The Joys Of Blue Marlin Fishing

by garrett on October 10, 2011

The blue marlin is a spectacularly beautiful fish. With their sleek bodies and long, pointed noses, they look like they were designed specifically for the purpose of being photographed alongside muscular, suntanned fishermen. Up to twenty feet in length and weighing up to 1,800 pounds, they are fierce fighters and a worthy trophy for the blue marlin fishing enthusiast.

Catch And Release

Expeditions to hunt down and capture specimens may last only a day but it may take weeks or even months of hard training to get in shape for combat. Once photographed with the victor, they are released back into the sea from whence they came. This is to avoid depleting already diminishing populations. The epic nature of battles between man and this particular beast were immortalized in Ernest Hemingway’s 1952 novel, ‘The Old Man And The Sea’.

Warm Waters

Like many humans, this beast loves warmth. It is found mostly in tropical waters in both the Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific Oceans. They migrate seasonally in spring and summer to take advantage of rich feeding conditions in temperate conditions of the northern and southern hemispheres.

Two Species

Scientists have identified two genetically distinct species with preferences for the Atlantic (A-type) and Pacific (P-type) oceans. While the ‘P-type’ has been identified in both oceans, the ‘A-type’ is something of a homebody. There are no reports of its venturing outside the Atlantic Ocean.

Billfish

The general term ‘billfish’ describes a number of species of long, predatory fish characterized by long, sword-like bills. It includes sailfish and swordfish. They are generally exploited for both food and game. Swordfish, in particular, are prized for their firm, tasty flesh. While the long beaks have been observed in anger to spear objects such as small boats, their main function is to stun prey.

Different Lures For Blue Marlin

Blue marlin may be caught using artificial lures as well as natural and live bait. Artificial lure fishing, the most popular technique, originated in Hawaii. Some of the first artificial lures were fashioned from chrome bath towel pipes and strips of rubber from inner tubes. Four or more such lures are trolled behind boats travelling at speeds anywhere from 7.5 to as fast as 15 knots.

Best Live Bait For Blue Marlin

Skipjack tuna is the best live bait. This technique is somewhat limited in that the speed is determined by the degree to which the bait remains alive. Kona,Hawaii, seems to be a popular spot for using this technique. Skipjack tuna, squid and mackerel are among the natural diet of these popular game fish. An assessment of their stomach contents has revealed tuna up to 100 pounds in size. Natural baits may be dead or alive. Rigged natural baits, like Spanish mackerel and horse ballyhoo are popular for Atlantic types. Ballyhoo belongs to the halfbeak family of fish.

Blue marlin fishing is one of the most challenging and fascinating pastimes for the deep sea game fishing enthusiast. It is as demanding on the bank account as it is on the physique. Tracking them down with marlin fishing charters takes the fisherman to some of the most beautiful and pleasant waters on the face of the earth.

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