Black Marlin

The Black Marlin is not a common sight in Oahu, being a native of Australia’s waters. Nonetheless, the fish has been known to make its way into the island’s waters, often after joining schools of its Pacific Blue cousins. The rarity of the Black Marlin in these parts makes it that much more exciting to catch, even before you consider its formidable fighting skills and thick, delicious meat.

Given that it is not native to these waters, relatively little is known about the Black Marlin’s feeding habits in this part of the world. You are most likely to encounter it while hunting for schools of Pacific Blue Marlin, which are also similar in size, though not in color. For this reason, you must be every bit as ready to fight when you hook a Black Marlin as when you hook a Blue one. These fish weigh 200 pounds on average, and have been known to reach 1,200 pounds off the coast of Oahu. You shouldn’t seek this fish unless you have the skills and equipment for a dangerous catch, though if you find it while hunting for Pacific Blue Marlin, you’ve probably already prepared for a perilous pursuit.

Black Marlin meat is high in fat content and low in moisture. Like meat from its Striped and Pacific Blue cousins, it is usually served as a steak and cooked either in a pan or on a grill. It can also be smoked or eaten raw in sashimi form. It is usually flavored with citrus or strong spices.