Also known as
- Stripey US
- Beaky US
- Beak US
- New Zealand Marlin US
- High-finned Spearfish US
- Pacific Striped Marlin US
Identification
A streamlined Pacific bluewater apex built for explosive acceleration and high-speed pursuit. Famed for spectacular aerial fights and greyhound runs.
- Prominent lavender-to-purple vertical stripes along the flanks — persist after death
- Metallic blue to blue-green back with silvery-white belly
- Slender, relatively blunt bill with numerous tiny teeth
- Flexible pectoral fins that fold flat against the body
- Females grow larger than males
Where it holds
- Offshore
- Oceanic
Behaviour
A Pacific bluewater apex predator hunting open-ocean current lines, seamounts, offshore banks, and the upper mixed layer. Spends roughly half its time in the upper 10m, descending into the thermocline during the day with maximum dives to 460m. Stuns prey with the bill before consumption. Mostly solitary but forms loose size-grouped schools during spawning aggregations. Highly migratory — covers thousands of km in horseshoe-pattern transits. Peak activity at 20-26°C (68-79°F).
Diet: Skipjack Tuna, Small Yellowfin Tuna, Sardines, Mackerel, Saury, Flying Fish, Squid
How it's caught
Line Fishing
Trolling
The dominant Pacific approach. Pull a spread of 15-25cm skirted lures (Pakulas, Zukers, Mold Crafts) and rigged whole mackerel or skipjack belly baits at 6-9 knots along current lines, seamounts, and bait concentrations. Run 3-5 rods in long-rigger and short-corner positions. 15-30kg stand-up tackle is standard; circle hooks dramatically improve clean hookups.
Live Lining
A premier Pacific approach. Slow-troll or drift a live mackerel, caballito (goggle-eye), or small skipjack on a 7/0-9/0 non-offset circle hook with a fluorocarbon leader. Sight-pitch live baits to surface-finning fish on calm days. Allow the fish to fully run before engaging drag — circle hooks self-set.
Spinning
An exhilarating sight-cast approach during calm conditions. Pitch large 250-400g stickbaits, poppers, or skirted lures to finning or cruising fish ahead of the boat. Heavy 80-100lb braid PE setups with stout rods. Aggressive walk-the-dog or pop-pause cadence. Demands quick reflexes and strong casting accuracy.
Fly Fishing
Saltwater Fly
A classic Pacific bluewater fly fishery. Raise fish with hookless teasers trolled behind the boat — when a fish lights up on the teaser, the crew pulls it away while the angler casts a 25-30cm baitfish streamer. Strip aggressively in long fast pulls. 12-14wt rods with floating or intermediate lines and 12-15kg shock tippet.
Spear Fishing
Bluewater Spearfishing
A premier Pacific bluewater spearo target — Cabo, Magdalena Bay, Hawaii, NZ, and East Cape are heritage destinations. Hunt blue water along current lines, seamounts, and bait balls down to 25m. Use a 140-160cm bluewater speargun with 7.5mm shaft, slip-tip, breakaway rig, and 30m+ float-line into a hard float. Striped marlin frequently approach divers — known for boat-side and diver curiosity.
