Sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus)

The only species in the genus of Sailfish, although the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) publishes records for the Atlantic (I. albicans) and Pacific (I. greyi) varieties. The absolute champion of the waters off the west coast of Africa was a fish with a record weight of 64 kg (Luanda, Angola), and in America (Santa Cruz, Ecuador) a record sailfish was caught, weighing a whopping 100.24 kg!

The spearhead-shaped upper jaw of the fish, which is a harmonious extension of its elongated, spindle-shaped body, is almost round in cross-section and has a surface resembling a kitchen grater. The bodies of these fish are covered with scales, but the scales are small, elongated, and paradoxically completely hidden in the skin. So you could say that the "armor" of these "corsairs" is virtually absent. The jaw teeth of sailfish are poorly developed, although in an engraving in one of Alfred Brehm's volumes, you can find a sailfish with such a "saw" on the lower jaw that a crocodile would be put to shame. The muscular body shape determines the sprinting abilities of the fish. Practically all species of the family are capable of reaching incredible speeds - up to about 100 kilometers per hour (and this in the dense saltwater)!

The pectoral, ventral, and caudal fins of the sailfish are rigid structures (caudal and pectoral fins are sickle-shaped), serving as horizontal and vertical stabilizers. The hand of a fisherman holding a caught fish by the tail will clearly feel on the sides of the caudal peduncle a pair of muscular keels, increasing the transverse stiffness of the "stern" part and serving as powerful pulls of such a rudder (and "propeller" at the same time) as the tail. These pulls are so powerful that when fully lifted out of the water, the fish can move along the surface for several dozen seconds, literally "standing" on its tail. To many fishermen who have caught sailfish, these fish have provided such a spectacular show. The most impressive fin, for which the family received its name, not only runs along the entire back of the sailfish but also rises high with a series of rays, covered with a black film. Of course, with such a fin, you can't really pick up speed underwater, so nature provided a notch on the back where the folded fin hides during fast movement. In the Seychelles, this is a very common trophy - we had a case of catching 4 sailfish simultaneously (on different spinning rods) and 22 sailfish in one day of fishing.

Blue marlin (Makaria mazara)

The upper part is dark blue with fifteen bluish stripes from the back to the belly. The underside is pale silver.
The largest recorded measurements: length - 500 cm, weight - 906 kg. The longest recorded lifespan - 28 years.

A pelagic oceanic species, found in waters with a temperature not below 24 degrees, so migrations from south to north and back are typical for this species. They are not found near continental shores and islands. They are usually found at depths of up to 40 meters. They can form schools of up to 10 individuals. Adult fish prefer solitary swimming. They feed on tunas, rays, crustaceans, and squid.
In the Seychelles, they are caught well almost year-round. The peak season is from November to February. It is recommended to go fishing with overnight stays in the open ocean.

Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares)

It is named for the orange-yellow color of its soft dorsal and anal fins, which stand out on the dark metallic back of the body, transitioning from dark blue and yellow to a silvery belly.
The largest recorded measurements: length - 239 cm, weight - 200 kg. The longest recorded lifespan - 9 years.
A typical oceanic species, inhabiting both above and below the thermocline, only occasionally found near coral islands. It is sensitive to low oxygen levels and therefore does not occur at depths greater than 250 meters. It forms schools of individuals of the same species or different species. It feeds on fish, crustaceans, and squid. In February 2010, we set an official Seychelles record (82 kg.) Previous record (64 kg.) held for over five years. In industrial fishing, specimens weighing up to 180 kg are regularly caught.

Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri), or Ono - a member of the mackerel family, primarily inhabits tropical seas.

The body of the wahoo is elongated and spindle-shaped. Dark on top, bluish-green, iridescent, with silvery sides displaying a characteristic tiger-like coloration - numerous dark stripes narrowing towards the belly. The largest recorded measurements: length - 250 cm, weight - 83 kg.
An oceanic species, more commonly encountered individually, rarely in small schools. It feeds on fish and squid. There are known cases where old fish have caused ciguatera poisoning. A very common trophy fish in the Seychelles.