Is it time for your next big deep-sea fishing trip? Going out on the boat by yourself or with a few friends is a great way to spend some time, and you never know what you’re going to find when you go deep.

But what exactly can you expect? These aren’t the fish that lurk in the dark depths such as the football fish, but instead, the fish that you can find while you’re out in the middle of the ocean hunting for your prize (and dinner).

Where there are many wonders of the sea that we have yet to encounter, there are a few more common deep-sea fish that you might see on your trip. Do you know how to identify them?

We want to offer you a brief guide on some amazing deep-sea fish. Keep reading to learn about what you might find when you go searching in the deep blue sea.

1. The Marlins

Marlins are some of the more well-known prize fish when you’re out in the deep blue sea. They’re featured in tournaments that can net you thousands of dollars in prizes and they make great meals if you’re lucky enough to catch one.

They come in two primary varieties: blue and black (though there are also white marlins).

The blue marlin is the most easily identified for its bright blue colour and enormous size. They can be over sixteen feet long and weigh 1800 pounds. Their black-finned cousins are slightly smaller. They can still reach sixteen feet, but they tend to weigh closer to 1000 pounds.

These fish are a lot to handle and require a full team. For big game fish, though, they’re one of the best prizes you can get. Be sure to take a picture.

2. Kingfish

The kingfish is otherwise known as the king mackerel. These fish are strong and aggressive and take a bit of finesse to catch.

Their general hunting technique is to bite first and ask questions later. They’ll hover around the bait until they get a general feel for it before making a quick lunge and pulling back once they’ve made their attack.

Basically, they want to detach a part of the “prey” and run away from the site with it.

Because of this, you’re going to need a strong line and hefty bait, as well as a quick hand, to get this royal fish from the sea into your boat.

3. Sharks

Sharks are a common form of deep-sea fish. Some of them are some of the most dangerous deep-sea fish while others are harmless. Some sharks make great meals while others are best left in the sea to hunt another day. As a matter of fact, there are over 400 different kinds of sharks roaming the oceans!

Blacktip sharks are some of the more common sharks that people catch on their fishing trips. They’re common in temperate waters worldwide and are some of the biggest offenders when it comes to taking a bite out of unfortunate swimmers.

Blue sharks are less dangerous but just as common and popular. They have a striking blue colour (to match the name).

Makos are popular game fishes for experienced anglers, and they’re not to be taken lightly. They like to chow down on other large fish like marlins, so you know that they shouldn’t be messed with.

They’re tough to handle, flailing when caught and occasionally wreaking havoc once they’re on board. This isn’t a fish that anyone should try to conquer alone, but they make for a tasty meal if you can manage.

For a much more manageable shark, the bonnethead is a sweet little mirror of the hammerhead. The record size is a whopping 35 pounds, so it shouldn’t be a problem reeling one of these little guys in.

4. Cobia

At a glance, a cobia may look like a shark. They have smooth grey exteriors and a prominent dorsal fin.

They don’t often weigh more than 100 pounds, but they’re tough fighters when it comes to reeling one in. They’re prone to flailing and thrashing both in the water and in the boat, and they’re strong and energetic enough to tire out an inexperienced angler.

They’re more common in tropical waters.

5. Wahoo

What a fun name, right?

In Hawaii, this tropical fish is known as the ono, but it’s the wahoo to everyone else. They’re flashy and iridescent with shiny blue streaks going across their gray bodies, but that distinct colouring fades soon after death.

They can reach over 8 feet long and they’re one of the fastest fish in the ocean, so while they may not be so formidable once they’re on the boat, they’re hard to chase down and reel-in in the first place.

6. Sailfish

These fish are otherwise known as billfish in some sports fishing circles, but they’re most easily identifiable by the giant dorsal fin that resembles a flowing sale.

They’re bright blue in colour with gray or light blue undersides, and they have the long bill reminiscent of swordfish and marlins. This is a fish that you’ll recognize as soon as you see it.

They may be the fastest fish in the ocean, making them tough to catch. They’re an awesome prize, though, and one to keep in your photo album to break about for years to come.

7. Bluefin and Yellowfin Tuna

Tuna is one of the tastiest fish in the sea, and you deserve better than the canned variety.

They come in two main types: the bluefin and the yellowfin. Bluefin tuna is one of the most desirable food fishes. Its meat can sell for high prices and it’s high enough quality for sashimi or thick tuna steaks. It’s fatty and rich.

Yellowfin tuna is also great for steaks and sashimi, but it isn’t as popular or high-priced. It’s lean and less smooth than bluefin tuna. Because of how popular tuna is, it’s popular for commercial fishermen.

The yellowfin tuna has a distinctive appearance that’s easy to recognize in the ocean. While their bodies are silver on the underside (as with the bluefin), they have bright yellow scales on their sides, fins, and tail. There’s a blue line in the center of its back.

The bluefin tuna isn’t as colourful. It still has the blue back line, but the fins are more of a gray colour (or yellow-gray).

Yellowfin tunas can reach about 500 pounds, whereas the bluefin is capable of reaching 1000 pounds, so if the colouring doesn’t tip you off, the size will.

8. Mahi-Mahi

The mahi-mahi goes by many names. It’s also called dolphin (not to be confused with the popular aquatic mammals), dorado, and the common dolphinfish.

You’ll know this fish on sight by its bright colours. They range in beautiful greens and teals, flashing gold when they’re caught and brought out of the ocean. These colours, however, fade once the fish has died.

These are small fish, with adults weighing about 30 pounds on average. There are plenty of them, so they’re popular for sports fishermen. There’s no risk of endangerment.

They’re fast and agile fish, but they aren’t difficult to reel in once they’re on the hook.

9. Giant Trevally

Despite the name, the giant trevally isn’t all that large when we compare it to some of the other gargantuan fish on the list. They weigh in at around 180 pounds maximum, and about 67 inches.

They are, however, big for their genus.

These fish have an unusual and recognizable shape. They’re ovular with round heads and a small dorsal fin. They range from a deep black to a light gray depending on their sex (with females being on the lighter side).

They aren’t popular meal fish, but they are popular to catch.

10. Roosterfish

Is it a bird? Is it a fish?

Roosterfish are aggressive fish that prefer warmer eastern pacific waters. While you may not set out to catch a roosterfish, you might jump at the opportunity when you see one.

They don’t often get much larger than 50 pounds. What sets them apart is their striking appearance.

Their bodies are a gradient of silver to blue. They have an orange-yellow dorsal fin and dark stripes that go from their heads and backs to their tails.

The most easily identifiable mark, though, is the rooster comb on their backs. It’s a multi-pronged fin that looks almost like a hand setting this fish apart from the rest.

Which of These Deep-Sea Fish Are You Aiming For?

There are plenty of deep-sea fish in the ocean, so what’s your next prize? Whether you’re looking to feed your family for months or take a few pictures and release your prey, there are all different kinds of fish to choose from. Why not get out there and start fishing?

If you’re ready to get out on the water, we have the boat for you. Check out our inventory to find your new fishing vehicle.