Game Fish of Jamaica

Amberjack
Seriola Dumerili

Upper Body olive-brown with darker olive-brown diagonal stripe from mouth to just in front of dorsal, lower body silvery with bronze (amber) stripe along body. Dark colored tail ( not yellow as in yellowtail)

Maximum weight 180 lbs.  80 kg

Atlantic Blue Marlin
Makaira Nigricans

Back Dark Blue with light blue stripes of dots and bars, belly is silvery white, fins and tail are electric blue in color.
Bill is medium in length and lower jaw turns down slightly at the tip. Dorsal fin and anal fin pointed and medium height.

Maximum weight 2000 lbs.  900 kg

Atlantic Bonito
Sarda sarda

Upper body blue-grey with darker stripes, lower body silver. Slim body with stripes along top of body and down past lateral line.

Maximum weight  25 lbs.  11 kg

Atlantic Sailfish
Istiophorus Albicans

Upper body and sail dorsal spotted with dark and light spots, lower body silvery white, body spots in vertical rows, bright colors. Very high dorsal fin hightest in centre. Prominent single lateral line, long slender bill with a slender straight lower jaw.

Maximum weight 130 lbs  60 kg

Barracuda
Sphyraena Barracuda

Upper body blue-grey, lower body silver with scattered dark blotches. Pointed head with underslung jaw that is no longer than upper jaw, body long and elongated, wide veed tail. Razor sharp teeth with the longest teeth just under the nose.

Maximum weight   100 lbs.  45 kg

Blackfin Tuna
Thunnus Atlanticus

Upper body dark blue, lower body silvery white, finlets dark with yellowish tinge. Pectoral fins equal to line of start of second dorsal fin.

Maximum weight  50 lbs.  24 kg

Bonefish
Albula Spp.

Upper body blue-grey silver, lower body and sides brilliant silver. Underslung jaw, single dorsal fin, cylindrical body.

Maximum weight 22 lbs  10 kg

Broadbill Swordfish
Xiphias Gladius

Upper body-dark blue, often with bronze colorization, lower body silvery white, colors merge to light brown. High rigid sickle dorsal and long flat bill.

King Mackerel
Scomberomorus Cavalla

Upper body bluish grey, lower body silver and bright. No bars or spots along body. Fins do not have black or white areas, as do many mackerels.

Maximum weight  100 lbs.  45 kg

Mahi Mahi
Coryphaena Hippurus

Upper body green and electric blue, lower body gold and electric.
The female ( cow ) has a rounded head where as the male (bull) has a upright head.

Maximum weight  100 lbs.  45 kg

Skipjack Tuna
Katsuwonus Pelamis

Upper body dark purplish blue on back sometimes with vertical lavender blotches, lower body silver with four to six conspicuous dark long bands. Barred body, four to six wavy stripes on lower body below lateral

Maximum weight  80 lbs.  35 kg

Snook
Centropomus Undecimals

Upper Body olive-green, sometimes with bronze overtones ( black line along body and tail), lower body is silver. Heavy black line from gill cover to vee of tail. Spined dorsal fins of almost equal size

Maximum weight 65 lbs  30 kg

Tarpon
Megalops Atlanticus

Upper body greenish blue sometimes with golden tints, lower body silver.Herring shape. Big silver scales. Single dorsal with long whip-like Ray at base. Lower jaw slanted up and reaches beyond upper jaw.

Maximum weight 300 lbs.  135 kg

Wahoo  
Acanthocybium Solandri

Upper body is dark blue with wavy stripes, some stripes in Y- shape, lower body silver. Tail is upright and the lower jaw is longer than upper.
Extremely sharp teeth and lightening quick !

Maximum weight  200 lbs.  90 kg

White Marlin
Tetrapturus Albidus

Dark Blue Back, silvery white belly, light stripes along body, dorsal fin dark blue with spots. Dorsal, anal and pectoral fins high and rounded at tips. Slender bill and slender lower jaw.

Maximum weight 200 lbs  90 kg

Yellowfin Tuna
Thunnus Albacares

Upper body black with greenish blue overtones, yellow stripe along body, tail keel dark, finlets yellow with black edge, striations on belly, second dorsal and anal fin are elongated. Pectoral fin long-reaches back to start of second dorsal

Maximum weight  400 lbs.  175 kg