Fish That Go Aerial (Jumping Fish)
Fish That Go Aerial (Jumping Fish)
When they hit, they don’t just run—they launch.
FISHYAF
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Top 10 Species
Meet the ten species that earned their spot on this list. Click any species to deep dive and learn more.
1
Tarpon
Verified
World Record
286 lb 9 oz
Max Domecq / 2003
Guinea-Bissau
Max Domecq / 2003
Guinea-Bissau
Signature Fact
They breathe air using a lung-like swim bladder, so those surface "rolls" are actual gulps of oxygen.
2
Sailfish
Verified
World Record
221 lb 0 oz
Ted Teele / 1958
Santa Cruz Island, Ecuador
Ted Teele / 1958
Santa Cruz Island, Ecuador
Signature Fact
They superheat their eyes and brain up to 13°C above the water, keeping vision razor-sharp during high-speed chases.
3
Blue Marlin
Verified
World Record
1,402 lb 2 oz
Jay de Beaubien / 1970
Kona, Hawaii
Jay de Beaubien / 1970
Kona, Hawaii
Signature Fact
Their eyes and brain run on built-in heaters, staying up to 14°C warmer than the water.
4
Peacock Bass
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
27 lb 0 oz
Gilberto Fernandes / 2010
Rio Negro, Brazil
Gilberto Fernandes / 2010
Rio Negro, Brazil
Signature Fact
That fake eyespot on the tail is a piranha decoy, drawing bites away from the brain.
5
Largemouth Bass
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
22 lb 4 oz
Manabu Kurita / 2009
Lake Biwa, Japan
Manabu Kurita / 2009
Lake Biwa, Japan
Signature Fact
High-speed videos show they snap their mouth fully open in about 30 milliseconds, vacuuming prey from 3 inches.
6
Smallmouth Bass
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
11 lb 15 oz
David L. Hayes / 1955
Dale Hollow Lake, Tennessee
David L. Hayes / 1955
Dale Hollow Lake, Tennessee
Signature Fact
In winter, they huddle in massive "sleep piles"-hundreds nose-to-current, barely twitching for weeks.
7
Steelhead
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
42 lb 2 oz
Karl Mauser / 1970
Bulkley River, British Columbia
Karl Mauser / 1970
Bulkley River, British Columbia
Signature Fact
Unlike their salmon cousins, many survive spawning and do it again-some return to spawn up to three times.
8
Brown Trout
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
44 lb 5 oz
Seumas Petrie / 2020
Ohau Canal, Twizel, New Zealand
Seumas Petrie / 2020
Ohau Canal, Twizel, New Zealand
Signature Fact
Brown trout have been filmed snatching low-flying bats off the water-night monsters with a mammal habit.
9
Arapaima
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
Pending
Signature Fact
Arapaima must breathe air and surfaces every 5 to 15 minutes, gulping loudly like a surfacing submarine.
10
Bonefish
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
16 lb 0 oz
B. Allen DeMoss / 1971
Walker’s Cay, Bahamas
B. Allen DeMoss / 1971
Walker’s Cay, Bahamas
Signature Fact
Their larvae are transparent, leaf-shaped drifters that actually shrink before transforming into juvenile bonefish.
FAQs
What fish are known for jumping when hooked?
Tarpon, sailfish, marlin, bass, trout, steelhead, and peacock bass are well known for their aerial behavior during fights.
Why do fish jump out of the water?
Fish often jump to try to shake hooks, dislodge lures, or escape predators. It’s a natural defensive behavior.
Are jumping fish harder to catch?
They can be, because aerial movement increases the chance of losing tension or throwing the hook.
What’s the best way to land a jumping fish?
Keep steady pressure, lower the rod tip during jumps, and stay ready to adjust as the fish moves.
Are jumping fish more exciting to catch?
For many anglers, yes. The visual aspect of the fight adds a whole new level of excitement.
