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Damn Good Blue Marlin Fishing Charters

Check real-time availability on blue marlin fishing trips. Online booking | 4.68 / 5 stars | Guides from $935

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Recently Booked Blue Marlin Fishing Charters

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Captain Experiences staff chose this trip as one for the bucket list.
Fishing in Gustavia

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Gustavia

"Old Man And The Sea" Handlining

100% (1)
29 ft 1 - 4 People From $845
Damn Good
A Certified Damn Good Guide is someone who goes above and beyond to show you an incredible experience on your trip. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Key West

Deep Sea, Inshore, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Key West

Offshore Fishing,Reef & Wreck And Sunset

100% (10)
35 ft 1 - 6 People From $900
Fishing in Miami Beach

Deep Sea, Inshore, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Miami Beach

Bachelor Party Fishing Fun!

100% (2)
57 ft 1 - 24 People From $850
Fishing in Mount Pleasant

Deep Sea Fishing Charter in Mount Pleasant

Gulfstream 10 To 12 Hr Offshore

100% (6)
32 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,875
Damn Good
A Certified Damn Good Guide is someone who goes above and beyond to show you an incredible experience on your trip. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Pompano Beach

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Pompano Beach

Sunrise Saltwater Slam

100% (4)
47 ft 1 - 6 People From $750
Veteran Operated
This trip is managed / operated by a veteran of the US armed forces.
Fishing in Key West

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Key West

Ultimate Action Fishing In Key West

100% (3)
33 ft 1 - 4 People From $1,000

Top Cities for Blue Marlin Fishing

“Our Damn Good Guides go above and beyond to provide you an incredible trip, and we’ve handpicked every single one. We’re passionate about the outdoors and about empowering people to find the perfect-match guide for the trip of a lifetime, every time.”

Jonathan and Attison   |   Co-founders   |   Austin, Texas

More Blue Marlin Fishing Charters

Fishing in Hollywood
Fishing in Hollywood
Fishing in Hollywood
trip description for Famous Sportfishing - Large Groups in Hollywood

Calling all thrill-seekers and fishing enthusiasts! Are you ready to embark on an epic offshore fishing adventure out of Hollywood, Florida? Look no further than Captain David and his 48' Stapleton sportfisher! On this trip, you'll be reeling in some of America's most exciting and sought-after offshore species, including Sailfish, Barracuda, Mahi Mahi, Groupers, and Snappers. Captain David is an extremely experienced captain who knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll take you to all the best spots to make the catch of a lifetime. But it's not just about the fishing! On board his luxurious 48' Stapleton sportfisher, you'll be able to relax and enjoy the comfortable experience. With a spacious deck and all the latest fishing technology, you'll be equipped to catch even the most elusive fish. Captain David has kitted her out with a fighting chair, Tuna Tubes for your live bait, outriggers, live wells, and more-all to enhance your experience and give you the best shot at massive success! Captain David is passionate about fishing and loves nothing more than sharing his knowledge and expertise with his clients. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a beginner, he'll provide expert guidance and support to ensure that you have an unforgettable experience on the water. Gather your friends or family and book your offshore fishing trip with Captain David today! Read More

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Hollywood

Famous Sportfishing - Large Groups

100% (3)
48 ft 1 - 17 People From $1,800
Damn Good
A Certified Damn Good Guide is someone who goes above and beyond to show you an incredible experience on your trip. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Key West
Fishing in Key West
Fishing in Key West
trip description for Key West Sportfish Trip in Key West

Captain Mark will guide you on an action-packed adventure through the waters of Key West, Florida! You’ll be fishing aboard Captain Mark’s 37-foot Contender side console powered by two 250 HP Yamaha engines. She comes with outriggers, downriggers, and a live bait well. She also boasts air conditioning, a multimedia system, TV, refrigerator, and an ice-box. On this trip, you’ll be targeting a wide variety of species, including Black Grouper, Blackfin Tuna, Blue Marlin, Dorado (Mahi Mahi), Yellowtail, Wahoo, and many more. The longer you go, the farther out you can travel, and the farther out you travel, the bigger the fish get! Don’t forget to bring a cooler to take home your day’s catch, food and drinks for the day (no glass), sunscreen, and a hat. Captain Mark will provide all rods, reels, tackle, and fishing licenses. Let go of your daily responsibilities and have some fun fishing with Captain Mark! Read More

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Key West

Key West Sportfish Trip

93% (14)
37 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,150
Fishing in Key West
Fishing in Key West
Fishing in Key West
trip description for Legendary Fishing in Key West in Key West

