Rainbow Runner

The rainbow runner is very popular along the Pacific coast. In many sushi restaurants, the rainbow runner is considered a delicacy.

Region

Northeast, South

Catch Ease

Easy

Habitat

Ocean

How to identify a Rainbow Runner

There is a groove on the back and another on the venter in front of the tail fin of this species, but there are no bony scutes on the sides. The first dorsal fin has six spines and the second dorsal fin has one spine and 25-27 connected soft rays, followed by a two-rayed finlet. The anal fin consists of a single detached spine that is covered by skin in most specimens over 12 inches long, followed by another spine with 16-18 connected soft rays and a two-rayed finlet. These fish range from a couple of pounds up to 15-20 pounds.Rainbow runners closely resemble the cobia in shape, but can be distinguished by its coloration as well as the finlet after the dorsal and anal fins. The back of the rainbow runner is blue-green. On each side there is a broad, dark blue, horizontal stripe near the back and one or two narrower, light blue stripes beneath the broader stripe. Between and around these blue stripes, the sides are cadmium yellow. The belly is white or silver, often with a yellow or pink tint. The tail is yellow and the other fins are a greenish or olive yellow.

Where to catch Rainbow Runner

The rainbow runner is a member of the jack family that occurs worldwide in tropical and warm temperate waters particularly temperatures of 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Young rainbow runners are known to occur in the vicinity of floating rafts or debris and have been seen swimming with large sharks accompanied by pilotfish. It is rarely found inshore being more of an inhabitant of the open sea. Young fish probably swim in relatively loose, small schools; older fish are more solitary. The following list includes additional details on where to catch this fish:

Baitfish Patches

Coastal Waters

Floating Foam and Debris

Reefs, Wrecks, and Shoals

how to catch Rainbow Runner

Fishing methods include trolling with small baits and lures or live bait fishing. The rainbow runner is sometimes caught on heavy tackle intended for large fish, but its fighting ability is reduced when this incidental hook-up occurs. When hooked on light tackle, it is an excellent game fish and a tough fighter prone to fast surface runs. Occasionally, this fish will also leap out of the water when hooked. The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish: