Marlins belong to the family of billfishes, fishes with a unique dorsal fin that makes them stand out among other gamefishes. Blue and white marlins belong to this family and are very known for their agility and strength. Read on to learn more about them!
Get to Know the Marlins
The blue and white marlins are siblings in the sense that they are very identical to each other. What sets them apart is the minimal color differences in their bodies. A blue marlin has a pointed dorsal fin, flexible pectoral fins, a cobalt blue tint on its body with occasional blue stripes across it, and a cylindrical body.
A white marlin, on the other hand, has a rounded dorsal fin that is usually higher than its body depth. It also has a lighter and occasionally greenish tint compared to the blue marlin. It also has spots on its anal fin, dorsal fin, and belly. The white marlin is also considered small compared to many other billfishes.
Blue marlins can grow to a length of a whopping 12 feet long and up to 2000 pounds. That's a pretty big fish that can put up a fight against sharks! White marlins, on the other hand, can grow to a length of up to 110 inches and a weight of 180 pounds.
When and Where to Catch Marlins
Marlins are migratory species. Blue marlins can migrate farther distances compared to white marlins, but both can be seen in the Virginia Beach area. Blue marlin fishing season in Virginia begins in the month of May all the way through the month of October.
White marlin fishing season starts around the end of the month of June and continues up to the month of October. The months of August to September are considered the golden season to hunt larger numbers of marlin. Many marlin hunters consider the Norfolk area as the best spot to catch marlins, so definitely write down that area if you are looking for those sweet marlins.
How to Catch Marlins
Catching marlins is a difficult feat to achieve since marlins, especially the blue marlin, are known for their brute strength that can pull an angler out of his or her boat. While white marlins are very nimble and can put up a good fight. When catching blue marlins, you should take note of your footwork and consider getting a helping hand from your fellow angler as this fish fights back like a cornered soldier.
The most common methods to catch marlins are baiting and rigging. Most common baits include what marlins love to eat such as mackerels, flying fish, crabs, or squids. For blue marlins, they like to eat tunas and some other open-water fishes. Use pieces of tuna for baiting or rigging blue marlins and tire them out before setting it since this fish has a brute force that can pull you out of your boat.
Enjoying Your Marlin Catch
Marlins are very quick (white marlins) and have brute-force strength (blue marlins), and one of the best ways to enjoy your catch is to culminate with a picture of your catch, and of course, eating your catch. Marlins can be enjoyed with a lot of different cooking methods such as pan-searing, grilling, pan-frying, and baking among others.
Marlin flesh has a rich and full flavor and its texture is firm and full, like the swordfish flesh. It is also packed with nutrients and minerals like vitamin B12, vitamin B6, protein, niacin, and selenium. But you should consume marlin flesh moderately as they have low trace amounts of mercury.
Experiment with whatever cooking method you want to try, and fully enjoy your marlin-catching experience!
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