Head out for a fun-filled action-packed charter with Captain Chuck aboard his Ocean Yacht for an epic Key West fishing experience! For most trips, you will be trolling the nearshore and close offshore waters for Bonito, Mackerel, Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, and whatever else emerges from the beautiful waters off the southernmost point of the United States! The longer the trip, the more species you can expect to catch (and the bigger the fish!) Captain Chuck fishes aboard a well-maintained 55 foot Ocean Sport Fisher. She is fully equipped to fish, outfitted with a Furuno electronics package and all the tackle you will need for your Key West Fishing Adventure. With dual 725 horse power Detroit Diesel engines powering this vessel, you can get from the dock to prime fishing spots quick to allow you to begin fishing faster! You're welcome to be as involved as you'd like as well, for those who just want to cool off and watch the action from inside the air-conditioned cabin, we have a luxurious space for them to relax until the next big fish gets on the hook. Read More

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Key West

Legendary Fishing In Key West

100% (7)
55 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,100
Fishing in Port Orange
Fishing in Port Orange
Fishing in Port Orange
trip description for Gulf Stream Trophy Hunt in Port Orange

Hop on board with Captain Scott and prepare for a beautiful day of deepsea fishing in the Florida Atlantic's Gulf Stream waters! The blue waters out there in the Gulf Stream are a great area to target big game fish that run the Gulfstream waters as if it were a superhighway. On this extended day 10-hour adventure, Captain Scott will break out the heavy tackle to troll for Mahi Mahi, White Marlin, Sailfish, Yellowfin Tuna, and Wahoo. You'll be fishing aboard Captain Scott's 31ft Contender center console with a capacity for 6 anglers. This boat is designed by fishermen for fishermen. It is the ultimate fishing platform and has plenty of space to fight that monster fish, set up your dive gear, or kick back and relax in a bean bag chair. It has 2 large live wells to hold live bait, 4 fish boxes including two separate 400qt fish boxes. With twin 300's strapped to the stern, Captain Scott can get you out to the fishing grounds in a hurry so you'll spend more time fishing and less time riding. The boat is also equipped with a bathroom which can be a lifesaver when your 15+ miles offshore. Captain Scott will provide all rods, reels, tackle, and live bait. All you need to bring is sunglasses, sunscreen, and any snacks or drinks you might need. Come visit Port Orange and have a super fun time on the water with Captain Scott! Read More

Deep Sea Fishing Charter in Port Orange

Gulf Stream Trophy Hunt

100% (8)
31 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,200
Fishing in Freeport
Fishing in Freeport
Fishing in Freeport
trip description for Freeport Run - 38' Luhrs in Freeport

Climb aboard the one-of-a-kind sport fisher for a luxury seafaring experience with Captain JT and Danny. At 38 feet long and almost 14 feet wide, the vessel offers lots of shaded space, two AC systems, satellite TV and music, and a legendary hull design. Needless to say, you will be much more comfortable than on most other boats. It’s equipped with state-of-the-art electronics, safety equipment including a satellite phone, epirb, and 8 man life raft. Two captains run trips often at the same time, Danny is the fishing expert, and JT is a diving expert. The boat is powered by twin 420 horsepower Yanmar diesel engines that are meticulously maintained by the Captains. For fishing, the equipment includes premium bottom fishing rods and reels, Penn international bent butt trolling rod and reels, and two heavy-duty electric reels for deep dropping in 350 + feet. The navigation system has more than 3000 way points saved over the years known to hold fish. The tackle on board will accommodate all types of possible offshore fishing. Half-Day Charters targets kingfish and blacktip sharks. 10 Hour Charters targets reef fish like snappers and grouper. Surface fishing for kingfish and ling. 12 Hour Charter adds fishing deeper wrecks and rigs for amberjack, grouper, shark, golden tile, and barrel fish as well as trolling for mahi, wahoo, and blackfin tuna. 14 Hour trips allow for more time spent over deep water wrecks and rigs and usually correlate with more and larger fish! Read More

Deep Sea Fishing Charter in Freeport

Freeport Run - 38' Luhrs

NEW
38 ft 1 - 6 People From $2,220
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
trip description for Premier Destin - 60’ Blackwell in Destin

