{"id":29292,"date":"2021-07-08T11:03:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-08T09:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/?page_id=29292"},"modified":"2023-03-14T10:05:16","modified_gmt":"2023-03-14T09:05:16","slug":"billfish-fishing-101","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/billfish-fishing-101\/","title":{"rendered":"Billfish 101: Types, Tactics, Tournaments, and More"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 9<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span>\n<!------------ STYLING -------------->\n\n<style>\n  h2 {\n    color: #333;\n    font-weight: bold;\n    font-size: 30px;\n    line-height: 40px;\n    margin-top: 20px;\n    margin-bottom: 10px;\n  }\n\n  h3 {\n    color: #333;\n    font-weight: bold;\n    font-size: 24px;\n    line-height: 33px;\n    margin-top: 20px;\n    margin-bottom: 10px;\n  }\n\n  h4 {\n    color: #333;\n    font-weight: bold;\n    font-size: 20px;\n    line-height: 28px;\n    margin-top: 20px;\n    margin-bottom: 10px;\n  }\n\n  p {\n    color: #333;\n    font-size: 18px;\n    line-height: 28px;\n    padding-bottom: 20px;\n    margin-bottom: 0px;\n  }\n\n  br {\n    display: block;\n    content: \"\";\n    margin-top: 10px;\n  }\n\n  ol,\n  ul {\n    margin-top: 0;\n    margin-bottom: 10px;\n  }\n\n  li {\n    font-size: 18px;\n    padding-bottom: 15px;\n    line-height: 1.42857143;\n    color: #333;\n  }\n\n  .item-thumbnail {\n    background: #2e2e2e;\n    text-align: center;\n    width: auto;\n    height: 160px;\n    display: block;\n  }\n\n  .tile-margin {\n    margin: 0px;\n  }\n\n  .tile-padding {\n    padding: 5px;\n  }\n\n  .centered-image {\n    object-position: 50% 50%;\n  }\n\n  .tile-heading {\n    text-align: center;\n    padding: 0, 15px;\n  }\n\n  .tile-text {\n    font-size: 16px;\n    padding-bottom: 10px;\n  }\n\n  .black-override {\n    color: #333;\n  }\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n<p>When you think of Billfish, you probably imagine a monster Blue Marlin bursting out of the water, or a pack of Sailfish tearing through a tight ball of Ballyhoo. These are definitely the A-listers of the group, but there\u2019s a lot more to them than that. Billfish are a whole family of fish, with eight species spread all over the world, from the surface to the murky depths below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/07\/14143034\/billfish-101.jpg\" alt=\"A Black Marlin, the largest species of Billfish, breaching the surface of the sea, with a sportfishing boat in the distance\" class=\"wp-image-29614\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/07\/14143034\/billfish-101.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/07\/14143034\/billfish-101-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/07\/14143034\/billfish-101-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve written a lot about Billfish over the years, so it only seems right to put it all together. Whether you\u2019re looking for identification guides, techniques, tournaments, or top fishing spots for each species, you&#8217;ve come to the right place. We\u2019ve rolled everything into one complete guide to the oceans\u2019 most impressive fish family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"billfish-species\">Billfish Species<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<!--------- FISH SPECIES --------->\n\n<div class=\"row\">\n\n  <div class=\"tile-padding col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-3\">\n    <div class=\" panel panel-default\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/marlin-black\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive centered-image\" src=\"https:\/\/static.fishingbooker.com\/public\/images\/fish\/275x160\/marlin-black.png\" alt=\"An illustration of a Black Marlin\"><\/a>\n      <div class=\"caption\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/marlin-black\">\n          <h4 id=\"black-marlin\">Black Marlin<\/h4>\n        <\/a>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"tile-padding col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-3\">\n    <div class=\" panel panel-default\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/marlin-blue\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" img-responsive centered-image\" src=\"https:\/\/static.fishingbooker.com\/public\/images\/fish\/275x160\/marlin-blue.png\" alt=\"An illustration of a Blue Marlin\"><\/a>\n      <div class=\"caption\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/marlin-blue\">\n          <h4 id=\"blue-marlin\">Blue Marlin<\/h4>\n        <\/a>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\" tile-padding col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-3\">\n    <div class=\" panel panel-default\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/marlin-striped\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive centered-image\" src=\"https:\/\/static.fishingbooker.com\/public\/images\/fish\/275x160\/marlin-striped.png\" alt=\"An