Issue 21 SAILFISH Teens Take on Billfish Conservation STAYING SUSTAINABLE DURING COVID-19 TEEN HIGHLIGHT: Are JESSE HAY Swordfish REALLY Billfish? NATURAL VS. ARTIFICIAL BAITS Why Swordfish aren’t Billfish . or are they? When we talk about billfish, we typically refer to blue, black, white, and striped marlin, sailfish, spearfish, and Carey Chen ® swordfish. However, it may not be completely accurate to group swordfish in with the other billfish. True billfish are all members of the family Istiophoridae. A “family” is a grouping of animals that all have similar physical and behavioral characteristics and descend from a common ancestor. Unlike their billfish cousins, swordfish are not members of Istiophoridae. In fact, swordfish are the sole member of the family Xiphiidae. So, why the separation? EVOLUTION APPEARANCE The primary reason that swordfish are sorted into Swordfish also have some key morphological a different family than the other billfishes is due to characteristics (physical appearance) that make their evolution. Swordfish are genetically different them different from true billfish. The first, and from the other billfish and evolved separately. probably most noticeable, is the shape of their Studying the genetic relationships and evolution bill. The bills of Istiophoridae are rounded on of species, called “phylogenetics”, can be tricky all sides like a spear, while the bills of swordfish and oftentimes results in more questions than are flattened like a sword. In fact, swordfish are answers. However, numerous research studies often referred to as “broadbills” because of the conducted using billfish and swordfish DNA have uniqueness of this broad, flat shape. shown that, while swordfish and true billfish do have a common ancestor, they are more like Swordfish bills are also much longer than that cousins than siblings. Their common ancestor of true billfish, usually about ⅓ of their body diverged into two groups. On one side was family length. Another easy way to tell them apart is the Xiphiidae, the swordfish. On the other side was shape of the dorsal fin. While not all members of family Istiophoridae, the marlins. All other marlins, Istiophoridae have the same shape to their dorsal sailfish, and spearfish evolved on the Istiophoridae fin, they are consistent in that the fin is highest side, making them much more closely related to near their head and then extends along their back. each other than they are to swordfish. In contrast, swordfish dorsal fins are more like sharks, where they jut out just near the head and then do not extend any further back. Swordfish 2 also have two ridges on their caudal peduncle, while true billfish only have one. Finally, swordfish tend to be a bit thicker and rounder than Istiophoridae, whose body shapes tend to be a bit more narrow in comparison. BEHAVIOR In general, swordfish exhibit similar behaviors to their Istiophoridae cousins. They do not school in large numbers, though they can be found occasionally with a few other individuals. They are highly migratory, traveling sometimes thousands of miles during their migrations. They are also exceptionally fast and prey on smaller fish and squid. However, swordfish tend to dive much deeper than marlin, up to nearly 600m. Xiphiidae This habit has resulted in their developing the ability to heat their eyes to avoid Swordfish damage from the cold depths, something true billfish can’t do. Additionally, swordfish can often be seen basking in the sun at the surface of the water, a behavior that is also not shared with Istiophoridae. So, are swordfish billfish? Despite their Istiophoridae many differences, swordfish are generally considered to be a type of billfish. Sailfish However, their classification in Xiphiidae instead of Istiophoridae is important to understand when studying them. So, next time you’re out on the water and you see a swordfish, remember that you are in the Blue Marlin presence of the only one of its kind, the true gladiator of the sea. Black Marlin FUN FACT: Did you know that there used to White Marlin be more than one type of swordfish? In Striped Marlin prehistoric times, a genus (group) of fish known as Xiphiorhynchus roamed the seas. Longbill Spearfish, Shortbill It is believed that there were actually five and other Spearfish distinct species, one of which was only discovered in 2004! 3 Natural VS. Artificial BAITS FOR BILLFISH If you ask any billfish angler if they believe that artificial or natural baits are better, you better be sure you’re sitting down because you’re in for an earful. The issue of bait type goes from as general as artificial or dead to as specific as size, weight, color, species, preparation, and more. The truth of it all is that no bait is always better than another. There is no perfect set-up that is going to ensure that you reel in that grander blue marlin that you’ve been dreaming of. However, there are a few rules of thumb that may increase your chances of hooking up what you’re searching for. SPECIES: The first thing to consider when choosing between artificial and natural baits is what you’re fishing for. In general, when you’re fishing for bigger species like blue and black marlin, a large artificial bait is your best bet. This is for lots of reasons, not the least of which is that big fish want to catch big prey. Large, flashy artificial baits appear to these larger marlin like prey worth the energy of catching. On the other hand, for smaller white marlin, spearfish, and sailfish, natural bait tends to win out. These smaller billfish have a tendency to bite multiple times at a bait before being hooked, so they need a real fish to keep them interested. in your suitcase than it is to attempt to ship your own frozen fish bait, as that involves long-term Natural baits with circle hooks are also better if refrigeration and occasionally customs issues when you’re planning on catching a lot of fish in one travelling internationally. Your rule of thumb for day. The circle hooks are more likely to hook the this is that large open areas are for artificial and fish in the jaw than J hooks, making them easier smaller areas for natural, but that you can never and faster to release and beat local lore in bait selection! get your lines back in the water for another round. SKILL AND TIME: In general, a good rule of The final major consideration is experience. thumb is that big artificial Learning to rig natural baits is a skill that takes baits attract fewer, bigger time to master. Doing so, however, can be Circle Hook J-Hook fish, and natural baits attract extremely satisfying. Rigging natural baits can more numerous, smaller fish. also be very time consuming. It is not uncommon to find mates and anglers spending hours rigging LOCATION: baits the night before a Where you fish has as much to do with bait big day offshore. This can selection as what you’re fishing for. First and be some of the most fun foremost, anything you read in a magazine is going parts of fishing, chatting to be less relevant than the local knowledge. If everyone is using dead ballyhoo in an area and being successful, chances are that, regardless of these guidelines, dead ballyhoo are the way to go. However, in general, artificial baits are considered supreme to natural when you’re going to drive fast and cover large swaths of open ocean, as they will hold tight and move like a live fish at high speeds. Natural baits tend to be advantageous in tighter areas where you aren’t driving so fast, and, when prepared correctly, will move like a live fish. If you’re travelling and bringing your own bait, it is also much easier to throw a few plastic chuggers 5 and anticipating the fishing day to come, as long as you’re willing to take the time to do it. However, because natural bait can generally only be used one time, you have to be sure to prepare enough for your full day. Artificial baits are much faster to rig, and can be used multiple times, making them more ideal for someone with less time or interest in carefully rigging baits. As a rule of thumb, save your natural bait for when you have time to prepare it, and go ahead and use your artificial when you want more bang for your bait buck! Bait selection and preparation is more of an art than a science. So many factors go into which bait to choose and, at the end of the day, two people fishing the same conditions may still disagree on which is best! In some cases, using both baits is necessary, switching them up when the fish is in the spread. Use these rules of thumb to help you decide when you want to use which bait, but remember that experience and local knowledge are always the best decision-makers! Follow THE BILLFISH FOUNDATION on Social Media @TagBillfish The Billfish Foundation @thebillfishfoundation TEEN HIGHLIGHT JESSE HAY of Mako Visit MakoMiami.com “We must strive for a brighter future in which our oceans are protected proactively by us all.” - Jesse Hay, MAKO Jesse Hay was born and the next generation of conservationists - and Jesse raised around the water. shows no signs of slowing down! In the future, he A Miami local, he has plans to continue expanding his reach through always had a front row social media and by partnering with organizations seat to the problems like The Billfish Foundation. When we asked Jesse facing our ocean.