These three magnificent fish are found in practically the same areas and it’s even possible to catch all three fish on the same trip, although triple headers of billfish are rare events.
White marlin tend to weigh around 30-60 pounds and feed on a variety of smaller baits. They are very intelligent fish. When hunting prey, white marlin display neon colors and change to an aggressive posture. A hungry or agitated marlin will charge and bat its bill at a baitfish or trolled lure.
Blue marlin are much larger, up to 1000 lbs, feeding on larger baits. Blue marlin are brightly colored and are known for their dramatic leaps and deep runs. Most local blue marlin are over 100 pounds and feed on fish such as small yellowfin tuna, false albacore, mahi mahi and other fish. A sign of potential for blue marlin fishing are pods of skipjack tuna. Skipjack tuna are the smallest of the Virginia tuna, ranging from about 3 to 18 pounds. The fish are sought after by fishermen because they are among the favorite prey of blue marlin.
Marlin migrate into Virginia waters in early summer with peak fishing usually occurring in late summer through early fall. The fish may be widely scattered but when conditions are right, marlin congregate around sources of food. Ideal conditions occur when Gulf stream water moves into the area, bringing weedlines, temperature breaks and pods of small fish on which marlin feed.
Virginia anglers fish out of Chincoteague Island, Wachapreague, Oyster, Norfolk or Virginia Beach. Chincoteague Island charter boats may travel about 40-70 nautical miles to reach marlin, While boats from more distant ports may travel as far as 100 miles to reach the fish. Anglers search for marlin and swordfish in deepwater areas such as the Baltimore, Poor Man’s, Washington or Norfolk Canyons.
These structures have amazing features which produce conditions that attract several types of fish and other ocean life. West of the canyon walls are shallower but still productive areas. Near the canyon walls, the bottom becomes steeper and rockier. Fish congregate along the dropoffs to catch food that is caught in the hard running current. Along the edges are lobster traps which are marked by orange buoys or “lobster balls”. The buoys attract mahi-mahi, also known as dolphin fish. Not only are the mahi-mahi excellent fish to catch, but they also attract the larger marlin which feed on them heavily. A trip by a buoy can be uneventful, or one or more lines might be attacked by mahi mahi, tuna, marlin or other fish.
Swordfish complete the trio of billfish that swim off the coast of Virginia. These fish have tremendous strength and stamina, testing the limits of the most experienced anglers. Swordfish may vary from perhaps 4-10 feet in length, reaching weights of several hundred pounds and rarely exceeding 1000 pounds. Swordfish are found in the deeper offshore waters, feeding in extreme depths during the day and coming near the surface at night. Like marlin, swordfish move with temperature changes, becoming most common in late summer and fall.
One of the only predators of swordfish are large mako sharks. Several cases of shark attacks on swordfish have been documented of the Virginia coast. Makos seem to be skilled at catching swordfish basking on the surface. The shark attacks from behind, biting off the tail which leaves the swordfish disabled. The shark then eats its fill and leaves the rest of the fish to scavengers.
Swordfish are caught mostly at night, in the deeper areas of the Virginia offshore canyons. On overnight trips, anglers typically set one or more lines at various depths. Nighttime swordfish rigs usually consist of a large circle or Southern tuna hook on a cable leader. Swordfish baits include whole squid, mackerel or other small fish. A glow stick is added to the leader a few feet above the bait. Inline weights may also be added on the line to control the depth of the bait.
Anglers fishing the waters off the coast of Virginia almost always release both blue and white marlin. In fact in some areas the arrival of a dead marlin to the dock is considered highly offensive. As for swordfish, the decision to kill or release a legal sized swordfish is usually a matter of personal preference. The American swordfish fishery is one of the few fishery management success stories, with a recent comeback of the fish after their stocks plummeted due to overfishing. Hopefully future harvests will remain within reason and Virginia will enjoy good fishing for all 3 species of billfish.
The author maintains outdoor-related pages including Chincoteague Island Virginia, Saltwater Fishing T Shirts and Fresh Seafood.
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Saltwater fishing enthusiasts love gifts such as calendars, fish identification posters, prints, postcards, note cards, stickers and coffee mugs that display their favorite fish species. There are endless designs to choose from, varying from simple text only slogans to intricate graphics that include several species of fish.
When choosing a gift for saltwater fishing enthusiasts, shoppers often choose items that feature the angler’s favorite species of fish. Popular designs may show inshore species, flats fish, offshore species and others. The following list includes some of the most common fish species found on saltwater fish gifts.
Blue Marlin – These magnificent fish may weigh over 1000 lbs. Their blue backs, immense size and bill make them very recognizable.
Striped Marlin – Striped marlin are another large billfish. Anglers seek these fish out as they often travel in large groups.
White Marlin – These brightly colored billfish are smaller than blue and striped marlin, but are highly sought after by fishermen because of their spectacular leaps and cunning behavior.
Sailfish – Sailfish icons are popular on fish t-shirts. These billfish are recognized by their unique fan-shaped dorsal fin, bright colors and aggressive feeding habits.
Yellowfin Tuna – Yellowfin tuna are the most colorful of the tuna. Their bodies are dark metallic blue above, changing to silver on the belly. The body is often strikingly marked with a pattern of vertical lines. The fish get their name from the coloration of the second dorsal fin and the anal fin which are bright yellow
Bluefin Tuna – Bluefin tuna are noted for having a large, torpedo-shaped body that is nearly circular in cross-section. Bluefin are dark blueish-black on the back and white on the lower sides and belly. A pattern of lines alternate with rows of spots on the lower sides.
