Damn Good Blue Marlin Fishing Charters

Check real-time availability and compare rates on blue marlin fishing trips. Confidently book your next day on the water.

Choose a Date
4.79/5 Average Rating

Damn Good Guides

You will only find quality, vetted guides on Captain Experiences, and we know them all on a first-name basis

Experts Available 24/7

Our US-based team is available 24/7 to help you with any questions or concerns

100% Weather Guarantee

We want to keep everyone safe, so in the case of inclement weather we'll work with you to reschedule at no cost

Top Cities for Blue Marlin Fishing

“Our Damn Good Guides go above and beyond, and we’ve handpicked every single one. We’re passionate about the outdoors and look forward to getting you out on the trip of a lifetime, every time.”

Jonathan and Attison   |   Co-founders   |   Austin, Texas

Blue Marlin Fishing Charters

Hot Trip
people are viewing this trip.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in Destin

Fall Nearshore/Offshore Special

100% (13) Guided by Matthew
42 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,590
Hot Trip
people are viewing this trip.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in Cabo San Lucas

Cabo VIP Fishing - 32’ Luhrs

100% (27) Managed by Jim
32 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,160
Hot Trip
people are viewing this trip.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in Mazatlán

BIG GAME FISHING IN MAZATLAN, MEX

NEW Managed by Tadeo
26 ft 1 - 8 People From $449
Hot Trip
people are viewing this trip.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in Key West

Dry Tortugas Multi-Day Trip

NEW Guided by Yuri
50 ft 1 - 12 People From $5,900
Hot Trip
people are viewing this trip.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in Ocean City

Ocean City Overnight Offshore Trip

NEW Managed by Sean
46 ft 1 - 6 People From $3,950
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 Fishing in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle

Big Game Fishing La Cruz

100% (6) Managed by Steve
31 ft 1 - 5 People From $1,750
See All Blue Marlin Trips

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

  • ★★★★★
    Paul was fantastic with communication and very accommodating. Originally scheduled to go out on Saturday but he contacted me ahead of time with some ocean condition concerns and we were able to move it to Sunday which was much calmer seas and a super pleasant experience on the water. Large boat with tons of room for our party of 4. Nice covered area and table for eating and getting a little reprieve from the sun. Unfortunately we didn't get into any sailfish that day but thats the way of the water and how fishing goes sometimes. We did get a couple king fish that Paul fileted up for us at the dock and still sent us home with a bunch of fresh fish that we were able to grill up that night.

    Dean G. | January 26, 2026

    Trip: Ultimate Offshore Thrills

  • ★★★★★
    Paul and first mate Gary worked hard all day on our 8 hour trip offshore. Targeting Blackfin Tuna, Mackerel and Sailfish all day and keeping us over the fish with consistent bites. Would definitely recommend to anybody who wants a good experience offshore and will hopefully be back again in the future.

    Adam T. | October 13, 2025

    Trip: Ultimate Offshore Thrills

  • ★★★★★
    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

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

    James P. | August 4, 2025

    Trip: Offshore, Reef & Wreck, And Sunset

  • ★★★★★
    It’s a shame that I can only give Captain Ron and Damien 5 stars because they deserve so many more. We booked a charter for four hours at 7AM and we were hoping to catch some Tuna and Mahi Mahi. Captain Ron delivered on both. We also caught a bunch of bonitos and a king fish. Captain Ron was very accommodating, friendly, and a professional. My family and I enjoyed ourselves and got everything we wanted out of this trip & more. A HUGE thank you to you Captain Ron and Damien and we are looking forward to booking again with you in the future!

    Emilio E. | July 8, 2025

    Trip: Sportfishing Pompano Beach

States

Cities

Countries

Other Fishing Species

Tour Species

Featured Cities

What's biting?

View Blue Marlin Fishing Reports from our damn good guides.

Didn't Find What You Were Looking For?

Our guides are Damn Good Guides, which means they’re vetted by our team of outdoor experts who know them on a first-name basis. We hand pick each and every one of them, and our network spans all across the US and beyond.

The proof is in the pudding, and we’re incredibly proud of our 4.9 / 5 average review score. Hit the button below to see more trip options:

Enter to Win a

$500 DAMN GOOD GIFT CARD

Gift Card

Sign up to win $500 towards ANY trip. Winners drawn monthly.

By subscribing, you agree to receive marketing communications from Captain Experiences. To opt-out, click the unsubscribe button at the bottom of our emails. Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions

See All Blue Marlin Trips