The Fishing Report
Fishing seasons & conditions by region
White Marlin Kajikia albida
White Marlin Size, Range & Diet
| Typical size | 65–80 in, 40–70 lb |
|---|---|
| Maximum | up to about 9.5 ft and 180 lb |
| Lifespan | at least 15 years |
| Range | Warm blue water of the Atlantic — for US boats that means the Gulf Stream edge and the Mid-Atlantic canyons in summer, south through Florida, the Bahamas and the Gulf of Mexico. |
| Habitat | Open blue water warmer than about 72°F, usually in the top 300 ft along temperature breaks, canyon edges and weed lines. |
| Diet | Squid and small pelagic fish — flyingfish, mackerel, small tuna and dolphin — often stunned with a slash of the bill first. |
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 White Marlin
- rounded (paddle-like) tips on the first dorsal, pectoral, and anal fins
- lighter green-blue back, often with dark spots on the dorsal fin
- first dorsal nearly as tall as the body is deep
- more slender, lighter body than a blue marlin
- spots and lighter coloration overall
Tell it apart: The unmistakable ROUNDED (paddle-like) tips of the first dorsal, pectoral, and anal fins, plus a dorsal nearly as tall as the body is deep, separate white marlin from the sharply pointed-finned, lower-dorsaled blue marlin.
Easily confused with: Blue Marlin
Side by side: White Marlin vs Marlin
How to Catch White Marlin
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- Best July-September in the canyons - troll small ballyhoo and dink lures behind dredges and teasers, dropping back on the bite.GearBallyhoo dredge teasersCircle-hook ballyhoo rigsLight trolling combo
When & Where White Marlin Are in Season
Peak Good Fair Slow
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-Atlantic Offshore |
White Marlin Regulations
VirginiaVirginia 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 CouncilMAFMCAtlantic States Marine Fisheries CommissionASMFC
Always check local regulations — seasons, size, and bag limits vary by state and species, and change year to year. When in doubt, release.