illustration of a Striped Marlin\"><\/a>\n      <div class=\"caption\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/marlin-striped\">\n          <h4 id=\"striped-marlin\">Striped Marlin<\/h4>\n        <\/a>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"tile-padding col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-3\">\n    <div class=\" panel panel-default\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/marlin-white\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive centered-image\" src=\"https:\/\/static.fishingbooker.com\/public\/images\/fish\/275x160\/marlin-white.png\" alt=\"An illustration of a White Marlin\"><\/a>\n      <div class=\"caption\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/marlin-white\">\n          <h4 id=\"white-marlin\">White Marlin<\/h4>\n        <\/a>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"tile-padding col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-3\">\n    <div class=\" panel panel-default\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/sailfish\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive centered-image\" src=\"https:\/\/static.fishingbooker.com\/public\/images\/fish\/275x160\/sailfish.png\" alt=\"An illustration of a Sailfish\"><\/a>\n      <div class=\"caption\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/sailfish\">\n          <h4 id=\"sailfish\">Sailfish<\/h4>\n        <\/a>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"tile-padding col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-3\">\n    <div class=\" panel panel-default\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/spearfish-longbill\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive centered-image\" src=\"https:\/\/static.fishingbooker.com\/public\/images\/fish\/275x160\/spearfish-longbill.png\" alt=\"An illustration of a Longbill Spearfish\"><\/a>\n      <div class=\"caption\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/spearfish-longbill\">\n          <h4 id=\"longbill-spearfish\">Longbill Spearfish<\/h4>\n        <\/a>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"tile-padding col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-3\">\n    <div class=\" panel panel-default\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/spearfish-shortbill\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive centered-image\" src=\"https:\/\/static.fishingbooker.com\/public\/images\/fish\/275x160\/spearfish-shortbill.png\" alt=\"An illustration of a Shortbill Spearfish\"><\/a>\n      <div class=\"caption\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/spearfish-shortbill\">\n          <h4 id=\"shortbill-spearfish\">Shortbill Spearfish<\/h4>\n        <\/a>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"tile-padding col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-3\">\n    <div class=\" panel panel-default\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/swordfish\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive centered-image\" src=\"https:\/\/static.fishingbooker.com\/public\/images\/fish\/275x160\/swordfish.png\" alt=\"An illustration of a Swordfish\"><\/a>\n      <div class=\"caption\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/swordfish\">\n          <h4 id=\"swordfish\">Swordfish<\/h4>\n        <\/a>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The four main types of Billfish are Marlin, Sailfish, Swordfish, and Spearfish. Marlin are the most diverse, with four separate species: Black, Blue, Striped, and White, in rough order of size. White Marlin live in the Atlantic; Black and Striped Marlin live in the Indo-Pacific; Blue Marlin live pretty much everywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s a similar story with Spearfish. There are two main species, Longbills and Shortbills. Longbills live in the Atlantic, Shortbills in the Indo-Pacific. There are also two subspecies of Longbill in and around the Mediterranean Sea, namely Mediterranean and Roundscale Spearfish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sailfish and Swordfish are the only children of the Billfish family. Some people say that Atlantic and Pacific Sailfish are separate species, but the only difference is that they get bigger in the Pacific. Everyone agrees that there\u2019s only one Swordfish, although some people call them Broadbill instead \u2013 because <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/confusing-fish-names\/\">fish names are never that easy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"billfish-identification\">Billfish Identification<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<!