Captain Eric's vessel is not your typical fishing boat. It's sleek, it's sexy, and it's huge! Not to mention it was recently renovated in 2020 to be totally decked out with all the latest technology, pristine lounging spaces, and top-of-the-line fishing gear you could possibly need for a top-notch charter fishing experience. At 60 feet long and in impeccable condition, this vessel is one of Destin's premiere deep sea fishing charter yachts. Captain Eric strives to offer flexible charter lengths, successful catches, and a plethora of fishing knowledge to ensure you have the best possible charter experience aboard one of the nicest boats on the Florida Panhandle. From an afternoon reef fishing for Snapper and Grouper to multi-day trips off-shore chasing Marlin and other huge Billfish, and everything in between, the sky is the limit for what you can do with this Charter. All you need to bring is your sun protection, camera, and your food and drink of choice. Get ready for the fishing excursion of a lifetime! Read More

Deep Sea Fishing Charter in Destin

Premier Destin - 60’ Blackwell

NEW
60 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,600
See All Blue Marlin Trips

Everything to Know About Booking a blue marlin fishing charter

What are the best blue marlin fishing charters?

Why should I book a blue marlin fishing charter with Captain Experiences?

Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 202 blue marlin trips, and the most popular trips are "Old Man and the Sea" Handlining guided by Patrick, Offshore Fishing,Reef & Wreck and Sunset guided by Antonio, and Bachelor Party Fishing Fun! guided by Manny.

Our guides are rated a 4.68 out of 5 based on 3285 verified reviews on Captain Experiences.

All guides on Captain Experiences are licensed, insured, and vetted by our team. You can access their reviews, click through trip photos, read bios to get to know them, and preview trip details like species, techniques, group sizes, boat specs and more.

Looking for kid friendly blue marlin guides / fishing lessons? Check out our beginner and family friendly blue marlin guides.

What types of blue marlin fishing charters are common?

Deep Sea fishing is the most popular type of fishing for blue marlin as well as nearshore fishing, inshore fishing, and flats fishing.

The most common fishing techniques are trolling, heavy tackle fishing, and bottom fishing but light tackle fishing and jigging are popular as well.

How much do blue marlin fishing charters cost?

Prices for blue marlin can range anywhere from about $935 to $4,950, but the average price for a half day trip for blue marlin is $1,364. The average price for a full day trip for blue marlin is $3,287.

Is booking a fishing guide worth the money?

Hiring a guide provides a number of benefits and many choose to book a fishing guide for a combination of experience, local knowledge, convenience, and cost-effectiveness.

Working with experienced fishing guides who know the best local spots and techniques can dramatically increase your odds of a great day. Having someone who is on the water every day and knows the area like the back of their hand is going to give you the best chances of success.

Booking a guide is also more cost effective, especially if you only get out a handful of times per year. When you consider all of the costs you would incur on your own such as the price of a boat, maintenance, insurance, gas, high-quality gear and tackle, repairs, and more, you’ll find that DIY is sometimes not worth the expense.

Even if you’ve got a great setup already in your home waters, booking a guide also provides a great opportunity to experience new techniques, new locations, or even a chance at a new target species to knock off the bucket list.

What month is best for blue marlin fishing?

The most popular season for blue marlin fishing is summer, and most anglers book their trips 22 days in advance.

Do I need a fishing license for blue marlin and what are the bag limits for blue marlin?

See here for more information on blue marlin fishing licenses, blue marlin bag limits, and fishing season regulations for blue marlin. When in doubt, your fishing guide will always know the right blue marlin rules and regulations.

What is a Blue Marlin?

The blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) is a deep sea game fish, recognized by it’s large bill that’s used to stun, injure, or kill it’s prey. Although they are the national fish of Commonwealth of the Bahamas, they are spread throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans.

Considered the king of all fish, they are powerful and acrobatic on the line, making them a high prize for anglers. They are highly migratory, one study even following a tagged marlin for 9,254 miles. They are the largest of the billfish, and have excellent eyesight, stamina, cold water temperature tolerance and hunting skills.

Like other billfish, they can quickly change color thanks to their pigment-containing iridophores and light-reflecting skin cells. However, they typically are blue on top with a silver belly, and around 15 rows of pale, cobalt stripes. Small, file-like teeth fill their jaws, and above that is a long, stout bill.

How big do Blue Marlin get?

For blue marlin, the females can actually grow up to four times the size of the males. Males will rarely grow larger than 350 pounds, whereas females can grow well over 1,000 pounds. These ladies that reach above and beyond that poundage are called “granders” and are highly targeted by anglers. Length wise, females on average are 11 feet long, with about 20% of that being their bill.

