It doesn’t get any more epic than Blue Marlin fishing. After all, these fish were immortalized in Hemingway’s novel The Old Man and the Sea. But, nothing about Marlin is fictitious. They’re one of the few ocean beasts that truly exceed 1,000 pounds.
It takes a very seasoned – or at least, very bold – angler to go after one. Rising to that challenge is like answering the call of the sea itself. The waters around you will be vast and the odds will seem slim. The battle will be long. But the fish, should you succeed, will be one of a lifetime.
How to Identify Blue Marlin
Blue Marlin live throughout tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Some experts distinguish Atlantic Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans) from Pacific Blue Marlin (Makaira mazara) since their populations have little-to-no crossover, while others view these as the same species.
Blue Marlin are highly migratory and they follow warm ocean currents for thousands of miles. They grow exceptionally fast and can reach 3–6 feet within their first year of life. By 6–8 years of age, they may weigh 200 pounds or more. “Grander” Blue Marlin (1,000+ pounds) are likely to be around 20 years old, which experts believe to be their maximum lifespan.
Based on recorded catches, Blue Marlin in the Pacific average slightly larger than Atlantic Blue Marlin. But this evidence is rather circumstantial. What we know for a fact is that females live longer and grow much larger than males – sometimes quadruple the weight!
So, just how large are we talking? The biggest females exceed 12 feet and weigh 2,000 pounds, while most males measure less than 7 feet long and rarely tip the scale past 300 pounds. But don’t take it from us. Here are the receipts:
- The IGFA all-tackle record for Atlantic Blue Marlin: 1,402 pounds, 2 ounces.
- The IGFA record for Pacific Blue Marlin: 1,376 pounds.
- Though it was never inducted into the IGFA, the largest recorded Blue Marlin puts both of these to shame. That was a 1,805 lb trophy landed in Kona, Hawaii, that went down in history as “Choy’s Monster.”
- Commercial fishermen reportedly catch Blue Marlin even bigger than this, which occasionally exceed 2,000 pounds.
Of course, anglers are lucky to catch a Blue Marlin even on the lower end of that range. While you might spend a lifetime chasing down your own grander, you’re most likely to catch a Blue Marlin that weighs 200–400 pounds.
Blue Marlin vs. Other Marlin
It can take some time to train your eye to all the differences between Marlin species. At times, Blue Marlin look like Striped Marlin, due to the faint stripes on their sides. But you’re most likely to confuse Blue Marlin with Black Marlin (pictured above). These two giants compete for first place when it comes to the title of “biggest Marlin.” And, from a distance, they look a lot alike. A few things to keep in mind include:
- Blue Marlin are blue on top and gradually fade to white about halfway down their sides. Sometimes they have pale stripes that fade when they die.
- Black Marlin sport a black or dark blue color similar to Blue Marlin, but they never have stripes. Sometimes Black Marlin develop a gray sheen all over their bodies which is why they’re also dubbed “Silver Marlin.”
- The pectoral (side) fins on a Blue Marlin can be folded back against their bodies, whereas these same fins on a Black Marlin are rigid and stick outward.
- Black Marlin have the deepest (or chunkiest) bodies of all Marlin species, with the shortest bills and dorsal peaks.
- Blue Marlin and Black Marlin inhabit many of the same seas except for the Atlantic Ocean, where Black Marlin rarely occur.
Best Blue Marlin Fishing Spots
While it’s very hard to catch a “grander” Blue Marlin, the good news is that you’ll have no shortage of places to try. In fact, you could travel the globe in pursuit of this prize, and it would be time well spent.
We did our best to whittle the list down for you, but it’s far from comprehensive. Consider this a sampling of choices that we hope will inspire your next trip:
Florida
Topping our list is none other than the “Sportfishing Capital of the World.” But, for once, we won’t claim that Florida is the best place on earth to land your next trophy. It is, however, one of the best Marlin fishing spots in the US. It’s also one of the most accessible places to catch Blue Marlin, making it ideal for beginners.