---------- IDENTIFICATION ----------->\n\n\n<div class=\"row\">\n   <div class=\"tile-padding col-xs-12 col-sm-6\">\n      <div class=\"thumbnail\">\n         <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/sailfish-vs-marlin\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive centered-image\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/07\/14143037\/White-Marlin-2.jpg\" alt=\"A White Marlin fish jumping out of the water with a hook in its mouth\"><\/a>\n         <div class=\"caption\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/sailfish-vs-marlin\">\n               <h4 id=\"sailfish-vs-marlin\">Sailfish vs. Marlin<\/h4>\n            <\/a>\n            <p class=\"tile-text\">The world of comics has Batman and Superman, we, anglers, have Sailfish and Marlin!\n               These mighty fish\n               may&#8230;<\/p>\n         <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n   <\/div>\n   <div class=\"tile-padding col-xs-12 col-sm-6\">\n      <div class=\"thumbnail\">\n         <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/sailfish-vs-swordfish-all-you-need-to-know\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive centered-image\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/07\/14143038\/Sailfish-1.jpg\" alt=\"A Sailfish swimming underwater\"><\/a>\n         <div class=\"caption\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/sailfish-vs-swordfish-all-you-need-to-know\/\">\n               <h4>Sailfish vs.\n                  Swordfish<\/h4>\n            <\/a>\n            <p class=\"tile-text\">Sailfish and Swordfish are two of the most awe-inspiring fish you\u2019ll ever see. Widely\n               recognized as apex&#8230;<\/p>\n         <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>All Billfish have a distinctive look: sleek body, long fins, and of course, that signature bill. This makes them instantly recognizable, but tough to tell apart. Marlin are the trickiest, partly because there are so many of them, but the main way to identify them at a glance is by their dorsal fin.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In general, the bigger the Marlin, the smaller the dorsal fin, relative to their body size. Black Marlin are the biggest and fattest with the smallest fin, running through Blues and Stripes to White Marlin, which are the smallest with a giant, rounded fin. There\u2019s a lot more to it than that, obviously, and we go into each species in detail in our <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/marlin-fishing\/\">Marlin fishing guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/07\/14143017\/Marlin-Identification.png\" alt=\"An infographic explaining how to identify Black, Blue, White, and Striped Marlin based on their fin and stripes\" class=\"wp-image-29702\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/07\/14143017\/Marlin-Identification.png 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/07\/14143017\/Marlin-Identification-300x211.png 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/07\/14143017\/Marlin-Identification-768x540.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Sailfish are easy to spot thanks to the massive fin that earned them their name. Their sail runs from head to tail and is bigger than on any other fish. A Spearfish&#8217;s dorsal fin also run the length of its body. However, it&#8217;s much shorter, and sticks up higher at the front. Oh, and in case you didn\u2019t guess, Longbills have longer bills than Shortbills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lastly, Swordfish. The thing that makes these guys different is that they\u2019re built for power, not speed. Their tail is larger, their fins thicker and longer, and their bill broader than any of their cousins \u2013 hence the nickname, Broadbill. If that&#8217;s not enough, Swordfish also have much bigger eyes to help them hunt in the dark waters beneath the surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"techniques-and-tackle\">Techniques and Tackle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<!---------- HOW TO CATCH ----------->\n\n\n<div class=\"row\">\n  <div class=\"tile-padding col-xs-12 col-sm-6\">\n    <div class=\"thumbnail\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/proven-daytime-swordfish-tactics\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive centered-image\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/07\/14143038\/Swordfish-1.jpg\" alt=\"A couple sitting on a charter fishing boat with a large swordfish on their lap\"><\/a>\n      <div class=\"caption\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/proven-daytime-swordfish-tactics\/\">\n          <h4 id=\"daytime-swordfishing-tactics\">Daytime Swordfishing Tactics<\/h4>\n        <\/a>\n        <p class=\"tile-text\">Swordfish are among the fiercest predators in the ocean, praised by anglers for their\n          brutish demeanor and\n          meaty&#8230;\n        <\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"tile-padding col-xs-12 col-sm-6\">\n    <div class=\"thumbnail\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/marlin-fishing\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive centered-image\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/07\/14143039\/Blue-Marlin-2.jpg\" alt=\"A