What's the biggest Blue Marlin ever caught?

In 1970, a group of anglers out of Oahu, Hawaii boarded Captain Conelius Choy’s charter boat, the Coreene C. They reeled in a 1,805 pound marlin, the largest ever caught on a rod and reel. They even found a yellow fin tuna weighing over 155 pounds had been the “Choy’s Monster’s” last meal.

Commercial fisherman in the Tsukiji market in Tokyo claim to have boated even larger blue marlin, weighing up to 2,438 pounds.

Where is the best place to catch Blue Marlin?

Blue Marlin are highly migrational and can be found in tropical oceanic waters around the world, above the thermocline, following seasonal water temperature changes. In the Gulf of Mexico, there are many great areas to target, however the Florida Keys remain one of the top rated.

Outside of the continental United States, there are many more great places to head towards to hook your trophy. One of the best spots in the world is Kona, Hawaii, known for hosting blue marlin well over 750 pounds. Another popular hotspot is San Juan, Puerto Rico, where the world’s longest running billfish tournament takes place. Finally, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico is where there are more marlin caught per hour than anywhere else in the world!

When should I catch Blue Marlin?

Due to the large range that they travel in their migration, the best time to catch a blue marlin depends on the area. Generally, they move to temperate waters of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres during warmer months, and back towards the Equator in the cooler months.

In areas like the western Atlantic, the loop current helps to push Marlin around the Gulf of Mexico and up north of Florida, and depending on the area along it, is best spring through fall. This is a great time to head to places like the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Hawaii. If you’d like to fish in the winter months, you can find blue marlin in areas near Brazil and Australia.

How do you catch Blue Marlin?

The most common way that blue marlin are caught is via trolling with artificial lures or bait. When it comes to artificials, they respond best to bright colors and fast movements. For natural bait, options like mullet, mahi, and Spanish mackerel work best. Flyfishermen also enjoy targeting blue marlin. To do so, they use fly rods that are made specifically for billfish, that have more lifting power than the average.

Keep in mind that no matter what, these fish are known for their incredible fight. Using a fighting chair, bucket harness, shoulder harness, or fighting belt will help, and don’t forget to keep those lines tight!

Are Blue Marlin good to eat? What are the best Blue Marlin recipes?

In many areas around the world, conservation efforts either prohibit or strongly discourage keeping blue marlin, therefore most anglers catch and release. The meat is also tough, and has a high mercury content, making it not that favorable for eating.

Recent Reviews of Captain Experiences

  • ★★★★★
    Had a great time out in the water!

    Salvador G. with Antonio E. of Key West, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    We had an absolutely amazing time deep sea fishing with Captain Anthony! He is a fun and knowledgeable fisherman with LOTS of experience and great stories (ask him about how he’d dive for lobsters to impress his dates). He does all the work but lets you learn and participate as much or as little as you want. We knew we had an expert when we heard the radio chatter of all the other guides complaining that nothing was biting, while we pulled in six (only four mahi in pic). The other two were a small tuna and a ~32” barracuda). We highly recommend Kilo Whiskey Charter & Captain Anthony!

    Dan W. with Anthony D. of Key West, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    This trip was so fun, we caught snapper, gafftop, and 2 stingrays, and one was a monster. Andrew knew where to go and his boat was very nice, he’s the best hype man too, always excited when a fish is on! Jeff was the bomb. He made sure we always had our lines ready and in the water and helped us pull up them Rays when our arms were wore out!

    Katelyn B. with Andrew N. of Corpus Christi, Texas

  • ★★★★★
    Absolutely the highlight of our trip. Mike and his crew were fantastic teachers, patient and focused on helping all of us catch terrific fish. They are great with kids of all ages - 5 years to 16 years. Everyone had a great time and we caught a lot of fish.

    Vicki L. with Mike W. of Stock Island, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Caught a lot of fish. Captain Jacob was a great guy and worked hard the whole time to make sure we stayed on top of the fish.

