The blue marlin is one of the most stunningly lovely creatures of the sea. Sporting long, pointed beaks and sleek bodies, these supermodels of the seas seem as though they were placed on earth for the sole purpose of being photographed alongside their proud and exhausted captors before being cast back into the sea to fight another day. Weighing nearly a ton and growing as long as 20 feet, they are worthy opponents for the intrepid blue marlin fishing enthusiast.

Catch And Release

The daytime excursions to capture and photograph them may last only a few hours or up to a day but it takes weeks of fitness training to prepare for the encounter. The sport was popularized by Ernest Hemingway in his novel, ‘The Old Man and the Sea’, written in 1952 and telling the story of the relationship between an old Cuban fisherman and his sleek, blue quarry. The practice of ‘capture and release’ was adopted to protect dwindling populations.

Warm Waters

Like their land-based counterparts, these creatures love warm seas. They populate tropical waters in the Indo-Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans. They undertake seasonal migrations in the spring and summer months to the rich feeding conditions found in temperate zones of the southern and northern hemispheres.

Two Species

Two genetically different species have been identified by marine biologists. These are the ‘A-phenotype’, which dwell in the Atlantic, and the ‘P-phenotype’, that cruises Pacific waters. While specimens of the ‘P-phenotype’ have been located in Atlantic waters, there have been no reports of reciprocal occupation.

Billfish

The general term ‘billfish’ describes a number of species of long, predatory fish characterized by long, sword-like bills. It includes sailfish and swordfish. They are generally exploited for both food and game. Swordfish, in particular, are prized for their firm, tasty flesh. While the long beaks have been observed in anger to spear objects such as small boats, their main function is to stun prey.

Different Lures For Blue Marlin

Techniques for catching blue marlin include the use of artificial lures and natural or live bait. The use of artificial lures is most popular and originated in Hawaii. Earliest artificial lures were constructed from chrome bars and rubber strips from inner tubes. Four or more of these may be trolled behind boats at velocities between 7 and 15 knots.

Best Live Bait For Blue Marlin

Skipjack tuna is the best live bait. This technique is somewhat limited in that the speed is determined by the degree to which the bait remains alive. Kona,Hawaii, seems to be a popular spot for using this technique. Skipjack tuna, squid and mackerel are among the natural diet of these popular game fish. An assessment of their stomach contents has revealed tuna up to 100 pounds in size. Natural baits may be dead or alive. Rigged natural baits, like Spanish mackerel and horse ballyhoo are popular for Atlantic types. Ballyhoo belongs to the halfbeak family of fish.

Unfortunately, blue marlin fishing is expensive and physically demanding. It is also hugely rewarding. Pursuing them with marlin fishing charters attracts deep sea anglers to some lovely and pleasant waters on earth and provides memories that last a lifetime.