Expect to Catch

Marlin

elongate body with a long stout bill that is rounded in cross section
two dorsal fins (the height of the first dorsal fin is less than the depth of the body)
is blue-black above and silvery below
blade-shaped pectoral fins can be depressed against the side of the body
grows to over 4.47 m in length and over 900 kg

an elongate compressed body and a forked tail

long-based dorsal fin starts above or slightly behind the eyes

grows to 2.1m in length and over 22kg in weight (commonly up to 1m)

species is usually metallic blue-green above and silver with a golden sheen on the sides

iridescent blue to black spots on the sides

iridescent bluish-green back

numerous dark vertical bars on sides which extend to below lateral line

large mouth (fold of skin covers mandible when closed)

80 cm common length, 210 cm maximum fork length

dark metallic blue back

yellow to silver belly, frequently crossed by about 20 broken, nearly vertical lines

second dorsal fin, anal fin, dorsal finlets and anal finlets are bright yellow; the finlets have a narrow black border

150 cm common length

numerous thin, wavy vertical bands on body (number of bars increases from as few as 20 in a 40 cm specimen, to as many as 65 in a 150 cm specimen)

iridescent blue-grey back

silver sides with bluish reflections; juveniles frequently spotted

50 cm to 80 cm common fork length, 120 cm maximum fork length (at a maximum weight of about 30 kg)

dark blue along the upper half of the body

fading to brownish-blue on the lower sides to silver white on the belly

first dorsal fin is high, sail-like and blue-black, and covered in many small black spots

retains high dorsal fin throughout life

other fins are silver blue

on sides there are 15 to 20 vertical bars consisting of several small spots

For more information regarding fish species caught within Queensland waters, please visit the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries) and Australian Museum websites. The above species information and images have been taken from the Fisheries section of the DPI and Australian Museum websites.

Gold Coast Fishing Charters supports responsible fishing practices. Please revise the 'Recreational Fishing Size and Bag Limits for Queensland' before you next head out.