    Myron P. with Jacob M. of Pensacola, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Our guide and captain were great in Puerto Rico, which is why I’m giving it 5 stars. I do not want our confusing/stressful experience to reflect poorly on the people we actually worked with. Our issues were with the parent company “Captain Experiences.” They were not knowledgeable on fishing license needs; I only asked about fishing licenses to verify what I read on their website because it was a bit contradictory. I was provided the wrong answer by someone at Captain Experiences, and was only given the correct info after I screenshot their website and emailed it to them. Also, the directions to the pick up location were not clear. Any other fishing tour we have gone on, the captain makes contact prior to the trip to make sure everything is taken care of. We were given the name of the Puerto Rican company’s owner not the captain and guide. Needless to say, my husband and children were very stressed before we located Franco and Petine (who were great and knew nothing about our issues). Located them at 7:26, with trip starting at 7:30. My son caught a good sized white marlin and my daughter had a fish get off the hook. Again, Franco and Petine were great. The issue is communication and clarity prior to the trip.

    Victoria M. with Jose C. of San Juan, San Juan

  • ★★★★★
    He put us on the Best Fishing Day of our Life's... Hi and his Dad And His Son TONY #15. He was so Great and the day was Perfect 🥰. Now my whole family has caught a Mahi or Rainbow 🌈 Runner .

    Hugh H. with Antonio E. of Key West, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    We had an amazing trip! Ron and Chris were awesome! We didn’t have much knowledge of fishing going into this. They made it easy and taught us a lot. We caught a variety of fish. We DEFINITELY will be doing this again with Ron on our next trip down to Florida. Thank you for such a wonderful experience!

    Hailee T. with Ron C. of Pompano Beach, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Caught some dolphin for dinner! Had a great time.

    Kyle J. with Peter D. of Riviera Beach, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Great Time! Caught a sailfish! Captain and first mate worked hard and very enjoyable to be with! Would book again!

    Kyle J. with Peter D. of Riviera Beach, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Tony and his Son Tony #15 Kicked Ass we caught Mahi 🤪 12. And a. 🌈 RAINBOW RUNNER 🏃‍♂️..MY daughter ate it on our way back to pur Room.. They are Family professionals. I would recommend you to call Tony direct he Rocks.. Best Fishing experience ever and they Fileted my fish and bagged them up 5 big bags full of about 500 dollars 💸 worth of fish.. I highly recommend them the are the 💣 bomb!!!

    Hugh H. with Antonio E. of Key West, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    An amazing trip! 3 couples set out for a 6-hour experience on the Sea of Cortez - we were not disappointed...caught 2 marlins, one of which was the largest catch of our lives at 150 pounds. Jaime was great, he set us up quick and easy. Got our fishing licenses at the marina on the morning of our trip. Coming back again next year...

    John R. with Jaime G. of San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur

  • ★★★★★
    The family had an absolutely phenomenal time with Captain Mike and his crew. We caught plenty of fish. The crew was very helpful to the family. The boat was great. I will 100% recommend them to anyone looking for a great trip.

    Tommy L. with Mike W. of Stock Island, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    My son, friend and i went out on Cowboy II with Captain Mark and Best Mate Ever Anthony. The Captain has eagle eyes and Anthony moves like an octopus, neither would give up until we CRUSHED IT. 2 Black Tail Tuna and 9 Mahi later we were happy as fishing guys could be. I am happy to recommend them for your trip with the guys. Enjoy Paul Cella

    Paul C. with Mark B. of Key West, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Awesome experience. Captain chuck and Joe Joe were great. Nice boat, good times

    Stephen M. with Chuck T. of Key West, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Mike and his crew were amazing!! We went out with 5 kids all under the age of 16 and they all caught fish and had a blast!! Blind Squirrel Rocks!!

    Fred S. with Mike W. of Stock Island, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Had a fantastic day! Very relaxing and caught los of fish on the Cowgirl. The mate recommended the boathouse to take some of our catch for the restaurant to cook…Wow it was cooked to perfection!!

    Gene P. with Mark B. of Key West, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Very good fishing with Patrick..15 mahi mahi, 2 barracuda, and 2 jack fish. First time to fish with fishing line and bare hands. Caught a couple on a pole, but it was easier and faster with fishing line and hands. Thanks Patrick!

    Kirk B. with Patrick L. of Gustavia, St. Barts

  • ★★★★★
    This was an absolutely amazing trip! The crew was very friendly and entertained all our questions. When we were done, they cleaned the fish, took it to the restaurant and suggested how to best have it prepared. I've never had such fresh fish before. I highly recommend anyone to book with Captain experiences!

    Michael N. with Alberto G. of Cancún, Quintana Roo

  • ★★★★★
    Was a great trip, while we didn't get all we wanted the crew worked there butt off!!! Would for sure book through them again!!

    Travis Z. with Mark B. of Key West, Florida

What's biting?

View Blue Marlin Fishing Reports from our damn good guides.

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