White Marlin  

Appearance

The back is a dark blue, fading to a shade of brown and then to silvery-white in color along the sides, before going completely white underneath. Body is marked with faint vertical bars. Unlike the blue marlin, the tip of the dorsal fin for a white marlin comes to a rounded point rather than a sharp one.

Habitat

This highly migratory species swim offshore throughout the Gulf, but come closer to the mouth of the Mississippi River in midsummer.

State Record

134.0 pounds, Dennis L. Good, 1976

Fishing Tips

White marlins are a light-tackle game fish. Troll whole or strip baits, or artificial lures like small spoons and feathers. For live bait, use squid or mackerel.