Like the marlins, the upper jaw is spear-shaped. Average size is 7 feet. Generally found in south Florida near the Gulf Stream and off the Panhandle near the 100-fathom line. Most have prominent canine teeth and will take a variety of bait. They got their name from their habit of snapping at the angler's hands.
Colors vary but are generally bright and tend toward red and yellow.
Excellent for dinner. Has a long, flat sword-like upper jaw. Lives in deep blue water and once averaged more than 200 pounds, though overfishing has affected the size of commercially caught fish. All large swordfish are females. Tarpon Its stubborn refusal to give up, combined with an ability to leap 10 feet out of the water, makes tarpon a favorite game fish.