The Blue Marlin is one of the ocean’s fastest and strongest predators, making them one of the most highly sought-after game fish everywhere they are available.
Blue Marlin fishing is considered by anglers to be the pinnacle of offshore game fishing. Let’s learn more about this wonderful species by reading on below:
Well known adventurers and authors namely Zane Grey and Ernest Hemingway write extensively about their pursuit of this fish and have notably written great novels about them.
“There are always greater fish than you have caught, always the lure of greater task and achievement, always the inspiration to seek, to endure, to find.” – Zane Grey
Largest of the Atlantic Marlins
The Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans) is the most popular among the family of marlins and has earned legendary status in the game fishing world as it is the largest of the billfish group and it has successfully captured the hearts and souls of anglers for centuries.
This large predatory fish uses its spear or bill to attack and stun their prey before devouring them. Although challenging to distinguish among the rest of the marlin family, the Blue Marlin is characterized by its cobalt blue back, that gradually fades to its white belly.
Pale blue stripes are banded along the length of its long cylindrical bodies but fade away after they die. The pointed dorsal fin is never as high as the maximum depth of its body then tapers down the length of its body close to the tail wrist.
They are deep dwellers that come up to the surface only to feed and always provides anglers with an epic battle of physical and mental strength that will be burned in memory for eternity.
Blue Marlins have a very diverse palate and prey on a wide range of prey species and sizes. From the smallest of filefish to tuna, mackerel, squid, scad, fusiliers and all other baitfish that inhabit the open ocean.
Even bigger fish in the 30 – 40kg range have been found in the stomachs of the bigger specimens. So prepare big baits to catch big fish.
Marlins are fast growing fish that reach weights of ~900kg or ~5m in length. 1000lb “granders” are the benchmark for a truly outstanding caught fish.
They also have a relatively long lifespan, with females reaching 27 years and males up to 18 years.
If you don’t have this amazing species in your hit list, there must be something wrong with you.
“Then, while the old man was clearing the lines and preparing the harpoon, the male fish jumped high into the air beside the boat to see where the female was and then went down deep, his lavender wings, that were his pectoral fins, spread wide and all his wide lavender stripes showing. He was beautiful, the old man remembered, and he had stayed.” – Ernest Hemingway, The Old Man and the Sea
Blue Marlin in Vanuatu
Blue Marlins are highly migratory, with individuals migrating across entire oceans, occurring widely in the tropical waters of the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific.
Many of these fish make seasonal migrations to and from the Northern and Southern hemispheres, going where the food is. This wide distribution allows anglers to target this species in many parts of the world.
With some of the best game-fishing coastlines in the world, offering volcanic walls, drop-offs and pinnacles, Vanuatu houses a healthy population of Blue Marlin amongst the other marlin species available, plus other hard pulling pelagic predators.
Big blues can be located where the bait is, and the more food available with the least chances of meeting larger predators, the more likely they will frequent the area.
As they are highly migratory, their locations will vary frequently and there won’t be any specific locations to target when chasing them.
Fishing Blue Marlin
Trolling with artificial lures is the most popular technique used by experienced crews worldwide but natural baits rigged to skip and swim are also highly effective.
Trolling for Blue Marlin with rigged baits, sometimes combined with a skirt is widely practiced and there are tons of videos online that provide anglers with detailed rigging options that have proven effective.
Trolling skirts or squids are one of the most popular artificial lures for marlin. Multiple shape options are available which offer different actions that result as attractants to game fish. Plungers, divers, bullets, pushers and cones among others are available and experienced game fishing crews utilize different “spreads” depending on feel and experience.
Like other billfish species, the bait and switch technique are also widely used. The crew teases up the fish using umbrella rigs, made to imitate a school of fleeing baitfish, flashers and noisy and visually appealing artificial lures are deployed at the back of a boat under trolling speed.
The anglers must be ready with a rigged bait close at hand. The skipper will act as the eyes of the boat and the angler will act as the hands, so be prepared for the skippers’ instructions.
Once a marlin is seen chasing the teasers and is close enough, your skipper will give you a go signal to pitch or release the bait back to where the fish is. If inexperienced, the deckies or crew will help you get the bait to where the targeted fish is.
Remember that these fish will swipe at their prey before eating so don’t jump the gun. Allow the fish to take the bait and give it a 3 -5 second run before tightening your line.
Utilizing this technique, fly anglers also have the opportunity to catch marlin on fly tackle, which is another challenge that is out of this world.
“There was never an angler who lived but that there was a fish capable of taking the conceit out of him.” – Zane Grey
With over two decades of experience targeting Blue Marlin in Vanuatu, the Ocean Blue team are well equipped with the experience and knowledge needed to successfully help you catch your dream marlin.
Send us an email or talk to us through our social media channels to find out when is the best time to visit Ocean Blue Vanuatu for Marlin. The team will provide you with all the necessary information and will offer you the best chances of catching the Blue Marlin of your dreams.
