These fish can be found in the territorial waters of Mauritius Island.
The strikingly beautiful blue marlin is the largest of all the Marlin family. Native to the tropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, blue marlins are among the most recognizable of all fish. They are cobalt-blue on top and silvery-white below, with a pronounced dorsal fin and a long, lethal spear-shaped upper jaw. The height of the first dorsal fin is less than the depth of the body. There are two anal fins, a lunate caudal fin and two strong keels on the side of the caudal peduncle.
Blue marlins prefer the higher temperature of surface waters, feeding on mackerel and tuna, but will also dive deep to eat squid. They are among the fastest fish in the ocean, and use their spears to slash through dense schools, returning to eat their stunned and wounded victims.
They are also known as powerful aggressive fighters, for their impressive athletic abilities on the surface, clearing the water time and time again. They can grow to over 4.47 m in length and over 900 kg.During August to end October large Blues can be found amongst the Tuna. Blues and Blacks follow, and gorge on, the shoals of Yellowfin Tuna at this time of the year and are usually fatter than later in the season. The prime Marlin season runs from mid November to end of March.
Like all the marlins, the striped marlin is distinguished by its characteristic spiked horn and pointed fins. This solitary predator is found in the subtropical waters of the world's oceans. It can grow to over 13 feet (4.2 meters) in length and weigh 900 pounds.
The Striped Marlin is well known for its fighting ability and is reowned for its speed and acrobatic displays.It has a reputation for spending more time in the air than in the water just after it is hooked.In addition to long runs and tail walks, it will 'greyhound' across the surface, making a dozen or more long, graceful leaps. Compared to a Blue or a Black it is considerably more slender and is the most colourful of all Marlin. Just before striking or when the Striped Marlin is annoyed, fourteen iridescent blue lines spark up the Marlin's body. It is one of those must see moments - a Striped Marlin lighting up to strike one of your baits. Striped Marlin are most prolific from November to March, sometimes showing in packs of up to ten, which makes it a good chance of getting a personal best.The prime Marlin season runs from mid November to end of March. In March it would seem that the fish are much larger than average .
The Black Marlin is a well known commercial and recreational fishing species. Like all the other fishes in the family Istiophoridae, the Black Marlin is a very fast swimmer and is known for its long runs and tail walking. The Black Marlin is dark blue above, silvery below and usually lacks any markings. It is known to grow to over 4.48 m in length and over 700 kg. This fish has been noted as a violent feeder at the top of the food chain and its food consists largely of other large fast swimming fishes such as tunas, mackerels, trevallies, and swordfish. Less important foods include other fishes, squids, and large crustaceans.
Barracudas are natural predators and they are inquisitive. They often circle divers and check them out. Although they are known as pack killers, they usually will not attack a human unless provoked into it. They are interesting fish and little is known about them.
The species found in the Indian Ocean is the Great Barracuda. The Barracuda occurs offshore and around the reefs and predominantly appear at or near the surface. The larger ones are almost invariably loners. They often strike savagely, and they frequently jump out of the water when hooked.
Broadbill (Xiphias gladius) is know as the 'Gladiator of the Sea' due to its reputation of being the toughest of all the billfish with a violent mood, and is considered by many to be the toughest of all billfish to catch - the ultimate challenge in big game fishing.
Characteristically, it has a smooth, very broad, flattened sword (broadbill) that is significantly longer and wider than the bill of any other billfish. It has considerable big blue eyes, and is a ferocious night feeder. They are deep-water predators and are known to go to depths of at least 550m. They are finicky, easily frightened and rarely strike blindly. When hooked it takes deep and rapid dives and with the combination of the soft flesh around the mouth and its slashing bill (sword) it makes for a real challenge to catch.
Fishing season is all year but best in October, November and March when the seas are very calm. December before the wind goes round to the north-east can also be an excellent time for Broadbill fishing.
The Sailfish is one of the most strikingly colourful game fish of all - its outstanding feature is the long, high first dorsal which is slate or cobalt blue with a scattering of black spots. Its body is dark blue and silver and lights up with white dots and lines of electric blue.
It is a very acrobatic fish and will dive quicker than the marlin because of its size and surrounds. They are a migratory species usually travelling alone or in small groups. Its fighting ability and spectacular aerial acrobatics endear the Sailfish to the saltwater angler, but it tires quickly and is considered a light tackle species.
For fly-fishermen who are trying big game fishing on fly for the first time the Sailfish is the perfect species to try your luck.Sailfish are seen and caught throughout the fishing season but most prolific during December and January.
The Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) is a dark blue scombrid fish found worldwide in tropical and subtropical seas.
