Marlin
The Pinnacle Bluewater Gamefish — Blue, Black, and Striped
- Average size
- Blue: 200–500 lb · Black: 300–1000+ lb · Striped: 100–250 lb
- Peak season
- Varies — Cabo Oct–Nov · Cairns Sep–Dec · Costa Rica Jun–Oct
- World record
- Black: 1,560 lb — Cabo Blanco, Peru (1953)
- Experiences
- 7
Marlin are the apex bluewater gamefish. Blue marlin (Atlantic & Pacific), black marlin (Indo-Pacific), and striped marlin (Pacific) dominate the trophy circuit — each with its own geography, season, and tactical preference. The Great Barrier Reef off Cairns is the grander (1000+ lb) black marlin capital of the world. Hawaii's Kona coast holds blues year-round. Baja California is striped marlin country, with occasional blacks and blues as bycatch.
A marlin trip is an expensive, boat-intensive undertaking — expect a 40'+ sport-fisher, full crew, heavy tackle, and bluewater commitment. But hooking a 500-pound fish, much less a grander, is a moment anglers plan decades around. Live-bait tactics (slow-trolling skipjack or frigate mackerel) produce the biggest fish; lure-trolling (Moldcraft, Black Bart) covers water and produces numbers.
Best Methods
- ● Slow-trolling live-bait skipjack or bonito
- ● Lure-trolling J-rigged soft heads
- ● Dead-bait circle-hook ballyhoo
- ● Teaser-and-switch fly fishing (striped marlin)
Gear Notes
50-130 lb IGFA tackle. 30-wide to 80-wide reels. Boat-supplied unless you specifically request to bring your own setups.
Where to Catch Marlin
7 vetted experiences across 6 countries.
Cape Santa Maria, Long Island, The Bahamas
Cape Santa Maria is located on Long Island in the Bahamas. It is a tropical oasis nestled on Long Island in the South Bahamas.
Costa De Cocos Lodge, Xcalak, Mexico
Costa De Cocos is set among Coconut Palms; there is a rich Mayan cultural charm. It is located at the 'end-of-the-road'.
Quepos, Costa Rica
Quepos, Costa Rica offers amazing sport-fishing for marlin and sailfish from December-April, with inshore reefs home to huge populations of snapper, grouper, roosterfish, and more. Deluxe hotel accommodations with exquisite Pacific Ocean views.
Sailfish Bay Lodge, Guatemala
Sailfish Bay Lodge is the only beachfront fishing lodge in Guatemala, located in the middle of the world's best Sailfishing. Year-round abundant sailfish population with hook-up opportunities exceeding anywhere in the world.
Silver King Lodge, Costa Rica
Silver King Lodge is located in Barra del Colorado within Costa Rica's second largest rainforest preserve, specializing in tarpon (6+ feet, up to 350 lbs). All-inclusive with gourmet dining and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Victoria House, Belize
Victoria House on Ambergris Caye, Belize is a gorgeous, small and exclusive resort offering excellent saltwater fly fishing in a top Caribbean location.
Wildwood Lodge, Lake Rotorua- New Zealand
Wildwood Lodge is a Qualmark 5-star luxury lodge set in five acres with private lake frontage on Lake Rotoehu, offering fly-fishing for wild Rainbow and Brown trout.
Explore Other Species
Browse our full species catalog.