Puerto Rico Blue Marlin Fishing Charters

28 Fishing Charters

Top Puerto Rico Blue Marlin Fishing Destinations

Blue Marlin Fishing in Puerto Rico

Blue Marlin
  • Size 200 to 400lbs
  • Food Value Good
  • Game Qualities Excellent
  • Habitats Offshore

(Makaira nigricans)

The scream and smoke of overworked drag, the shouts of the crew as they coordinate the attack, the terrifying thrill as hundreds of pounds of pure muscle explode out of the water–nothing gets the blood pumping like Marlin fishing, and the Blue Marlin Puerto Rico captains spend their lives battling are some of the toughest in the Caribbean.
 
All around the island, take on the king of Billfish just a few miles from shore. You can get double or even triple-headers when the bite’s hot. The country has only had a few granders so far, but fish in the 500-800 lb range show up each season. Trust us, they’re enough to put even the most skilled sportfishing teams to the test!

When to Visit

The best time to target Blue Marlin in Puerto Rico varied with where on the island you start. San Juan’s main Marlin season runs February-June, when monster Billfish come within a couple of miles of shore. Towards the end of the season, they’re joined by White Marlin. As if there wasn’t enough action already!
 
The south coast has a much shorter season, running March-May. There are fewer charters on this side of Puerto Rico, probably for that exact reason. The west of the island gets not one but two Marlin migrations each year. A second wave shows up in August and stays around through October. They run along the canyons and ridges of the Mona Passage, and can be even better than the spring Marlin bite!
 
A date worth saving is the International Billfishing Tournament. This is one of the world’s oldest Marlin tournaments, celebrating its 65th year in October 2018. Book well in advance if you’re visiting then. Up for a challenge? For under $2,000, you could spend two days fishing one of the world’s best competitions, with beach barbecues, cocktail parties, and award ceremony banquets thrown in for free. Sounds pretty good value when you think about it!

Fishing Techniques

Trolling rules the waves around Puerto Rico. Most charter boats prefer to fast-troll lures, either hitting the buoy FADs around San Juan Harbor or following birds and surface action on the hunt for feeding fish. Pitch baits are also very popular here, trolling unhooked teasers then throwing out a whole, circle-hooked Ballyhoo or Spanish Mackerel just as the fish comes in for the kill. 
 
The Marlin fishing Puerto Rico enjoys each year is enough to make anyone fall in love with the place. The fish are only part of the reason we love it, though. San Juan is an amazing city, the island itself is stunning, and you don’t need a passport to get there from the States. Throw in awesome beaches and great rum and you’ve got the perfect Caribbean getaway!

Puerto Rico Blue Marlin Fishing Seasons

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Seasonality

Blue Marlin fishing in Puerto Rico varies moderately throughout the year. High season is June to September. Low season is January to April and November to December. There is no closed season.
Puerto Rico
Excellent
4.5 / 5
Based on 29,146 reviews by FishingBooker anglers
Puerto Rico: 28 fishing charters available
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(78 reviews)
San Juan
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $350
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(119 reviews)
Puerto Real
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $795
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(456 reviews)
San Juan
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $700
Excellent
4.5 / 5
(332 reviews)
San Juan
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $750
Excellent
4.0 / 5
(29 reviews)
San Juan
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $400
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(81 reviews)
Fajardo
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $950
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(148 reviews)
Fajardo
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $595
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(11 reviews)
Cabo Rojo
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $550

