The Bahamas · Southern Bahamas
BLUE MARLIN FISHING
IN GREAT EXUMA
Great Exuma is an excellent destination for blue marlin fishing, with peak season in May, June, July and good catches in March, April, August. Book a charter and target blue marlin with local experts.
About Blue Marlin Fishing in Great Exuma
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 — Great Exuma
Month-by-month availability for blue marlin in Great Exuma, BS.
How to Catch Blue Marlin in Great Exuma
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.
Other Species in Great Exuma
More fish you can target while visiting Great Exuma.
Blue Marlin Fishing in Great Exuma — FAQ
The peak months for Blue Marlin fishing in Great Exuma are May, June, July. During these months, Blue Marlin are most active and abundant in the Great Exuma area.
Blue Marlin fishing charters in Great Exuma 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 Great Exuma, your captain provides all required The Bahamas fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Blue Marlin regulations in The Bahamas 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 Great Exuma, you may also catch Bonefish, Permit, King Mackerel, Tarpon, Wahoo. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
Ready to Catch Blue Marlin in Great Exuma?
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