BLACK MARLIN ( Makaira indica ) The black marlin's back is slate blue and transitions to a silver belly. Light-blue body stripes are usually visible on live marlin, especially when the fish is excited; these fade after death. A highly rated game fish, the black marlin has the power, size, and persistence of which anglers dream. Black marlin tend to swim deeply, without jumping, when hooked, but can make spectacular jumps early in the battle. Its body is laterally compressed, rather than rounded, much more so than in the similar size blue marlin, and the upper jaw is elongated in the form of a spear. The black marlin is the only marlin, regardless of size, whose pectoral fins are rigid and cannot be folded flat up against the body without breaking the joints.

IGFA All Tackle Record Weigh: M-60 kg(130lb) 707.61 kg (1560 lb 0 oz) Cabo Blanco, Peru 08/04/1953 Alfred C. Glassell

Typical Range: Migratory throughout the warm tropical and sub-tropical waters of the Pacific and Indian oceans. Black marlin are highly mobile, covering a wide-ranging habitat. They can travel long distances very quickly, but details of their migration patterns, feeding and living habits are still largely unknown. Blacks gather each year in the Coral Sea adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef for spawning. More 1000lb marlin are caught in the waters off Cairns, Australia than the rest of the world put together.

Common Tackle: Heavy tackle consisting of 80 lb and 130 lb gear or 50 lb stand for the adventurous. Ultra light gear and saltwater fly fishing is also popular.

Common Fishing Method: Trolling brightly colored heavy tackle lures or the preferred live and dead rigged baitfish. Other popular techniques include kite fishing (where baits are suspended at the surface from flying kites) and heavy-tackle fly fishing. Preferred methods in Australia are rigged dead bait trolling, live baiting and lures.

Common Baits: Whole live mackerel tuna, frigate mackerel, dolphinfish, squid, bonito, flying fish, fish strips, and artificial lures.

Preferred Temperature: Lower Avoidance: 68, Upper Avoidance: 87, Optimum: 72-82