large Marlin fish bursting out of the water near a sportfishing boat, with land in the distance\"><\/a>\n      <div class=\"caption\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/marlin-fishing\/\">\n          <h4 id=\"marlin-fishing-guide\">Marlin Fishing Guide<\/h4>\n        <\/a>\n        <p class=\"tile-text\">Marlin fishing is one of the most exciting challenges facing any angler. Marlin are fast,\n          they\u2019re athletic,\n          and&#8230;<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Billfish are very cool to look at, but the reason most anglers love them is the way they fight. Nothing will test your skills like a 500 lb Marlin on the end of your line. Even the humble Spearfish puts on a show when hooked. You\u2019ll need the right gear and the right tactics to stand a chance against any of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The go-to technique on most billfishing trips is trolling. Setups vary wildly, from colourful spreads of lures and teasers to a single live fish. Sailfish guides sometimes fly kites to keep your <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/fishing-bait-101\/\">bait<\/a> skipping along the surface. Whatever you\u2019re using, the logic is the same: pull something tasty-looking behind the boat and tempt nearby fish to bite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Swordfish are a different story. These guys live hundreds of feet below the surface, and that\u2019s where you need to catch them. They hunt closer to the surface at night, which makes them easier to target. However, some anglers also go swordfishing during the day, using specialized deep dropping gear. Think glow sticks, electric reels, and lots of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>None of these float your boat? Not a problem! People have caught Billfish in all sorts of crazy ways, from fly fishing to spearfishing. We\u2019re not going to pretend these are easy, but with enough practice and a little luck anything is possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"top-billfishing-spots\">Top Billfishing Spots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<!---------- FISHING SPOTS ----------->\n\n\n<div class=\"row\">\n  <div class=\"tile-padding col-xs-12 col-sm-4\">\n    <div class=\"thumbnail\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/top-7-billfish-destinations\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive centered-image\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/07\/14143037\/Blue-Marlin-3.jpg\" alt=\"A man leaning over the side of a boat next to a giant Blue Marlin in the water\"><\/a>\n      <div class=\"caption\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/top-7-billfish-destinations\/\">\n          <h4 id=\"top-billfishing-destinations\">Top Billfishing Destinations<\/h4>\n        <\/a>\n        <p class=\"tile-text\">Ever since Ernest Hemingway\u2019s Old Man And The Sea, Billfish have held a special place in&#8230;\n        <\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"tile-padding col-xs-12 col-sm-4\">\n    <div class=\"thumbnail\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/great-barrier-reef-black-marlin-fishing\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive centered-image\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/07\/14143039\/Black-Marlin-1.jpg\" alt=\"A large Marlin fish bursting out of the water near a sportfishing boat, with land in the distance\"><\/a>\n      <div class=\"caption\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/great-barrier-reef-black-marlin-fishing\/\">\n          <h4>Great Barrier Reef Black\n            Marlin<\/h4>\n        <\/a>\n        <p class=\"tile-text\">The Great Barrier Reef is, without question, the world\u2019s premier big game fishing\n          destination&#8230;<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"tile-padding col-xs-12 col-sm-4\">\n    <div class=\"thumbnail\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/sailfish-alley-the-perfect-place-for-the-perfect-fish\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive centered-image\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/07\/14143038\/Sailfish-2.jpg\" alt=\"A close-up shot of a Sailfish underwater\"><\/a>\n      <div class=\"caption\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/sailfish-alley-the-perfect-place-for-the-perfect-fish\/\">\n          <h4>Sailfish\n            Alley South Florida<\/h4>\n        <\/a>\n        <p class=\"tile-text\">Looking out into the Gulf Stream, Florida\u2019s Treasure Coast is perfectly suited for amazing\n          offshore&#8230;<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>So, you\u2019ve got your heart set on landing a monster. But where should you do it? Billfish prefer deep, warm water. Beyond that, a lot depends on your priorities, not to mention your budget. However, when it comes to the fishing itself, here are some of the best spots for each species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordionSpearfish\" role=\"tablist\" aria-multiselectable=\"true\">\n\n  <!