Man in the Blue Suit...

[Patudo]

Hi everyone,

I know this isn't the right "kind" of billfish but I'd like to hear from you all about the blue and white marlin fishing in Florida. How far offshore, size and number of fish, best season etc. Do many of you guys target blue marlin? Have any of you ever hooked-up to a blue or white, or a sailfish, while targeting broadbill?

cheers - Patudo

[Darkside]

3 Blues in 5 years while swordfishing. All the fish were over 250lbs one was almost 400lbs. 8)

[Litetackleredneck]

Blue marlin fishing is spectacular out here. I usually troll on the way out going swording. Ever trip i raise at least one. Pull large lures, my favorites are the pakula Mouse and Patriot short corner. If you want baits for em, i fish all naked ballys, horses in the wash and mediums as long baits.

[Brandon]

I caught one around feb. in 800 feet of water on a window floating, the first pass we caught a 15 pound dolphin and the next pass was a 350 pound blue marlin on a 3in. purple and black lure with 100lb. mono leader, and it was off boynton inlet around 12:00, but ya there are alot of marlin/sailfish, in fact i caught a sailfish today, Keep the reports coming, Brandon

[J.P Freeman]

fished many a night. never got one. never got a yellowfin either.

[fishnherb]

First, marlin are not known for being nocturnal feeders and the Fla swordfishery is a primarily a nighttime operation. Here in the NE, swords are usually a by-catch when chunking for tuna. This is done drifting, but usually anchored up. For the past few years, some friends and I, while yellowfin tuna fishing at night, have started dropping lighted baits for swords with mixed success. Fishing in this manner, I have never caught or heard of anyone catching a white or blue marlin. Now if you start slow trolling like they do in NZ--who knows? Would love some more info on their deep trolling style.

[Captain Joe McGivern]

i wish i could raise at least one everytime i tried :cry:

[J.P Freeman]

yeah really, what am i doing different than he is? :?

[FinalPoint]

:idea: Telling the truth?

[Litetackleredneck]

FP, its the truth. There are two keys to Blue Marlin succsess that i've found. Pull lures with alot of agressive action, (and constantly ajust them), secondly, lures MUST have a large eye in them. When looking for lures, i like baits (at least for the short corner) to be 12 inches or so. Like above te Pakula Patriot and Mouse have brought me much succsess. Long baits really im not too concerned with, just because 90% of Blue's are raise on the "flatline" baits. One lure i just picked up today, which really impressed me, (for a long bait) was the Aloha Lure Co. Small Beauty. I've heard of much succesess with all sizes, but i would consider the 3 above named lures a must in every blue marlin fishermans assorment.[/u]

[Captain Joe McGivern]

i find it amazing that u raise one everytime u go out.See i fish for them pretty frequently,and not to say i am an awesome marlin fisherman,but i know my shit,i have finished in the top 3 a few times in the bbc and also fish many time in australia for blacks. and your the only person i know who sees one everytime they are out.

[J.P Freeman]

i troll out there almost every time. unless i am getting out there real late obviously. i have never even hooked one.
we fish the big boy lures and everything. if you are raising them every trip. wow. my hat goes off to you.

[Mike]

You're not? I raise a few every trip :smoker

[FinalPoint]

OK, I'm going with you next time then. Then we can get a sword before sunset and be on our way home. A few marlin released and a sword in the boat.

[Mike]

Finalpoint - you in the Swordlords next week?

I'm not sure if I'm fishing it yet or what.. weather should be fine though.

[bullfighter]

Mike, you can't be serious. I was thinking litetackleredneck was highly suspecious but now with your comments (if serious) I'm begining to wonder.

Here is my proposal: I'll take you (Mike) or litetackleredneck swording any day, (all expenses on me) we'll leave port whenever you want to troll for Blue Marlin while heading to the Sword grounds. I'll wager 10 to 1 anything you want that we won't raise a Blue Marlin. *I hope one of you take me up on it and I hope I loose the bet.*

We have never targeted Marlin in this area because (like chumin) I didn't think the results would warrent the time. I hope you can proove me wrong.
Lot-a-bull

[Captain Joe McGivern]

Marlin fishing just like anywhere in the world is put in the equation of %days of fishing =1 fish. Now we all know thats its possible to catch one or more in one day or under 5 days. But if u travel anywher ein the world and ask all the top captains how many days would u need to book to catch your ist they will tell u 5 days.Just like most sword captains will tell u 3 trips off of our coasts.

Bullfighter i would love to jump on that one iwth ya,i say we make it 15-1 :!:

[FinalPoint]

Mike -
I was debating swordlords, but I'm not sure if I want to do it. I have the info so if I do decide to I will sign up soon, but it all depends on other plans and if I have the time to prepare.

[bullfighter]

Chumin, I'm with you. Lets go 15 to 1, it's all up to LTRN :^o . Again, I hope he takes me up on the bet and I hope I lose.

[J.P Freeman]

Originally Posted by Mike

You're not? I raise a few every trip :smoker

lmao. i haven't seen that emotion smoking a j before.