Opah

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Type	Opah
Water	Saltwater

Description

Oceans & Range: All tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide — a true deep-water oceanic species. Found in the Pacific from Oregon to Chile and throughout Hawaii and the Central Pacific. Rarely encountered by sport anglers — most commonly caught incidentally by deep-sea trollers targeting Swordfish and Tuna. Increasingly encountered as bycatch by Southern California offshore anglers targeting Bluefin Tuna.

Preferred Water Temperature: 38°F–55°F at depth. A unique fish — the first fish known to be fully warm-blooded. Maintains body temperature well above surrounding water temperature through a counter-current heat exchange system in the gills.

Size & Weight: Typically 100–200 lbs. Maximum over 600 lbs. World record: 413 lbs 12 oz. A large, disc-shaped fish with brilliant crimson fins and silver sides with white spots — one of the most beautiful fish in the ocean. Spectacular eating — rich, flavorful meat described as a cross between tuna and swordfish.

Best Lures: Rarely caught on lures — primarily a deep-water incidental catch.

Best Baits: Large whole squid at depth produce incidental catches while targeting Swordfish. Deep jigging with large metal jigs occasionally produces Opah in areas where they concentrate. Most commonly caught as bycatch on deep-trolled lures and live bait setups targeting other species.