Miami Marlin fishing is one of the most exciting angling adventures in Florida, with high stakes and even higher rewards. Fishermen from all over the country come to Miami to get a taste of premier fishing opportunities and go home with a trophy catch (or with photos of one).
This is the place to be if you’re looking to hook your first-ever Marlin, but be ready, these gorgeous beasts are the ultimate fishing challenge. Marlin are one of the most sought-after sport fish, and as soon as you have one on the line, you’ll understand exactly why that’s the case.
What to Catch
Blue and White Marlin are among the most prestigious catches here because of their fighting prowess and size. White Marlin are much smaller than Blue Marlin, and they’re in the range of 80–100 pounds, though the record catch in these waters weighed 161 pounds.
Blue Marlin are the swift and agile predators of the deep and battling one of them will be the workout of a lifetime. Blues can grow to be truly gigantic, up to 1,000 pounds and even more, if you’re lucky. Still, their average size is 200–400 pounds, but their acrobatics and jumps make it very challenging to get them to the boat quickly.
Because Marlin have been overfished in the past and they’re at the top of the marine ecosystem, they must always be released. You shouldn’t take the fish out of the water, but you can always snap a couple of quick photos with it alongside the boat.
When to Go
Summer is the time when Marlin reign supreme in the Miami offshore waters, specifically from May to late July. These Billfish like to move around a lot, so it’s not always easy staying on their trail. If you’ve never fished in the area before, your safest bet is organizing a fishing trip with a knowledgeable local guide.
It’s wise to book a full day trip (8–9 hours) that cost around $1,100–$1,300. These trips give you the time to get to the best spots and fish for the rest of the day. If you’d like more time on the water, 12-hour trips are also a possibility and they’re in the $1,500–$2,500 ballpark. For true fishing enthusiasts, there are multi-day trips that will take you fishing in the Bahamas for $1,500 a day for the whole group.
What to Expect
The most productive Marlin grounds are further offshore, at the outer edge of the continental shelf known as “The Wall.” This means you’ll travel at least 20 miles (possibly more) to find that hot bite. Thankfully, deep sea fishing charters are very popular in Miami, so there are plenty of local guides to choose from.
The longer runs to the Gulf will put you on the bite of both Blue and White Marlin, and here, trolling is the name of the game. Because Marlin are basically torpedos with fins and bills, the boat has to be moving at a speed of up to 15 mph with a sizeable live bait on the hook (small Mahi Mahi, Tuna, or Bonito) to attract their attention. They love deep waters and they religiously follow their food.
Go after Blue Marlin a couple of days before and after the full moon, that’s when the action is the best. White Marlin often travel with Sailfish and are very active during the spring and fall. Kite fishing for Marlin is another technique you can try on Miami fishing trips, if you’d like to try out something new.
How to Prepare
All you’ll really need for an unforgettable Marlin fishing experience is a skillful captain, a bit of luck, and patience. Your guide will provide the licenses and fishing gear, your only concern are food and drinks, as well as plenty of sun protection. Miami Marlin fishing will open new fishing horizons for you, all you have to do is reel, reel, reel, as if your life depended on it!
