Marlin Fishing - Striped Marlin - Angling Destinations

Angling Destinations

Australia

Although Australia is known for its black and more recently blue marlin fishery, striped marlin are often found in the subtropical waters of the vast island continent and are a popular target for Australian anglers. The country's largest inter-club tournament is held at the Port Stephens area of New South Wales, and has produced several striped marlin records on ultra-light and fly tackle. Larger striped marlin in the 250 to 300 lb plus class often show up in the southern part of their range. Batemans Bay, Ulladulla and Bermagui in southern New South Wales is where fish of this class can be encountered. Live-baiting with such baits as slimy mackerel and skipjack tuna, and trolling artificial lures are the two most common techniques here but many top crews have experienced success with fly-rod and light-tackle records using the bait and switch technique.

Ecuador

The Galapagos Islands are home to great concentrations of striped marlin. While "sportfishing" is technically prohibited in the Galapagos, since 2006 visitors may legally engage in what is known as "pesca vivencial," or recreational fishing with licensed local guides. Guides targeting marlin operate out of the island of San Cristobal. The warmer "wet" season between December and June is best for higher numbers, but larger striped marlin (200+ pound range) are caught during the colder late summer months. Striped marlin are also fished on the Ecuadorian mainland. Salinas in the southern part of the country and Manta further north are the main sportfishing bases in Ecuador. The cold Humboldt Current from the south meets the equatorial current along the Ecuadorian coastline and when conditions are right, the combination of current, colour and temperature breaks amass concentrations of baitfish that attract large striped marlin as well as larger blue and black marlin, yellowfin and bigeye tuna.

Kenya

Striped marlin are one of three marlin species that appear in east African waters. Kenya has the most well-developed sport fishery in this region and every year boats from Malindi, Lamu and Watamu in the north, as well as Shimoni in the south, see excellent striped marlin fishing. huge blue and black marlin are also caught in these waters and there are many charter boats specifically out to catch these fish.

Mexico

Cabo is promoted as the Striped Marlin Capital of the world. Many striped marlin are caught recreationally at the Mexican tourist mecca of Cabo San Lucas. The local fishing banks and offshore grounds are fished by large fleets of local and American sportfishing boats. Striped marlin may be caught year round in Cabo waters but the heaviest concentrations seem to show up in late autumn and good numbers stay around into the spring. On 9th Dec 2007 during the Mini WCBRT team Reelaxe released a total of 330 striped marlin in the two day tournament setting another tournament record for a single team in two days. With a New record of 190 Striped Marlin in One day. Team consisted of Chris Badsey, Dave Brackmann, Steve Brackmann, Alex Rogers, Jose Espanoza, Mark Clayton, Saul Contrearus, Dennis Poulton. Top angler was Reelaxe angler Jose Esponoza with a personal best and tournament record of 59 released striped marlin in a single day. Prior to that in November 2007 the crew of the sportfishing vessel Reelaxe, fishing on the Finger Bank, set a one-day catch record of 179 striped marlin.

New Zealand

Marlin fishing in New Zealand waters dates back to the turn of the 20th century. Some of the largest striped marlin, over 400 lb, having been caught in New Zealand. The all-tackle striped marlin record of 494 lb is held here, and striped marlin of over 300 lb are caught in New Zealand waters every year. Some New Zealand anglers, often fishing in small trailerable boats, pursue striped marlin from Houhoura and the North Cape in the far north of the country to as far south as Gisborne, Raglan and Napier in the south. Lure fishing is a popular fishing technique used by New Zealand marlin fishermen with many good fish also being taken on live and rigged dead baits.