Pacific Blue Marlin

Makaira nigricans

A’u, kajiki

Description: Cobalt blue above fading to silvery below, with pale blue vertical stripes on sides and blue patches on dorsal area and tail.

Size: Weight averages about 300 to 400 pounds, but some exceeding 1400 pounds have been taken

Habitat: Generally taken over bank areas where baitfish are abundant, and over offshore ledges where bottom drops off from 100 to 1000 fathoms or more

Feeding: Diurnal; mainly aku and other tunas

Schooling: Solitary

Fishing methods: Trolling, longline

Seasonality: Most abundant during summer