-------------------------- Black Marlin ------------------------------>\n  <div class=\"panel panel-default\">\n    <div class=\"panel-heading\" role=\"tab\" id=\"headingBlackMarlin\">\n      <a class=\"collapsed\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordionSpearfish\" href=\"#collapseBlackMarlin\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"collapseBlackMarlin\">\n        <h3 id=\"best-black-marlin-fishing-spots\">Best Black Marlin Fishing Spots<\/h3>\n      <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n    <div id=\"collapseBlackMarlin\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse in\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"headingBlackMarlin\">\n      <div class=\"panel-body\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/07\/14143025\/Black-Marlin-Spots.jpg\" alt=\"A Black Marlin bursting out of the water with a hook in its mouth\" style=\"padding-bottom: 20px; max-width: 100%;\">\n        <p>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/destinations\/location\/au\/ql\/cairns\"><strong>Cairns,\n              Australia<\/strong><\/a><strong>: <\/strong>Giant. Black. Marlin. We really don\u2019t need to say much more.\n          Heavy tackle season on Australia\u2019s Great Barrier Reef is the stuff of legends, and Cairns is the best place to\n          launch out from.\n          <br>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/destinations\/location\/us\/fl\/panama-city-beach\"><strong>Panama City,\n              Panama<\/strong><\/a><strong>: <\/strong>Looking for a city break with world-class sportfishing thrown in?\n          Look no further. Panama\u2019s capital city has an outstanding Marlin bite, especially around the islands offshore.\n        <\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <!-------------------------- Blue Marlin ------------------------------>\n  <div class=\"panel panel-default\">\n    <div class=\"panel-heading\" role=\"tab\" id=\"headingBlueMarlin\">\n      <a class=\"collapsed\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordionSpearfish\" href=\"#collapseBlueMarlin\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapseBlueMarlin\">\n        <h3 id=\"best-blue-marlin-fishing-spots\">Best Blue Marlin Fishing Spots<\/h3>\n      <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n    <div id=\"collapseBlueMarlin\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"headingBlueMarlin\">\n      <div class=\"panel-body\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/07\/14143025\/Blue-Marlin-Spots.jpg\" alt=\"A Blue Marlin bursting out of the watr\" style=\"padding-bottom: 20px; max-width: 100%;\">\n        <p>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/marlin-blue\/pt\/MA\"><strong>Madeira, Portugal<\/strong><\/a><strong>:\n          <\/strong>This small Portuguese island chain comes up time and again in the Billfish record books. Why?\n          Granders are caught here every year, just a stone\u2019s throw from shore, that\u2019s why.\n          <br>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/destinations\/location\/ke\/watamu\"><strong>Watamu,\n              Kenya<\/strong><\/a><strong>: <\/strong>Kenya only made it onto the sportfishing map a few years ago, but\n          it\u2019s made a\n          real name for itself thanks to some truly giant Marlin, with super-sized Sailfish as a bonus!\n        <\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <!-------------------------- Striped Marlin ------------------------------>\n  <div class=\"panel panel-default\">\n    <div class=\"panel-heading\" role=\"tab\" id=\"headingStripedMarlin\">\n      <a class=\"collapsed\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordionSpearfish\" href=\"#collapseStripedMarlin\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapseStripedMarlin\">\n        <h3 id=\"best-striped-marlin-fishing-spots\">Best Striped Marlin Fishing Spots<\/h3>\n      <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n    <div id=\"collapseStripedMarlin\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"headingStripedMarlin\">\n      <div class=\"panel-body\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/07\/14143024\/Striped-Marlin-Spots.jpg\" alt=\"A Striped Marlin underwater\" style=\"padding-bottom: 20px; max-width: 100%;\">\n        <p>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/destinations\/region\/nz\/bay-of-islands\"><strong>Bay of Islands, New\n              Zealand<\/strong><\/a><strong>: <\/strong>This is the best place for Striped Marlin, period. Over <a href=\"https:\/\/igfa.org\/igfa-world-records-search\/?search_type=CommonNameSummary&amp;search_term_1=Marlin%2C+striped\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">20 world records<\/a> were set for them around the remote\n          islands off the north of NZ \u2013 including the all-tackle\n          record.