Sint Maarten · Sint Maarten Coast
BLUE MARLIN FISHING
IN SIMPSON BAY
Simpson Bay 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 Simpson Bay
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 — Simpson Bay
Month-by-month availability for blue marlin in Simpson Bay, SX.
How to Catch Blue Marlin in Simpson Bay
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 Simpson Bay
Top spots where local captains target blue marlin and other deep sea fishing species.
West Bank Drop-Off
The shelf edge west of Simpson Bay drops into deep Caribbean water where blue marlin, sailfish, and wahoo patrol the depth transition. The drop-off is the closest offshore fishing ground to Simpson Bay's marinas, making it a productive destination for half-day bluewater charters.
Anguilla Channel
The deep channel between Sint Maarten and Anguilla funnels Caribbean currents through a narrow passage, concentrating wahoo, yellowfin tuna, and mahi-mahi along current edges. The channel produces best when wind and current create defined rips and color changes.
Saba Bank Northwest
The northwestern edge of Saba Bank is accessible from Simpson Bay and offers deep-drop fishing for queen snapper and silk snapper along the bank's vertical walls, with wahoo and tuna trolling along the bank edges. The remote location means less pressure and larger fish.
Offshore FADs
Fish Aggregating Devices deployed in deep water west and south of Sint Maarten attract mahi-mahi, wahoo, and blackfin tuna to floating structure in the open Caribbean. The FADs are reliable producers for Simpson Bay charter boats during the spring and summer pelagic season.
Other Species in Simpson Bay
More fish you can target while visiting Simpson Bay.
Blue Marlin Fishing in Simpson Bay — FAQ
The peak months for Blue Marlin fishing in Simpson Bay are June, July, August, September, October. During these months, Blue Marlin are most active and abundant in the Simpson Bay area.
Blue Marlin fishing charters in Simpson Bay 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 Simpson Bay, your captain provides all required Sint Maarten fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Blue Marlin regulations in Sint Maarten 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 Simpson Bay, you may also catch Mahi Mahi, Caribbean Red Snapper, Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, Amberjack. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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