Antigua & Barbuda · Antigua Coast
BLUE MARLIN FISHING
IN ST. JOHN'S
St. John's is an outstanding destination for blue marlin fishing, with peak season in June, July, August and good catches in January, February, March. Book a charter and target blue marlin with local experts.
About Blue Marlin Fishing in St. John's
The ultimate big game fish. Spectacular fighters that can exceed 1,000 pounds.
Blue Marlin are the ultimate big game fish — the apex predator of the open ocean. These magnificent billfish can exceed 1,000 lbs and are found in warm, blue water worldwide. Their cobalt-blue back, silver-white belly, and prominent bill (upper jaw extension used for slashing through bait schools) make them unmistakable. When hooked, blue marlin are spectacularly acrobatic — greyhounding across the surface and launching themselves fully airborne, sometimes multiple times. Catching a blue marlin on rod and reel is considered one of fishing's ultimate achievements.
Scientific name: Makaira nigricans
Blue Marlin Seasonal Calendar — St. John's
Month-by-month availability for blue marlin in St. John's, AG.
How to Catch Blue Marlin in St. John's
Techniques & Bait
Trolling large skirted lures (Moldcraft, Black Bart, Marlin Magic) in a spread behind the boat at 8-10 knots is the standard technique. Live bait trolling with large skipjack tuna, bonito, or blue runners under a bridge-mounted bait and switch setup targets the largest fish. Dredges (underwater teasers with hookless bait) are used to attract marlin to the spread. Pitch baiting — pulling a teaser close to the boat to draw in a marlin, then pitching a live bait — is the most exciting technique for experienced crews.
Recommended Tackle
80-130 lb class conventional trolling gear, roller guides, 80-130 lb monofilament, heavy cable leaders, size 10/0-12/0 hooks. Stand-up gear for experienced anglers. Fighting chair for fish over 500 lbs.
Best Deep Sea Fishing Fishing Spots in St. John's
Top spots where local captains target blue marlin and other deep sea fishing species.
Antigua Bank Edge
The Antigua Bank's outer edge drops into deep Caribbean and Atlantic water, concentrating blue marlin, sailfish, wahoo, and yellowfin tuna along the shelf break. The bank extends for miles around Antigua and provides extensive offshore trolling grounds for charter boats.
North Atlantic Drop-Off
The shelf edge north of Antigua drops into deep Atlantic water where blue marlin, white marlin, and large wahoo patrol current seams and temperature breaks. The North Drop is the primary bluewater trolling ground for Antigua's sport-fishing fleet.
Caribbean FADs
Fish Aggregating Devices deployed in deep water around Antigua attract mahi-mahi, wahoo, and blackfin tuna to floating structure. The FADs are managed by Antigua's fisheries department and provide reliable offshore action for charter and private boats.
Barbuda Channel
The deep channel between Antigua and Barbuda funnels Atlantic currents through a productive zone where wahoo, yellowfin tuna, and blue marlin concentrate along current edges and temperature breaks. The channel is a key offshore fishing ground for Antigua-based boats.
Other Species in St. John's
More fish you can target while visiting St. John's.
Blue Marlin Fishing in St. John's — FAQ
The peak months for Blue Marlin fishing in St. John's are June, July, August, September, October. During these months, Blue Marlin are most active and abundant in the St. John's area.
Blue Marlin fishing charters in St. John's are typically deep sea fishing trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Trolling large skirted lures (Moldcraft, Black Bart, Marlin Magic) in a spread behind the boat at 8-10 knots is the standard technique. Live bait trolling with large skipjack tuna, bonito, or blue runners under a bridge-mounted bait and switch setup targets the largest fish. Dredges (underwater teasers with hookless bait) are used to attract marlin to the spread. Pitch baiting — pulling a teaser close to the boat to draw in a marlin, then pitching a live bait — is the most exciting technique for experienced crews.
No — when you book a charter in St. John's, your captain provides all required Antigua & Barbuda fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Blue Marlin regulations in Antigua & Barbuda include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Blue Marlin in St. John's, you may also catch Bonefish, Permit, Yellowfin Tuna, King Mackerel, Mahi Mahi. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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