Makaira nigricans
Massive, elongated body with cobalt-blue back and silver-white sides and belly. About 15 vertical blue-lavender bars (visible when alive, fading quickly after death). Prominent upper jaw bill. Tall, pointed first dorsal fin. Deeply forked, powerful tail. Huge pectoral fins.
Females grow much larger than males. Males rarely exceed 300 lbs, while females can surpass 1,000 lbs. Most tournament "granders" are female.
Average catch is 200-400 lbs. Quality fish run 400-700 lbs. Trophy "granders" exceed 1,000 lbs. The IGFA all-tackle world record is 1,402 lbs 2 oz, caught in Vitoria, Brazil in 1992. North Atlantic fish regularly exceed 800 lbs.
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.
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.
Minimum size is 99 inches lower jaw fork length (LJFL) or 400 lbs to keep. Bag limit of 1 per vessel per day. Most blue marlin are released — the release fishery is strongly encouraged by the sportfishing community.
Regulations change frequently. Always verify current rules with your charter captain or state wildlife agency before fishing.
Florida · Northeast
The Bahamas · Central Bahamas
North Carolina · Crystal Coast
North Carolina · Crystal Coast
The Bahamas · Northern Bahamas
Barbados · Barbados Coast
Puerto Rico · West Coast
New Jersey · Jersey Shore
North Carolina · Cape Fear
Grenada · Grenada Coast
The Bahamas · Southern Bahamas
South Carolina · Lowcountry
Florida · Panhandle
The Bahamas · Central Bahamas
Antigua & Barbuda · Antigua Coast
Puerto Rico · San Juan Metro
Florida · Northeast
Florida · Southeast
Florida · Panhandle
The Bahamas · Northern Bahamas
Grenada · Grenada Coast
Saint-Martin · Saint-Martin Coast
Louisiana · Southeast Louisiana
The Bahamas · Southern Bahamas
Hawaii · Oahu
North Carolina · Outer Banks
South Carolina · Lowcountry
Hawaii · Oahu
Florida · Keys
Florida · Northeast
Antigua & Barbuda · Antigua Coast
Hawaii · Big Island
Florida · Keys
Florida · Keys
Hawaii · Maui
North Carolina · Outer Banks
Florida · Keys
Saint-Martin · Saint-Martin Coast
The Bahamas · Northern Bahamas
Florida · Southeast
New York · Long Island
North Carolina · Crystal Coast
South Carolina · Grand Strand
South Carolina · Grand Strand
North Carolina · Outer Banks
The Bahamas · Central Bahamas
Virginia · Hampton Roads
South Carolina · Grand Strand
Maryland · Ocean Coast
Barbados · Barbados Coast
North Carolina · Outer Banks
Saint-Martin · Saint-Martin Coast
Florida · Panhandle
South Carolina · Grand Strand
Florida · Panhandle
Sint Maarten · Sint Maarten Coast
New Jersey · Jersey Shore
Hawaii · Kauai
Hawaii · Kauai
Dominica · Dominica Coast
Puerto Rico · West Coast
Dominica · Dominica Coast
Puerto Rico · San Juan Metro
Georgia · Georgia Coast
Dominica · Dominica Coast
Sint Maarten · Sint Maarten Coast
North Carolina · Cape Fear
Barbados · Barbados Coast
Florida · Northeast
Grenada · Grenada Coast
Antigua & Barbuda · Antigua Coast
Florida · Southeast
North Carolina · Crystal Coast
Louisiana · Southeast Louisiana
Virginia · Hampton Roads
Florida · Southeast
North Carolina · Cape Fear
North Carolina · Cape Fear
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