound around the boat.
The process of struggle, depending on the size of the fish, can last for hours.
Basically, hunting for black marlin takes place on a catch-and-release basis,
and with proper handling of the captive, most of them endure the process of fighting without consequences.
The fact is that the breathing process in marlin is directly related to movement. So, moving in the ocean, this fish always keeps its mouth ajar so that oxygen-enriched water passes through the gills.
Otherwise, the fish will die after a while. Given this feature, if the fish is planned to be released, the fishermen do not get it on board, but release the bait from the hooks in the water. In this case, the boat continues to move at low speed, creating movement of water.
Culinary value:
Black marlin meat is highly valued in the cuisines of various countries. In addition to traditional soups and cooking on coals, marlin meat is a component of Japanese sushi - kajiki, in the manufacture of which practically
cooking is not applied.
Blue (blue) marlin.
(Latin: Makaira nigricans, English: Blue marlin)
The habitat of the Blue Marlin is the tropical waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean, as well as in the Indian Ocean in the vicinity of Ceylon, Mauritius and the east coast of Africa. Seasonal concentrations of Blue Marlin occur in the Southwest Atlantic from January to April, in the Northwest Atlantic from June to October, in the Equatorial Pacific in April and November, in the Western and Central North Pacific from May to October , and in the Indian Ocean from April to October.
Blue marlin can be found both near the shore and thousands of kilometers away.
Blue marlin is larger than Black. It is believed that its maximum weight may be close to a ton, although only specimens up to726 kg . The body length of the Blue Marlin reaches 5 meters . But the average individuals caught on a fishing trip are usually smaller than Black marlin and their weight is 100- 150 kg.
Distinctive features of the Blue Marlin are the pectoral fins, which are freely pressed against the body of the fish, as well as the dorsal fin - high and sharp (not rounded). The back is black, the sides and belly are silvery white. Sometimes horizontal stripes are visible on the sides, which disappear after the death of the fish. There are no spots on the fins.
Ways to catch Blue Marlin:
Blue marlin lives in the water column and hunts both in the surface layer and at considerable depths (over 200 meters ). Its main prey is tuna, flying fish, sardines, dolphins, squids, etc.
The blue marlin, like its close relative, the black marlin, is included in Offshore Grand Slam(the so-called "Grand Slam" away from the coast, on the seashore.
It includes blue marlin, black marlin and two kinds of swordfish.)
Blue marlin are caught by trolling in the surface layers. The bait is large wobblers, octopuses, large streamers ( strip baits) or tackle from live or dead fish.
To attract a predator, a noisy rattle is often used.
Blue marlin is a gambling predator. If the bait falls into his field of vision, then, as a rule, a fierce bite follows. The slashed Blue Marlin frantically fights for its life, goes into the depths, and then jumps out of the water with lightning speed and “dances” on its tail. An angler's fight with a sea giant can last for several hours! Because of these unforgettable moments, thousands of anglers all over the world are ready to spend time, effort and a lot of money!
Blue marlin is caught, as a rule, according to the principle "Caught and released". In some regions of the world, restrictions are imposed on catching Blue marlin.
Culinary value:
Blue marlin meat is highly valued in the cuisines of various countries.
In addition to Black and Blue marlin, there are several other types of marlin that are of interest to the angler.
Striped marlin.
Tetrapturus audax (lat), Striped Marlin (eng), Red marlin (Japan)
Distributed in tropical and warm temperate waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
The striped marlin is a pelagic fish and migrates seasonally, moving towards the equator during the cold season and returning back during the warm season.
A distinctive feature of the striped marlin is a high dorsal fin, equal to the height of the body of the fish. The pectoral fins are easily folded and pressed close. The body is strongly flattened laterally.
The back of the striped marlin is silver-blue, the sides are silvery with a blue tint, the belly is white. On the sides there are horizontal blue stripes that remain even after the death of the fish, which distinguishes the striped marlin from its fellow species.
There are many iridescent spots on the fins.
The striped marlin is an active predator. His diet includes sardinella, anchovies, mackerel, saury, flying fish, squid.
Striped marlin are caught in much the same way as Black and Blue marlin. Surface wobblers, octopuses, large streamers, live bait and tackle from dead fish are used as bait.
Striped marlin are often hooked a short distance from the shore.
A distinctive feature of the Striped Marlin is its behavior after hooking. This fish is lighter and more dynamic than its relatives, and once on the hook it makes dizzying jumps, "candles" and "tail dances". The playing of the Striped Marlin is one of the most spectacular.
White marlin.
Tetrapturus albidus (lat), White Marlin or spikefish (eng)
It is found throughout the Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and even the western Mediterranean.
White marlin is a pelagic fish, but it can often be found in fairly shallow coastal areas (from20 meters).
White marlin is similar in appearance to the Striped. It is distinguished from its fellows by more rounded tips of the fins, a greenish tint on the back and a black-violet spot on the dorsal and anal fins. While feeding or jumping, blue vertical stripes may appear on the body of the White Marlin.
White marlin is caught by trolling with ordinary lures: surface wobblers, octopuses, large streamers, live bait and tackle from dead fish, sliced \u200b\u200bfish or squid.
Smaller lures and baits are used to catch White Marlin than for its larger relatives.