Atlantic Blues swim throughout the Gulf of Mexico and up the East Coast along the Gulf Stream. This has them circling Florida during the warmer half of the year, with opportunities to catch them from all sides. Some of the best-known spots for them are the 100-fathom curve off the Panhandle and Wood’s Wall 20 miles south of Key West.
In Florida, you’re allowed to keep one Billfish per person, but catch and release is encouraged. The minimum size limit is 99 inches measured from the lower jaw to the fork length. If you decide to keep your catch, you must report it to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) within 24 hours.
Kailua-Kona
When it comes to Blue Marlin, the Kona coast of Hawaii is truly legendary. No less than eight line-class records for Blue Marlin were set here, including three granders. Kona is also home to the IGFA all-tackle record for Pacific Blue Marlin and nine Blue Marlin World Cup wins.
You can catch Marlin here all year – and it’s not just Blues! Black and Striped varieties show up here, making this a true Marlin hotspot. Peak months span between April and September, when you can experience paradise sailing on calm seas beneath clear skies. You’re allowed to keep Marlin in Hawaii, but catch and release is strongly encouraged.
Cabo San Lucas
There’s a reason people call Cabo the “Marlin Capital of the World.” These waters see Billfish year-round, including Blue, Black, and Striped Marlin. For a chance at all three, head offshore between July and December, when these beasts cruise the underwater caverns in droves.
While the Blue Marlin here don’t often break records with their size, the sheer volume of them will keep you busy. Competitive anglers can put their skills to the test in a number of Billfish tournaments, including the legendary Bisbee’s Black & Blue. You’re allowed to keep one Marlin per boat in Cabo San Lucas, but catch and release is highly encouraged.
Bermuda
About 600 miles east of North Carolina sits the island of Bermuda. The island is home to eight World Cup wins, making it second only to Hawaii. The largest Blue recorded on the island weighed more than 1,352 pounds!
Anyone serious about landing Billfish should chart their course sometime between June and August, when the waters are teeming with Blue and White Marlin. Competitive anglers can partake in the Bermuda Triple Crown, a series of elite tournaments during July. Summer is also when the Bermuda Billfish Release Cup takes place.
For Blue Marlin, there’s a minimum size limit of 250 pounds, but it’s common practice to release all Billfish in Bermuda.
The Azores & Madeira
Sprinkled hundreds of miles off the coast of Portugal lie two autonomous archipelagos: The Azores and Madeira. Both are surrounded by deep water, where the Gulf Stream carries gargantuan Blue Marlin to their doorstep.
Here, the fish average 400–500 pounds, with plenty tipping the scales at over 800 pounds. With odds like these, it’s no surprise the Azores are home to two IGFA world records that weighed over 1,000 pounds! Peak season for Blue Marlin begins around mid-July and lasts until early October.
Blue Marlin fishing in Madeira also picks up around the turn of the season but can be inconsistent from year to year. When the action is on, however, it’s really on, and you can catch some massive fish not far from shore. Note that Marlin fishing in both regions is mainly catch-and-release, with the exception of record-breaking fish.
Ascension Island
For diehard Marlin chasers, we have to recommend Ascension Island. Few anglers get the chance to fish in waters this remote, and you’ll be rewarded for your effort getting there. Limited human imprint has left the surrounding sea untamed, which makes the fish bigger and bolder than you’ve ever seen them before. If you’re looking for a true Robinson Crusoe adventure, come from August to December for the best rewards.
At least seven granders have been caught in these waters. What’s more, Ascension Island lays claim to half of the Atlantic’s Blue Marlin recorded over 1,300 pounds! Those aren’t bad odds for such a tiny island in a big, wide ocean.
The waters surrounding the island are a Marine Protected Area, and you’re generally expected to release any Billfish you catch near Ascension Island (with the exception of world record attempts).
