Blue Marlin

Oceans & Range: All tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide — the most widely distributed of all billfish. In the Pacific, found from Southern California to Chile, throughout Hawaii and the Central Pacific. In the Atlantic, abundant from New England south through the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean to Brazil, and across to West Africa.

Preferred Water Temperature: 70°F–86°F. Concentrate along current edges, temperature breaks, color changes, and near offshore structure. Hawaiian Blue Marlin prefer the blue water off the Kona coast where deep-water bait is accessible.

Size & Weight: Females grow significantly larger than males. Pacific fish average 200–400 lbs; Atlantic fish run 150–300 lbs commonly. World record (Atlantic): 1,402 lbs 2 oz from Brazil. Pacific record: 1,376 lbs from Hawaii. "Granders" — fish over 1,000 lbs — are the ultimate trophy.

Best Lures: Large skirted trolling lures (9–14 inch) in blue-white, pink-white, and black-red are most productive. High-speed trolling at 8–12 knots with Zuker, Olu Kai, and Black Bart lures covers water effectively. Large stick baits and poppers produce surface strikes when fish are active. Rigged ballyhoo under a skirted lure is the Atlantic standard.

Best Baits: Large live skipjack tuna (5–15 lbs) are the world's top Blue Marlin bait. Live or dead large mackerel work consistently. Whole rigged bonito are excellent. Kite fishing with large live baits produces trophy fish in the Atlantic. Rigged whole dolphinfish (mahi) are effective in the Pacific.

All tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide — the most widely distributed of all billfish. In the Pacific, found from Southern California to Chile, throughout Hawaii and the Central Pacific. In the Atlantic, abundant from New England south through the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean to Brazil, and across to West Africa.

70°F–86°F. Concentrate along current edges, temperature breaks, color changes, and near offshore structure. Hawaiian Blue Marlin prefer the blue water off the Kona coast where deep-water bait is accessible.

Best Lures: Large skirted trolling lures (9–14 inch) in blue-white, pink-white, and black-red are most productive. High-speed trolling at 8–12 knots with Zuker, Olu Kai, and Black Bart lures covers water effectively. Large stick baits and poppers produce surface strikes when fish are active. Rigged ballyhoo under a skirted lure is the Atlantic standard. Best Baits: Large live skipjack tuna (5–15 lbs) are the world's top Blue Marlin bait. Live or dead large mackerel work consistently. Whole rigged bonito are excellent. Kite fishing with large live baits produces trophy fish in the Atlantic. Rigged whole dolphinfish (mahi) are effective in the Pacific.

2 fishing locations where you can catch Blue Marlin

Females grow significantly larger than males. Pacific fish average 200–400 lbs; Atlantic fish run 150–300 lbs commonly. World record (Atlantic): 1,402 lbs 2 oz from Brazil. Pacific record: 1,376 lbs from Hawaii. "Granders" — fish over 1,000 lbs — are the ultimate trophy.

2 official records on file for Blue Marlin