The Excitement Of Blue Marlin Fishing
Blue marlin fishing is a fascinating and addictive pastime for the adventurous angler. Their sleek bodies reach up to twenty feet in length. This, together with their long, pointed bills, combine to make them particularly photogenic. Weighing nearly a ton, they put up a fierce struggle and serve as worthy opponents for those strong enough and crazy enough to take them on in hand to hand combat using a rod and reel.
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
In common with their human sparring partners, these creatures crave warmth. They are found mainly in tropical seas, both Indo-Pacific and Atlantic. They take advantage of advantageous feeding conditions in the temperate zones of the north and south during the spring and summer months.
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.
Unfortunately, blue marlin fishing is expensive and physically demanding. It is also hugely rewarding. Pursuing them with marlin fishing charters attracts deep sea anglers to some lovely and pleasant waters on earth and provides memories that last a lifetime.