Kajikia audax
Elongated, laterally compressed body with a long, pointed bill. Dark blue back with vivid electric-blue vertical stripes on the sides that intensify during excitement and feeding. Silver-white belly. Tall, pointed first dorsal fin (higher than body depth — key identifier vs. other marlin). Long, curved pectoral fins. The body "lights up" with neon stripes during the fight — one of nature's most stunning displays.
Females grow larger than males. Males are typically more slender. Sex determination in the field is difficult without close examination.
Average catch is 80-140 lbs. Quality striped marlin exceed 150 lbs. Trophy fish top 200 lbs. The all-tackle world record is 494 lbs, caught in New Zealand. Hawaii and Southern California typically produce fish in the 100-180 lb range.
Trolling rigged ballyhoo, trolling lures (Moldcraft, Black Bart), or live mackerel at 7-9 knots is the standard technique. In Southern California, kite fishing with live mackerel suspended near the surface is deadly. When fish are found free-jumping or tailing on the surface, switching to pitch baits (live mackerel or sardines cast to a sighted fish) produces exciting, visual hookups. Fly fishing for striped marlin — teasing fish to the boat with hookless lures, then presenting a large fly — is considered one of fly fishing's ultimate challenges.
Stand-up: 5'6"-6'6" 30-50 lb class rod, lever-drag reel (Shimano Tiagra, Penn International), 30-50 lb line. Light tackle enthusiasts use 20 lb class gear for an extreme fight. Fly: 14-16 weight rod with 400+ yards of backing.
Striped marlin are primarily a catch-and-release species in the US. California has no minimum size for recreational retention but conservation-minded anglers release most fish. Hawaii allows retention. Tournament rules vary. The species is listed as "Near Threatened" by IUCN — practice careful release with minimal handling time.
Regulations change frequently. Always verify current rules with your charter captain or state wildlife agency before fishing.
California · Southern California
California · Southern California
Hawaii · Oahu
Hawaii · Oahu
Hawaii · Big Island
Hawaii · Maui
California · Southern California
California · Southern California
Hawaii · Kauai
Hawaii · Kauai
California · Southern California
California · Southern California
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