Also known as
- Ono US
- Hoo US
- Pacific Kingfish US
Identification
An extremely elongated, torpedo-shaped speedster and one of the ocean's fastest fish, capable of explosive bursts exceeding 95 km/h. Built purely for speed — slender, lean, and low-drag. Females may grow slightly larger than males.
- Iridescent bluish-green upper body with 24-30 cobalt-blue vertical bars, some Y-shaped or doubled
- Silvery flanks with small smooth scales
- Long pointed snout making up roughly half the head length
- Mouth full of triangular razor-edged teeth
- Row of small finlets running behind the second back fin and anal fin
Where it holds
- Offshore
- Oceanic
Behaviour
Solitary open-water ambush predators that use explosive bursts over 95 km/h to overtake prey. Hunt throughout the water column, flashing their dark vertical bars during attacks to confuse targets. Dawn and dusk are peak feeding windows when low light favours ambush, though opportunistic strikes happen through the day whenever prey is encountered. Most active in 21-27°C (70-81°F) water — patrol current edges, temperature breaks, weed lines, floating debris, and FADs where baitfish concentrate.
Diet: Flying Fish, Squid, Mackerel, Small Tuna, Ballyhoo
How it's caught
Line Fishing
Trolling
High-speed troll jet heads, bullet lures, and tracking plugs at 15-20 knots with heavy 400-800g trolling drails for depth control, or slow-troll rigged ballyhoo and skirted baits at 6-9 knots. Wire leaders (60-100lb) mandatory — razor teeth cut mono instantly.
Spinning
Cast poppers, stickbaits, and metal jigs ahead of surface-working fish or tight to floating structure. Retrieve as fast as possible to match the strike instinct — tight line, wire leader (60-100lb), quick hook set before teeth sever the mono.
Live Lining
Slow-troll or drift live mackerel, bonito, or blue runners near FADs, reef edges, and temperature breaks. Keep the bait swimming hard on a wire leader (60-100lb); set hard on the strike before the teeth cut through.
Fly Fishing
Saltwater Fly
Only practical when fish are actively working surface bait — cast large streamers or poppers with a wire bite tippet (50lb), strip as fast as possible, and accept that bite-offs are routine. Tuna fly tackle minimum.
Spear Fishing
Bluewater Spearfishing
Run a cut-bait burley trail to pull fish into range, dive to 10-25m, and wait mid-water. Trophy fish approach fast, demanding quick reaction and accurate shot placement.