What anglers said about Blue Marlin Fishing in Puerto Rico

We were out before anyone. Other boats came to where we were so I knew Blue Water Charters had the knowledge and experience needed
Excellent
5.0 / 5
We were out before anyone. Other boats came to where we were so I knew Blue Water Charters had the knowledge and experience needed
Blue Water Fishing Puerto Rico
Blue Water Fishing Puerto Rico
Yes!!! The charter captains communicate with each other to ensure the anglers catch fish.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Yes!!! The charter captains communicate with each other to ensure the anglers catch fish.
Kamelia Fishing Charter
Kamelia Fishing Charter
The trip is just as advertised. Bring medicine if anyone with you has seasickness.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
The trip is just as advertised. Bring medicine if anyone with you has seasickness.
Marine Life
Marine Life
Itโ€™s typically dry season but donโ€™t have it fool you water stays the same temperature
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Itโ€™s typically dry season but donโ€™t have it fool you water stays the same temperature
Backwater Tarpon Bay Boat Ranger 23
Backwater Tarpon Bay Boat Ranger 23
Go for the Tarpon, but be ready for a hard rest after, the fight is a true battle.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Go for the Tarpon, but be ready for a hard rest after, the fight is a true battle.
Reel Addiction PR
Reel Addiction PR
Off shore Fishing is high risk high reward best for the experienced angler and even for those who donโ€™t mind waiting patiently- if you want a more hands on experience perhaps inshore is best
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Off shore Fishing is high risk high reward best for the experienced angler and even for those who donโ€™t mind waiting patiently- if you want a more hands on experience perhaps inshore is best
Reel Bless Fishing Charters PR
Reel Bless Fishing Charters PR
Perfect time of year for Tarpon. Avoid the crowds and the Tarpon are everywhere. No joke, Everywhere!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Perfect time of year for Tarpon. Avoid the crowds and the Tarpon are everywhere. No joke, Everywhere!
SuFishNSea Boston Whaler 22โ€™
SuFishNSea Boston Whaler 22โ€™
We have traveled to different countries and fished for many species and the tarpon was probably the best so far
Excellent
5.0 / 5
We have traveled to different countries and fished for many species and the tarpon was probably the best so far
Backwater Tarpon & Snook Fishing
Backwater Tarpon & Snook Fishing
To book this boat itโ€™s great for kids Advice take the medicine one day before and 45 minutes before your trip this way you donโ€™t get sea sick
Excellent
5.0 / 5
To book this boat itโ€™s great for kids Advice take the medicine one day before and 45 minutes before your trip this way you donโ€™t get sea sick
Deep sea fishing
Deep sea fishing
Captain Paco has over 25+ years on this water, donโ€™t book with anyone else, we watched multiple other charter boats not catch a thing but we kept catching them
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Captain Paco has over 25+ years on this water, donโ€™t book with anyone else, we watched multiple other charter boats not catch a thing but we kept catching them
Tarpon Tours
Tarpon Tours
I will definitely book with Capitan Jose Gonzalez again, he has over 30 years experience fishing in the waters of San Juan and he is the best at what he does!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
I will definitely book with Capitan Jose Gonzalez again, he has over 30 years experience fishing in the waters of San Juan and he is the best at what he does!
Blue Water Fishing Puerto Rico
Blue Water Fishing Puerto Rico
Load up on sunscreen. Bring lots of water, snacks, depending on how long your trip is. Listen very carefully to your guide!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Load up on sunscreen. Bring lots of water, snacks, depending on how long your trip is. Listen very carefully to your guide!
Peacock Bass And Tarpon Tours โ€“ Puerto Rico
Peacock Bass And Tarpon Tours โ€“ Puerto Rico
Yes, the captain does most of the work with trolling so it was pretty easy for a beginner
Very good
4.0 / 5
Yes, the captain does most of the work with trolling so it was pretty easy for a beginner
Reel Bless Fishing Charters PR
Reel Bless Fishing Charters PR
Listening to the captain always giving advice sit back and enjoy . Stay ready bite happens quick we had ten hits got 3 close to the boat are fault for drops then my son hooked a big one with 2 min left in trip landed it 55- 60 pounder tarpon canโ€™t say thanks to Luis enough great family time
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Listening to the captain always giving advice sit back and enjoy . Stay ready bite happens quick we had ten hits got 3 close to the boat are fault for drops then my son hooked a big one with 2 min left in trip landed it 55- 60 pounder tarpon canโ€™t say thanks to Luis enough great family time
SuFishNSea Boston Whaler 22โ€™
SuFishNSea Boston Whaler 22โ€™
Come to the area using main roads, you may want to book a bigger boat than you need as it will get tight and be clear of what your expecting as inshore is more intercoastal/lagoon than open saltwater but there are still big fish in that area.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Come to the area using main roads, you may want to book a bigger boat than you need as it will get tight and be clear of what your expecting as inshore is more intercoastal/lagoon than open saltwater but there are still big fish in that area.
Backwater Tarpon Bay Boat Ranger 23
Backwater Tarpon Bay Boat Ranger 23
Its called fishing not catching be patient and it will happen just be patient captain will do his best to put you on fish and jose is awsome so is the captain they are a awsome I can't say that enough book your trip with them will have a great time
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Its called fishing not catching be patient and it will happen just be patient captain will do his best to put you on fish and jose is awsome so is the captain they are a awsome I can't say that enough book your trip with them will have a great time
Blue Water Fishing Puerto Rico
Blue Water Fishing Puerto Rico
If want someone who knows tarpon and will get you on them, this is for you!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
If want someone who knows tarpon and will get you on them, this is for you!
Backwater Tarpon Bay Boat Ranger 23
Backwater Tarpon Bay Boat Ranger 23
Itโ€™s not prime season for game fish but our crew was vigilant and we spotted some Mahi Mahi. We reeled in two!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Itโ€™s not prime season for game fish but our crew was vigilant and we spotted some Mahi Mahi. We reeled in two!
Blue Water Fishing Puerto Rico
Blue Water Fishing Puerto Rico
If you are wanting big fish go deep sea. If you are wanting something a bit smaller easier to catch consider incoast fishing.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
If you are wanting big fish go deep sea. If you are wanting something a bit smaller easier to catch consider incoast fishing.
Blue Water Fishing Puerto Rico
Blue Water Fishing Puerto Rico
Go with Francisco . He will show you exactly how to catch these fish. He had everything we could possibly need from drinks , to sun screen to bug spray . Just great
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Go with Francisco . He will show you exactly how to catch these fish. He had everything we could possibly need from drinks , to sun screen to bug spray . Just great
Tarpon Tours
Tarpon Tours

Fish Species Similar to Blue Marlin in Puerto Rico