Mahi Mahi – Mahi Mahi are one of the most beautiful saltwater fish. They are slender with a blunt head, colored green, yellow and blue. Also known as dolphin, dolphin fish and dorado.
Wahoo – Wahoo are long sleek pelagic fish with tiger stripe markings and razor sharp teeth. Wahoo are among the fastest of the pelagic fish.
King Mackerel – King mackerel are sometimes referred to as kingfish. These sleek fish are smaller relatives of wahoo. They lurk around wrecks, reefs and other structure, slashing baitfish with their incredibly sharp teeth.
Mako Shark – These incredibly fast sharks are loved by fishermen. They are instantly identified by their blue color, torpedo shaped bodies, fierce set of teeth and coal black eyes.
Great White Shark – The great white sharks are among the most well known of all saltwater fish.
Tiger Shark – Tiger sharks are popular with shark enthusiasts. These large sharks have a striking pattern of markings and command utmost respect in the water. Tiger sharks are among the known man-eaters.
Grouper – American groupers include a wide range of species such as snowy grouper, nassau grouper, black grouper, red grouper, gag grouper, yellowtail grouper and others. These fish share common attributes including heavy bodies, bright colors and their tendency to live around wrecks, reefs and rocks. Many groupers are found in deep sea areas far out at sea.
For more saltwater fishing gift ideas visit Saltwater Fishing Gifts Online Store and Nautical Art.
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Tuna Fishing Tags: best gifts for tuna fisherman, blue marlin, BlueFin Tuna, Coffee Mugs, Dark Metallic Blue, deep, deep sea fishing, deep sea fishing gift ideas, Endless Designs, Enthusiasts, Fish Gifts, Fish Identification, Fish Species, fishing, fishing gifts, Gift, Ideas, Inshore Species, Intricate Graphics, Magnificent Fish, mahi-mahi, offshore, offshore fishing gift ideas, Offshore Species, Saltwater Fish, Species Of Fish, Spectacular Leaps, striped marlin, tuna fisherman gifts, tuna fishing gift ideas, tuna fishing gifts, White Marlin, Yellowfin TunaCosta Rica is one of the ideal tropical paradise for your dream vacation. Any tourist can enjoy here the pristine beaches and see the wonderful whales and dolphins play in tune with the music of water. There is a great variety of exotic wildlife and tropical plants here for the Nature lovers. You could find Butterflies and orchids, crocodiles and sharks, turtles and Toucans´ are everywhere. Costa Rica rainforest which covers the mountains are a paradise for eco tourist enthusiastic.
You would find that life is good in Costa Rica, a friendly, democratic and peaceful country. It is the only Latin American nation to be included in the list of world’s 22 older democracies. Its one of the most consistent among the top Latin American countries in terms of the Human Development Index.
For action vacation you can surf, hike, do rafting, canopying, diving, deep water fishing and snorkeling, among all these Costa Rica is known globally for its famous Costa Rica Sportfishing. Fishing Costa Rica is very famous for its large and exclusive sea collection of fishes this is very much evident from the available Costa Rica fishing report. You could go with a low budget or seek the more exclusive resorts. For your luxury and comfort there are many beautiful unique golf courses and luxury spas where you can enjoy your best time. Hotels here have all the modern comforts in some of the best private and secluded environments in Costa Rica. Costa Rica has it all that which takes to be one of the best spot for the adventurous loving tourists.
Costa Rica Sport Fishing is considered to be the best in the world. Its got many variants among its waters like the Pacific side has incredible fishing for the exciting Sailfish, large Marlins, Tuna, Roosterfish, Dorado, Wahoo, Snapper, and more and then the Caribbean side and Northern regions of Costa Rica are famous for the biggies like Snook and Tarpon.
When considering fishing Costa Rica don’t forget to catch up with Tambor Fishing and Los Suenos Fishing for their exclusivity in other sections of fishes. Generally as per the Costa Rica fishing report the boats going out of Los Suenos fishing and Quepos have been doing pretty good with an average catch of around 3 to 5 fish per day. If looking for some thing more you make get a couple sails on the beautiful Costa Rica Charter Boats with some catch of couple tuna, and you make get a couple sails and some mahi mahi, if proven lucky you would get a chance at a black marlin or maybe a biggie like the tuna. The fishing costa rica around the so called 26 rock has been steady for its wahoo, small yellowfin, tuna mackerel, jack, amberjack and more. The inshore fishing has been nearly okay near jaco but better if you make your run towards Negritas.
Fishing Costa Rica is the place where you will find the best blue water fishing anywhere. Costa Rica’s famous Pacific and Caribbean coasts offer the sport loving fishing enthusiast with the world’s best deep sea sportfishing. You can catch up with this sport fishing on the available Costa Rica Charter Boats build for the kill for those who love Costa Rica Sportfishing. You could end up catching marlin, wahoo, tuna, sails, dorado, roosterfish, tarpon and snook all year round. Know about the hottest areas for the lovely fishing Costa Rica and also its best time of year from the available Costa Rica fishing report. You could hook you up with the country’s top fishing charter captains, for those who require more guidance and advice..
Martin Lively is a sport fishing enthusiatist who has been experiencing great adventurous fishing on the Central Pacific coasts. Here he shares about his enthusiatsic moments about the recent adventures which he had with a Costa Rica SportFishing agency Angry Marlin. For more information please visit: http://www.angrymarlin.com/.