\n          <br>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/destinations\/location\/mx\/bs\/cabo-san-lucas\"><strong>Cabo San Lucas,\n              Mexico<\/strong><\/a><strong>: <\/strong>Cabo can\u2019t compete with New Zealand, but it doesn\u2019t need to. The\n          fishing here\u2019s amazing, for more than just Stripes. Plus, it\u2019s a darned sight easier to get to for most\n          people.\n        <\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <!-------------------------- White Marlin ------------------------------>\n  <div class=\"panel panel-default\">\n    <div class=\"panel-heading\" role=\"tab\" id=\"headingWhiteMarlin\">\n      <a class=\"collapsed\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordionSpearfish\" href=\"#collapseWhiteMarlin\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapseWhiteMarlin\">\n        <h3 id=\"best-white-marlin-fishing-spots\">Best White Marlin Fishing Spots<\/h3>\n      <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n    <div id=\"collapseWhiteMarlin\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"headingWhiteMarlin\">\n      <div class=\"panel-body\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/07\/14143023\/White-Marlin-Spots.jpg\" alt=\"A White Marlin held out of the water on the side of a boat\" style=\"padding-bottom: 20px; max-width: 100%;\">\n        <p>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/destinations\/location\/us\/MD\/ocean-city\"><strong>Ocean City,\n              MD<\/strong><\/a><strong>: <\/strong>Ocean City has some of the best and most consistent White Marlin fishing\n          around. It may not be the most famous East Coast fishing spot, but when it comes to Marlin, this is the top\n          dog.\n          <br>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/destinations\/location\/do\/punta-cana\"><strong>Punta Cana, Dominican\n              Republic<\/strong><\/a><strong>: <\/strong>Punta Cana\u2019s White Marlin season sees literally thousands of\n          Billfish channeled straight past the island. Double-digit hookups are a real possibility here.\n        <\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <!-------------------------- Sailfish ------------------------------>\n  <div class=\"panel panel-default\">\n    <div class=\"panel-heading\" role=\"tab\" id=\"headingSailfish\">\n      <a class=\"collapsed\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordionSpearfish\" href=\"#collapseSailfish\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapseSailfish\">\n        <h3 id=\"best-sailfishing-spots\">Best Sailfishing Spots<\/h3>\n      <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n    <div id=\"collapseSailfish\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"headingSailfish\">\n      <div class=\"panel-body\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/07\/14143025\/Sailfish-Spots.jpg\" alt=\"A Sailfish held next to a boat before being released\" style=\"padding-bottom: 20px; max-width: 100%;\">\n        <p>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/destinations\/location\/cr\/pu\/jaco\"><strong>Jac\u00f3, Costa\n              Rica<\/strong><\/a><strong>: <\/strong>We chose Jaco because of the giant marina at the nearby Los Sue\u00f1os\n          resort. But honestly, the entire country is outstanding, with extra marks for its emphasis on sustainable\n          fishing.\n          <br>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/destinations\/location\/us\/fl\/stuart\"><strong>Stuart,\n              Florida<\/strong><\/a><strong>: <\/strong>Sitting in the middle of the infamous <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/sailfish-alley-the-perfect-place-for-the-perfect-fish\/\">Sailfish\n            Alley<\/a>, Stuart has earned the title of \u201cSailfish Capital of the World.\u201d And with packs of angry Sails\n          just a mile or two from land, we can see why.\n        <\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <!-------------------------- Spearfish ------------------------------>\n  <div class=\"panel panel-default\">\n    <div class=\"panel-heading\" role=\"tab\" id=\"headingSpearfish\">\n      <a class=\"collapsed\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordionSpearfish\" href=\"#collapseSpearfish\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapseSpearfish\">\n        <h3 id=\"best-spearfishing-spots\">Best Spearfishing Spots<\/h3>\n      <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n    <div id=\"collapseSpearfish\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"headingSpearfish\">\n      <div class=\"panel-body\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/07\/14143024\/Spearfish-Spots.jpg\" alt=\"A happy angler holding a Shortbill Spearfish on a fishing charter\" style=\"padding-bottom: 20px; max-width: 100%;\">\n        <p>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/destinations\/location\/us\/hi\/kailua-kona\"><strong>Kailua-Kona,\n              Hawaii<\/strong><\/a><strong>: <\/strong>There are only a few places on earth where you can actively target\n          Spearfish. Hawaii&#8217;s the best because even if you don\u2019t catch a Spearfish, you&#8217;ll probably hook a Marlin or\n          three instead.