Marlin fishing
Marlin fishing brings together all the ways to target this amazing predator. Marlin are mostly caught trolling artificials or dead bait behind the boat at a speed ranging from 6 tot 10 knots. This fish is a fighting machine so make sure you have adequate fishing tackle on board.
Equipment required for Marlin fishing
The common way to go marlin fishing is of course with a suitable fishing boat. You can either use natural bait, lures or live bait to target marlin species.
You will also require a strong fishing rod and reel combination as well as suitable strength line and leader.
Species to target when Marlin fishing
There are a few different fish species in the marlin family. Common species that sports anglers target are the prized blue marlin from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, white marlin, striped marlin, speerfish and black marlin. Other species often hooked while marlin fishing is dorado, albacore and bigeye tuna.
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Black marlin (Istiompax indica) grows to be as big or bigger than blue marlin, with males reaching lengths of 4.65 meters and weighing up to 750 kilograms (1500lb), females larger. They are part of a group of fish called billfish, which includes varieties of marlin, swordfish, and spearfish.
MORE INFO >Black Marlin
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The Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans) is probably the most wanted fish in the sport fishing world. The magnificent fighter usually feeds during day time on fish, octopuses and squids. Blue Marlin is mainly caught trolling with artificial lures or with dead bait (bonito, mackerel...).
MORE INFO >Blue Marlin
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Sailfish (Istiophorus) are one the most wanted fish in the sport fishing world. Often described as the fastest fish in the sea, sailfish can weigh up to 90 kg (200 pounds) and grow up to 3 m (9.7 ft) in length.
MORE INFO >Sailfish
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Spearfish (Tetrapturus) are a generic name for several species such as the shortbill spearfish and longbill spearfish. These billfish are found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world: Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean.
MORE INFO >Spearfish
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Striped marlin (Kajikia audax) can be told apart from blue marlin due to their “stripes” of blue that run vertically down their bodies. Striped marlin is lighter than blue marlin, but their body shape and even colouring remains the same aside from the stripes. These marlin can weigh up to 180kg (400lb) and have a maximum length of 4 m (12 ft).
MORE INFO >Striped Marlin
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The White Marlin (Kajikia albida) is a very nice predator which can be caught off shore in warmer waters. This powerful fighter usually feeds during day time on fish, octopuses and squids. They can be caught trolling with artificial lures or with dead bait (bonito, mackerel...).
MORE INFO >White Marlin
Best Places to try Marlin fishing
The best areas to target marlin are where there is a large change in underwater conditions that create an upswelling current in the water.
Areas such as the north of Australia, New Zealand, Canary Islands, Portugal, Madeira, Azores, Hawaii, Mauritius, Cape Verde, Caribean, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica or Guatemala produce good marlin fishing conditions.