Damn Good Blue Marlin Fishing Charters

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Top Cities for Blue Marlin Fishing

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Blue Marlin Fishing Charters

Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in Playa del Carmen

4-8 Hour Offshore Trip

NEW Managed by Dan
25 ft 1 - 6 People From $318
Hot Trip
people are viewing this trip.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in Venice

Dash To The Deep - 41' Onslow

100% (5) Guided by John
41 ft 1 - 12 People From $2,200
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Deep Sea, Nearshore in Playa Flamingo

5/7 Hrs Offshore Or Inshore Fishing

NEW Managed by Amber Lynn
28 ft 1 - 12 People From $900
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Deep Sea Fishing in Corral del Risco

Punta Mita Fishing 38 Sportfisher

100% (4) Managed by Steve
38 ft 1 - 16 People From $1,700
Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in Key West

Offshore, Reef & Wreck, And Sunset

100% (125) Guided by Antonio
36 ft 1 - 12 People From $900
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in Punta Cana

Deep Sea Punta Cana - 42’ Sportfish

100% (1) Managed by Yustas
42 ft 1 - 8 People From $600
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Everything to Know About Booking a blue marlin fishing charter

What are the best blue marlin fishing charters?

The best blue marlin fishing charters are:

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

  • ★★★★★
    Excellent trip. Captain Hans and Eric when above and beyond. Will book with them again.

    Kenneth P. | October 4, 2025

    Trip: Key West Fishing Slam

  • ★★★★★
    It wasn’t fishing. It was like winning the lottery. Every time a hook went into the water, a fish would come up. This charter was the best I’ve ever taken. The crew was amazing. The captain knew exactly where to fish. These guys spoiled us.

    Vince C. | August 20, 2025

    Trip: Wanchese Offshore Trip

  • ★★★★★
    This trip was one of a kind, the crew was very knowledgeable, friendly, and all around great people to be around. The crew had stayed out even longer to help us catch as much fish as possible, and I had gotten the chance to cross some species off my bucket list to catch. If you’re looking for an experience of a lifetime, and something to remember forever, I’d book this charter!

    Evan C. | August 14, 2025

    Trip: Offshore, Reef & Wreck, And Sunset

  • ★★★★★
    Had a great time hats off to the crew Jason & Dillion. We caught the fish.

    Dewayne C. | August 6, 2025

    Trip: Harbor Hookup: Destin Fishing Fun

  • ★★★★★
    Great experience. Attended to all needs, very friendly, and knowledgeable.

    James P. | August 4, 2025

    Trip: Offshore, Reef & Wreck, And Sunset

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