The Fishing Report
Fishing seasons & conditions by region
Marlin Makaira nigricans
Marlin Size, Range & Diet
| Typical size | 8–11 ft, 150–400 lb |
|---|---|
| Maximum | up to about 14 ft and 2,000 lb |
| Lifespan | up to about 20 years |
| Range | Blue offshore Atlantic — off the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida along the Gulf Stream, and through the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. |
| Habitat | Deep blue water above the thermocline, working Gulf Stream edges, temperature breaks, rips and offshore ledges. |
| Diet | Tuna, mackerel, dolphin and squid, often stunned with the bill before being eaten. |
Sizes are typical rod-and-reel and documented maximum figures, not size limits — see the regulations links below for the rules where you fish.
How to Identify a Marlin
- Stout, round-sectioned bill (spear)
- Pointed, stiff first dorsal fin lower than body depth (blue marlin)
- Cobalt/blue-black back, silver-white belly
- Often pale blue vertical bars on the flanks
- Two keels on each side of the tail base
- High shoulder, heavy body
Tell it apart: A pointed first dorsal fin shorter than the body is deep marks a marlin, versus the sailfish's towering full-length sail.
Easily confused with: Sailfish
Side by side: Marlin vs Sailfish, Marlin vs Swordfish, Marlin vs Wahoo, Marlin vs White Marlin
How to Catch Marlin
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- A summer fishery — pull big skirted lures and rigged ballyhoo at 7–9 kt along blue-water temperature breaks.GearMarlin trolling luresHeavy trolling comboHeavy mono leader
- Peaks late spring through summer; troll large skirted lures and rigged horse ballyhoo along the reef edge and bluewater rips.GearLarge skirted marlin lures10/0 circle hooksHeavy stand-up combo
- Best July-September at the canyons - troll a spread of large skirted lures and horse-ballyhoo at 7-9 kt along blue-water edges.GearBig-game trolling luresHeavy mono leaderStand-up trolling combo
- August through October is the run these islands are known for, and the drop-off is a short ride out; pull big skirted lures and rigged ballyhoo along the 100-fathom edge, starting at first light before the trades build.GearMarlin trolling luresHeavy trolling comboHeavy mono leader
- Prime May-September; troll a spread of large skirted lures off the deep ledges and current lines, running a mix of short and long riggers at 7-9 knots.GearLarge marlin luresHeavy mono leaderStand-up trolling combo
When & Where Marlin Are in Season
Peak Good Fair Slow
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast Atlantic Offshore | ||||||||||||
| South Florida & the Keys Offshore | ||||||||||||
| Mid-Atlantic Offshore | ||||||||||||
| Puerto Rico & the U.S. Virgin Islands Offshore | ||||||||||||
| Hawaiian Islands Offshore |
Marlin Regulations
GeorgiaGeorgia Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Resources DivisionSouth CarolinaSouth Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Marine Resources DivisionNorth CarolinaNorth Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ), Division of Marine FisheriesSouth Atlantic Fishery Management CouncilSAFMCAtlantic States Marine Fisheries CommissionASMFCFloridaFlorida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Gulf Council)GMFMCVirginiaVirginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC)MarylandMaryland Department of Natural Resources, Fishing and Boating ServicesDelawareDelaware DNREC, Division of Fish & WildlifeNew JerseyNew Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish & Wildlife (NJDEP Fish & Wildlife)New YorkNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Division of Marine ResourcesMid-Atlantic Fishery Management CouncilMAFMCPuerto RicoPuerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA/DNER), Office of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Licences and PermitsU.S. Virgin IslandsVirgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR), Division of Fish and WildlifeCaribbean Fishery Management CouncilCFMCNOAA Fisheries Southeast Region — current U.S. Caribbean regulationsNOAA FisheriesHawaiiHawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR)NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Regional Office (in coordination with the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council)WPFMC
Always check local regulations — seasons, size, and bag limits vary by state and species, and change year to year. When in doubt, release.