The Blue Marlin has an elongate body with a long stout bill that is rounded in cross section. It has two dorsal fins, two anal fins, a caudal fin and two strong keels on the side of the caudal peduncle. The pectoral fins can be depressed against the side of the body. The Blue Marlin is generally blue-black above and silvery below. It grows to over 4.47 m in length and over 1800lb. Caught on lures and baits, using a variety of techniques.
The Black Marlin has an elongate body with a stout bill, that in cross section is rounded. It has two dorsal fins, two anal fins, a lunate caudal fin and two strong keels on the side of the caudal peduncle. The pelvic fins can be depressed into a groove. The pectoral fins stick out from the side of the body and cannot be depressed. Black Marlin are generally dark blue above, silvery below and usually lacks any markings. It is known to grow to over 4.48m in length and over 1500lb.
The body of the striped marlin is elongate and compressed. The upper jaw is much extended, forming a rounded spear. Smaller than the blue marlin, the striped marlin has a dark steely blue back that is lined with dark cobalt blue or lavender stripes (coloration varies with location), fading to a silvery white underside. Most striped marlin are taken by trolling artificial lures or baits. A number of techniques are used. The smaller of the marlin species, Stripies are a popular target on light tackle and fly.
These magnificent fish are highly prized for their fighting ability, spectacular leaping and truly a beautiful fish to behold. Their backs are deep purple/blue shading to pale silver below and often with a touch of pink. Their erect sail like dorsal fin, usually twice as high as the fish is deep, is the outstanding feature of this prized light tackle sportsfish. Fish more commonly caught average about (80lb) but larger specimens to over 45kg (100lb) are common in season.
A truly majestic fish when lit up in hunting or fighting mode, and a prime light tackle sportfish. Wahoo are usually caught while trolling for other species and are a fairly solitary fish. They are a true tropical speedster, swimming and slashing at its intended quarry of flying fish, squid and small tuna. Superb target on fly and casting on light tackle.
Yellowfin are another popular pelagic fish found throughout the warm tropical seas. They can be caught using trolled baits or lures, or site-casting chromed slice lures to quite large schools marauding bait fish on the surface. Matching the lure size to that of these bait fish is often paramount, tuna's having exceptional eye sight, will often refuse any offering not matching their single minded attack on these schools. Fish to 80kg are quite common througout the year.
The Dogtooth Tuna has two separate dorsal fins, followed by 6-7 finlets. It has a large mouth with conical teeth in both jaws. The lateral line on the rear half of the fish is wavy. This species is brilliant blue to black above and silver below. It grows to 1.6m in length and over 200lb. One of the most popular targets trolling dead or live baits and jigging. The Dogtooth Tuna is a tropical species that is often seen cruising along coral reef dropoffs.
Commonly called dolphin fish or dorado, these beautifully marked pelagic and migratory fish inhabit all of the worlds tropical seas. It is a prized light tackle sport fishing target and well respected for its acrobatic and aerial display.
Vivid gold and blue when lit up during the fight it will readily take lures and flies cast around floating structure as well as baits cast in their vicinity when feeding. Fish of up to 25 kg available during the winter months.
Commonly known as GT's by most anglers, Giant Trevally are marauding brutes right up there with the best. Commonly caught by both lure and bait fisherman, specimens range from the smaller 2-3lb school trevally commonly caught in the shallows right up to the 100lb thugs on the offshore reefs.
The coral trout is highly prized for its eating qualities and this tropical reef fish can be found throughout Vanuatu. It is a handsome looking fish, varying from dark crimson to light pink / gray in color with blue spots, and derives its name from its appearance, looking similar to fresh water trout. The similarity ends there though. Fish up to 25lb are common.
The Red Bass is red with brownish to black shading along the back and on the uppermost rays of the pectoral fin. It has a deep groove which runs from the nostrils to the eyes. This species grows to 75 cm in length, and is common to 50 cm. It lives to an estimated age of 13 years. The Red Bass feeds mainly on fishes but will also consume other prey such as crustaceans.
A superb light tackle opponont found throughout the Fiji’s reef systems.
Commonly caught on minnows and poppers.
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