Their body is elongate and covered with small, scarcely visible, scales; the back is an iridescent blue green, while the sides are silvery, with a pattern of vertical blue bars. These colors fade rapidly at death. The mouth is large, and both the upper and lower jaws have a somewhat sharper appearance than those of King or Spanish Mackerel.
The first scorching run may peel off several hundred yards of line in seconds. Occasionally the fish jumps on the strike and often shakes its head violently when hooked in an effort to free itself.
Common name of Dolphin fish - these fish are in no way related to the dolphins. Dorado are found in open water and also near the coast. They are a highly rated gamefish. Hooked Dorado may leap or tail-walk, darting first in one direction and then another. It is believed they can reach speeds of up to 50mph.
Catches average 7 to 13 kg (15 to 28 pounds) and they seldom exceed 15 kg (33 pounds). When they are removed from the water, the fish often change between several colors, finally fading to a muted yellow-grey upon death.
The Dorado often spawn in warm ocean currents throughout much of the year, and its young are commonly found in sargassum weed.
Giant trevally are robust and solid in appearance and can be recognised by a steep and blunt head profile. They have immense power which can be attributed to thick shoulders and midsections of muscle and large almost paddle-like pectoral and tail fins.
These fish are common off the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean. Adults are sedentary and are found on structure such as a coral reef, bombora or drop-off/channels. It is a highly rated sport fish both for its large size and for the strong fight it gives. Large Trevallies have powerful jaws and sharp conical teeth. A tagging programme has found that they are highly territorial.
The mako shark is one of the most popular sharks in the Indian Ocean. This species is deep blue-gray above, changing along the sides to a snowy white belly.
Mako Shark are torpedo shaped and are the speed kings of the cartilaginous fish and possibly the fastest fish in the ocean - measurements as high as 100kph (60mph) have been reported. When hooked they may jump to a height of several body lengths out of the water. They are able to chase down and consume fast moving pelagics, such as Tuna and Broadbill.
Their ability to reach such phenomenal speeds may be attributed to a blood vessel heat exchange system, which enable them to maintain a body temperature higher than the surrounding sea water. All sharks are an endangered species and most Big Game Fishing Clubs actively promote their tag and release.
The tiger shark, Galeocerdo cuvier, one of the largest sharks. Born at a size of 50 - 75cms with a beautiful silvery pattern of leopard like spots, which change to bars as they grow and fade as they mature. The head is large and blocky with big soulful eyes. Mature Tiger Sharks become very stout. They may be resident in certain areas, but in general they are wanderers.
This shark is a solitary hunter, usually hunting at night. The tiger shark is a dangerous predator, known for eating a wide range of items. Its usual diet consists of fish, seals, birds, smaller sharks, squid, and turtles.
Tag returns indicate movements as great as 3193kms, which is 1984 miles. They tend to stay in deeper water by day and enter shallow waters at night.
Also known as Narrow-barred, King or Spanish Macherel, the Kingfish is a highly rated gamefish. King mackerel are solitary surface dwellers that tend to be found near shore, often among reefs, wrecks or other underwater structures. Immature fish school, and sometimes mix with schools of Spanish mackerel of similar sizes. King mackerel are migratory, in response to water temperature, and prefer temperatures no lower than 68 degrees F.
The adult Kingfish has an elongated body with a narrow head and pointed snout, and appears iridescent blue-and-green dorsally with plain silver sides. Juveniles also have five or six irregular rows of bronze spots along their sides.
Kingfish prefer to consume small fish but also have been known to eat shrimp and squid.
From August you start to see large numbers of migrating Yellowfin Tuna, which are, pound for pound, one of the strongest fish that swim and can put up a challenging fight. These swift, sleek marauders of the worlds' oceans can be picked out from their close relatives by their bright yellow finlets and belly, which sometimes show a series of about 20 vertical rows of whitish spots. These high-speed vagabonds are the quintessence of hydrodynamic perfection in design for speed, and often reach about five feet in length. They make transoceanic journeys on a regular basis. Tuna school primarily by size and 12 - 20lb outfits are ideal for schools of small Tuna that run in the season, providing really good sport for the light tackle enthusiast.August to October provides excellent sport for Tuna.
Multiple hook ups are normal when the ocean can come alive with huge schools in pursuit of smaller fish creating plenty of excitement with all the rods going at once. Some of the Tuna are huge and involve a long, exciting and exhausting fight in the chair.Season is typically from August to end October. This is an excellent time for Tuna with chances of big Blue and Black Marlin too. Blues and Blacks follow and gorge on the shoals of Yellowfin Tuna at this time of year and are usually fatter than later in the season. Many lesser game fish, such as Wahoo, Barracuda, Kingfish, Skipjack etc. can also provide good sport during these months.
Mauritius Island