Sportfishing

Weighing up to 400 pounds and almost 7 feet in length, this highly migratory species of tuna has dark blue and yellow to silvery color for their torpedo shaped bodies. The bright yellow dorsal fin is the distinguishing characteristic for a yellowfin tuna. Staying mostly in the upper water column, they feed on small fish, squid, and crustaceans, but they are also prime targets for sharks or larger billfish. Overall, this species is at/or reaching target population size even with the large numbers caught for recreational and commercial fishing.

Weighing up to 1500 pounds and 15 feet in length, these metallic blue and silvery white fish are popular in both recreational and commercial fishing for putting up a good fight and making a great dish. Due to this popularity and a long sexual maturity time, there are increasing concerns about endangerment. The schools of the torpedo shaped fish can be found both above and below the thermocline, even diving to depths over 3000 feet. These 40 knot swimmers feed on slow moving schools of fish like anchovies and plankton through modified filter feeding as they cross the Atlantic from June to August. 

Weighing up to 180 pounds and just over 9 feet in length, the white marlin is one of the smaller billfish but also one of the most sought after billfish, especially in tournaments. While they are normally tag-and-release, during the White Marlin Open Tournament in Ocean City, MD, prize money over $2 million can be acquired for bringing one to the scales. Feeding in the upper water column on mackerel, dolphin, flyingfish and squid, white marlin can be attracted to the surface with teasers and hooked with the outriggers or other trolling lines. They like to overtake their prey with speed, so be ready for a rough fight.