\n          <br>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/destinations\/region\/es\/mallorca\"><strong>Mallorca,\n              Spain<\/strong><\/a><strong>: <\/strong>The Mediterranean is mainly known for its Bluefin Tuna fishing. But\n          if you\u2019re set on Spearfish, Spain\u2019s Balearic Islands are about as good as it gets. They sure are pretty, too.\n        <\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <!-------------------------- Swordfish ------------------------------>\n  <div class=\"panel panel-default\">\n    <div class=\"panel-heading\" role=\"tab\" id=\"headingSwordfish\">\n      <a class=\"collapsed\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordionSpots\" href=\"#collapseSwordfish\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapseSwordfish\">\n        <h3 id=\"best-swordfishing-spots\">Best Swordfishing Spots<\/h3>\n      <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n    <div id=\"collapseSwordfish\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"headingSwordfish\">\n      <div class=\"panel-body\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/07\/14143024\/Swordfish-Spots.jpg\" alt=\"A Swordfish swimming underwater\" style=\"padding-bottom: 20px; max-width: 100%;\">\n        <p>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/destinations\/region\/us\/florida-keys\"><strong>Keys,\n              Florida<\/strong><\/a><strong>: <\/strong>The Florida Keys are the heartland of swordfishing, as is nearby\n          Miami. Daytime swordfishing was born here, and local captains are still the best in the business when it comes\n          to Broadbills.\n          <br>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/destinations\/region\/nz\/bay-of-islands\"><strong>Bay of Islands, New\n              Zealand<\/strong><\/a><strong>: <\/strong>The Bay of Islands makes it onto our list twice, it&#8217;s just that\n          good. Truth is, though, the entire Northland Peninsula is a Swordfish hotspot \u2013 as is much of the country.\n        <\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <!-------------------------- Variety ------------------------------>\n  <div class=\"panel panel-default\">\n    <div class=\"panel-heading\" role=\"tab\" id=\"headingVariety\">\n      <a class=\"collapsed\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordionSpots\" href=\"#collapseVariety\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapseVariety\">\n        <h3 id=\"best-all-round-fishing-spots\">Best All-Round Fishing Spots<\/h3>\n      <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n    <div id=\"collapseVariety\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"headingVariety\">\n      <div class=\"panel-body\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/07\/14143023\/Variety-of-Billfish.jpg\" alt=\"A group of Billfish hunting underwater\" style=\"padding-bottom: 20px; max-width: 100%;\">\n        <p>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/destinations\/location\/mx\/bs\/cabo-san-lucas\"><strong>Cabo San Lucas,\n              Mexico<\/strong><\/a><strong>: <\/strong>If you want multiple types of Billfish in a single day, this is the\n          place. Blue, Black, and Striped Marlin are all here, as are Sailfish, and even Swordfish if you know where to\n          look.\n          <br>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/destinations\/location\/us\/hi\/kailua-kona\"><strong>Kailua-Kona,\n              Hawaii<\/strong><\/a><strong>: <\/strong>Kona is a magnet for big Billfish, with the same four Marlin species that call Cabo home. Hawaii doesn&#8217;t get many Sailfish for some reason, but they do get a lot of Shortbill\n          Spearfish.\n        <\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"billfish-tournaments\">Billfish Tournaments<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<!