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BILLFISH

of the White Marlin Open

Unlike the white marlin, the dorsal fin is high and pointed anteriorly rather than rounded and does not have spots.
The back is cobalt blue and the flanks and belly are silvery white. There may be light blue or lavender vertical stripes
on the sides,but these may fade away after capture. As with many of the billfish, the blue marlin uses its bill to stun,
The premier species of fish in the White Marlin Open, this pelagic species migrates north during the warmer summer injure, or kill while knifing through a school of fish or other prey, then returns to eat the injured or stunned fish.
months from their winter habitat in the southern Caribbean. From July through September they can be found in
abundance off of the Mid-Atlantic coast.

A distinguishing feature of the white marlin is its rounded dorsal fin, electric blue in color and often with black World Record: 1182 lbs | Louis Marron - 1953
spots. When the fish is feeding or leaping, light blue or purple bars may show up on the body, the common SW ORDFISH MD State Record: 393 Lbs | Jeff Jacobs - 2022
“lighting up” of the white marlin. This is produced by specialized cells in the skin.
WMO Record: 318.5 Lbs | Jake Bertonazzi - 2021
Sometimes described as the “king” of saltwater gamefish, white marlin are often caught on light tackle making the
fight even more thrilling. It is a spectacular jumper, sometimes jumping straight up, tail walking on the water or
“greyhounding”, leaping sideways with repeated jumps across the ocean. Once hooked, the angler must demonstrate
their skill in keeping the line taut at all times in order to catch this magnificent fish.

World Record: N/A | N/A
MD State Record: N/A | N/A
Atlantic swordfish are one of the fastest predators in the ocean. Their streamlined body allows them to swim at
WMO Record: N/A | N/A speeds up to 50 mph. This pelagic, migratory species usually travels alone. It uses its sword for defense and to
ROUNDSC ALE kill or stun food. They are considered by some to be the fiercest fish in the ocean. They have even demonstrated
SPEARFISH attacks on boats as evidenced by broken swords found in wooden hulls.

SAILFISH

The roundscale spearfish is often mistaken for a white marlin as they have many of the same physical characteristics.
One of the major differences is the placement of the anal vent, which is about 3 inches from the anal fin in white World Record: 221 lbs | Carl Stewart - 1979
marlin and double that distance for the roundscale spearfish. They were determined to be a different species in MD State Record: N/A | N/A
2001 although at that point the white marlin was still thought to be in the same genus, Tetrapturus. As of 2006, WMO Record: N/A | N/A
genetic testing indicated that the white marlin was distinct from the Tetrapturus genus and was reclassified to the
Illustrations by: Karen Talbot Illustrations by: Kevin Brant is generally cobalt blue with a scattering of black spots. The sail is normally kept folded down when swimming and only
Kajikia genus. Recent studies have shown that about 20% of the “white marlin” caught in Mid-Atlantic tournaments
are actually roundscale spearfish. According to the rules of the WMO, for the purpose of identification and prize Although you are unlikely to see a sailfish weighed in the WMO, they occasionally show up in the Mid-Atlantic and an-
money eligibility, a roundscale spearfish will be considered a white marlin. glers are awarded billfish points for their catch and release. Its outstanding feature is the long, high first dorsal fin which
raised when they attack their prey. It is thought that the sail reduces sideways movement of the head which makes the
bill less noticeable by the prey.

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