Honorable Mentions
- The Canary Islands. Four IGFA world-record Blues were landed in the waters surrounding Spain’s Canary Islands. The biggest of them weighed in at 802 pounds.
- Cape Verde. This volcanic island off the coast of Africa has seen more than 20 grander Blues over the years and two World Cup wins.
- Vanuatu. Deep underwater canyons snake their way around this archipelago in the South Pacific, bringing Blue Marlin within reach year-round. Still, few anglers have been fortunate enough to hook a local grander. That leaves room for you to come and set the next record!
How to Fish for Blue Marlin
There are multiple ways to go fishing for Marlin. If you’re lucky enough to chase them around the globe, you may encounter some unique methods and even learn a few secrets!
But catching Blue Marlin doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, the most common technique is incredibly basic… Trolling. You’ll usually troll several lines at a time, at around 5 miles per hour or less. Maintaining a low speed is important to keep your bait from skipping along the surface. It also makes dead bait (the top bait choice for trolling) swim more naturally. You can use live bait or lures as well, depending on your preference and the situation.
Sometimes, a Marlin will follow the boat without biting down on any of the hooks you’re dragging behind you. When this happens and you manage to spot the fish from above, you can try the pitch bait method instead. This version of sight fishing involves a spare rod already rigged with dead bait, which you then cast (pitch) to the Marlin.
And then there’s one of the most surprising ways to catch Blue Marlin: fly fishing. Your average fly rod won’t hold up against a sea monster like this, so plan to invest in some specially made gear. This will be designed for greater fighting power than elegant casting, but it still requires much more nuance and precision than trolling.
No matter how you manage to hook a Blue Marlin, expect a ferocious fight. This can last an hour or even more. There’s often vigorous head-shaking and majestic leaps between the waves, which will be both tiring and inspiring to behold. Aside from matching the strength of this fish, your main challenge will be to keep the hook securely lodged in its mouth.
Blue Marlin Fishing Gear & Bait
We’ve got two words for you when it comes to gear: heavy tackle. We’re talking about thick rods and massive, golden reels that hold hundreds of pounds of test line. There’s no go-to length or type of rod per se. Just make sure it’s up to the task and paired with a quality reel that has a lever drag in the 80–130 class range.
Stand-up or bent-butt rods are common, in order to give you extra leverage during a fight. You’ll also want to rely on some support from a fighting belt or harness – if not an entire fighting chair. 100 lb test line is standard for targeting Marlin, along with 10/0 or 12/0 J hooks.
As we mentioned, dead bait is the top choice for Blue Marlin fishing, but you can also opt for live bait. Whole fish like mackerel, mullet, mahi mahi, bonito, bonefish, and barracuda all work well, in addition to squid. You can also target Blue Marlin using a variety of artificials such as trolling lures, squid chains, jets, chuggers, and plungers – you’ll find plenty designed just for Marlin! Some of the best color combos include blue-white, pink-blue, green-yellow, and black-purple.
When to Fish for Blue Marlin
Blue Marlin are highly migratory, so the best time to fish for them depends on where you plan to set sail. Since they’re drawn to warm surface waters, they typically follow ocean currents like the Gulf Stream to areas where the water is 75–78 degrees. This makes them present in large numbers during summer and early fall.
That being said, some destinations like Hawaii and Cabo San Lucas are fortunate enough to have Blue Marlin year-round.
Blue Marlin: A Legend Awaits
Battling a Blue Marlin isn’t just about catching the fish of a lifetime, it’s about surrendering to the raw power of the sea and her ultimate beast. You’ll sail rougher waves than ever before and grapple with gear you never knew they made so robust.
Odds are, you’ll have to leave the comforts of society far behind you for a crack at landing a true trophy. And there’s a good chance the fish will get away. When you come back to shore, people may not believe you. So, forget about bragging rights – that grander you swear you saw may always be your and the sea’s “little” secret!
Have you ever gone fishing for Blue Marlin? Did you manage to land one or did it get away? Let us in on all your stories in the comments below!