--------- TOURNAMENTS --------->\n<div class=\"row\">\n  <div class=\"tile-padding col-xs-12 col-sm-4\">\n    <div class=\"thumbnail\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/tournaments\/view\/big-rock\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive centered-image\"\n          src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/07\/14143040\/Big-Rock-1.jpg\"\n          alt=\"A man leaning over the side of a boat next to a giant Blue Marlin in the water\"><\/a>\n      <div class=\"caption\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/tournaments\/view\/big-rock\"><h4 id=\"big-rock-blue-marlin\">Big Rock Blue Marlin<\/h4><\/a>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"tile-padding col-xs-12 col-sm-4\">\n    <div class=\"thumbnail\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/tournaments\/view\/bisbees-black-and-blue\/\"><img decoding=\"async\"\n          class=\"img-responsive centered-image\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/07\/14143040\/Bisbee-1.jpg\"\n          alt=\"A large Marlin fish bursting out of the water near a sportfishing boat, with land in the distance\"><\/a>\n      <div class=\"caption\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/tournaments\/view\/bisbees-black-and-blue\/\"><h4 id=\"bisbee-black-blue\">Bisbee Black &#038; Blue<\/h4><\/a>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"tile-padding col-xs-12 col-sm-4\">\n    <div class=\"thumbnail\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/tournaments\/view\/white-marlin-open\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive centered-image\"\n          src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/07\/14143037\/White-Marlin-Open-1.jpg\"\n          alt=\"A close-up shot of a Sailfish underwater\"><\/a>\n      <div class=\"caption\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/tournaments\/view\/white-marlin-open\"><h4 id=\"white-marlin-open\">White Marlin Open<\/h4><\/a>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>There are literally hundreds of Billfish tournaments around the world. We won\u2019t go into every single one, but tournament fishing is such a big part of the billfishing scene we had to tip our hat to a few.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re strictly about the Blue Marlin, Morehead City\u2019s Big Rock Tournament is the one for you. Prefer Whites? Ocean City\u2019s White Marlin Open is a must. Then there\u2019s the Bisbee Black and Blue. This is the biggest, most famous tournament out there, with millions of dollars in prizes and the kind of parties you\u2019d expect for such an extravagant event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is just the tip of the iceberg. But honestly, you&#8217;d need an entire book to cover every Billfish tournament in the world. Wherever you\u2019re fishing and whatever you\u2019re targeting, if it\u2019s big and billed, you can bet there\u2019s a tournament for it somewhere close by.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"the-ultimate-sportfish\">The Ultimate Sportfish<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2023\/03\/14134432\/Sailfish-billfishing.jpg\" alt=\"A man leaning over the side of a boat pulling a hooked Sailfish towards it so that he can safely release it\" class=\"wp-image-48008\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2023\/03\/14134432\/Sailfish-billfishing.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2023\/03\/14134432\/Sailfish-billfishing-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2023\/03\/14134432\/Sailfish-billfishing-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2023\/03\/14134432\/Sailfish-billfishing-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Billfish really are the ultimate species for ambitious anglers. Bass are fun, Salmon are exciting, but nothing beats the feeling of spotting a Sailfish basking on the surface, or the thrill of a Marlin bursting out of the water. People travel all around the world for a chance of catching them. If you ask us, that\u2019s time well spent.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When you think of Billfish, you probably imagine a monster Blue Marlin bursting out of the water, or a pack of Sailfish tearing through a tight ball of Ballyhoo. These are definitely the A-listers of the group, but there\u2019s a lot more to them than that. Billfish are a whole family of fish, with eight [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":29614,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-29292","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Billfish 101: Types, Tactics, Tournaments, and More - FishingBooker Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/billfish-fishing-101\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Billfish 101: Types, Tactics, Tournaments, and More\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"the ultimate guide to Billfish, with info on tournaments, techniques, fish identification, fishing spots \u2013 whatever you&#039;re after, it&#039;s here.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/billfish-fishing-101\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"FishingBooker Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FishingBooker\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-03-14T09:05:16+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/07\/billfish-101.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"683\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"15 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Billfish 101: Types, Tactics, Tournaments, and More - 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