Home > Species Guide > Blue MarlinMAKAIRA NIGRICANS
Blue Marlin
The undisputed king of offshore sport fishing. Blue marlin are the largest of the Atlantic and Pacific marlins, legendary for their raw power, incredible stamina, and the sheer scale of the fight they deliver. Cabo's Bisbee's Black & Blue tournament has paid out over $100 million in prizes pursuing this species.
1,376 lbs
IGFA WORLD RECORD
~16 ft (5 m)
MAX LENGTH
~50 mph
TOP SPEED
Jun-Nov
PEAK SEASON
SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION
Taxonomy & Biology
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Istiophoriformes
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Istiophoridae
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Makaira
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M. nigricans (Lacepède, 1802)
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Blue marlin, Pacific blue marlin, marlín azul (Spanish), a'u (Hawaiian)
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Females 20+ years, males ~10 years
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Tuna, mackerel, squid, dolphinfish, flying fish
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Tropical and warm-temperate waters of Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Pelagic, usually near the surface but capable of diving to 1,000+ feet.
The blue marlin is the largest and most powerful of all billfish species. Females grow significantly larger than males — most fish over 300 pounds are female. Males rarely exceed 300 pounds. The species is found throughout tropical and warm-temperate ocean waters worldwide.
Blue marlin are identifiable by their cobalt blue dorsal surface, silver-white flanks, and retractable pectoral fins (unlike black marlin, whose pectorals are rigid). Their dorsal fin is lower and more rounded than the striped marlin's pointed fin.
In Cabo San Lucas, blue marlin arrive with the warm water in late spring and remain through fall. They are primarily targeted offshore at distances of 10 to 30 miles from the marina, around underwater structure and temperature breaks where bait concentrates.
WHEN TO FISH
Seasonal Patterns in Cabo San Lucas
JAN
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FEB
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MAR
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APR
★
MAY
★★
JUN
★★★
JUL
★★★
AGO
★★★
SEP
★★★
OCT
★★★
NOV
★★
DEC
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HOW TO CATCH THEM
Fishing Techniques & Tackle
TOURNAMENT STANDARD
TROLLING WITH LURES
Large skirted lures (10–14 inch heads) in blue/white, purple/black, and green/yellow are trolled at 7–10 knots in a spread of 5–7 lures. This is the standard tournament technique used in Bisbee's. Tackle: 50–80 lb class conventional reels on stand-up or chair rods.
TRADITIONAL
DEAD BAIT TROLLING
Rigged ballyhoo, mullet, or bonito belly strips trolled behind teasers. This traditional method remains effective and is often combined with a mixed lure-and-bait spread. Tackle: 50 lb class conventional.
HIGHEST HOOKUP RATE
LIVE BAIT
Large live baits — skipjack tuna, bonito, or caballito — slow-trolled or pitched to raised fish. Circle hooks improve hookup rates and reduce deep hooking. Tackle: 50–80 lb class with heavy fluorocarbon leader.
WORLD RECORDS
IGFA Records & Notable Catches
IGFA ALL-TACKLE WORLD RECORD
1,376 LB
Caught by Jay de Beaubien on May 31, 1982 off Kaaiwi Point, Kona, Hawaii. Fought for 40 minutes on a Kita lure using a Fin-Nor 12/0 reel.
TYPICAL GOOD CATCH
200-400 lb
Blue marlin in Cabo commonly weigh 200 to 400 pounds, with granders (1,000+ lb fish) caught annually. The Bisbee's tournament regularly weighs fish over 400 pounds.
TOP SPEED
~50 mph
Estimated maximum burst speed. Blue Marlin are among the fastest fish in the ocean.
MAXIMUM RECORDED LENGTH
~16 ft (5 m)
Approximate maximum total length. Cabo blue marlin typically measure smaller.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Conservation & Regulations
Responsible Fishing in Cabo
Blue marlin are classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Mexican permits allow one billfish per boat per day, but Top Anglers strongly encourages catch and release for all billfish. Our captains use circle hooks and proper revival techniques to maximize post-release survival.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Black Marlin FAQ
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Peak blue marlin season in Cabo runs from June through November, with the largest fish typically appearing in September and October — coinciding with Bisbee's Black & Blue tournament. Water temperatures above 78°F trigger the arrival of blue marlin from the open Pacific.
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Blue marlin in Cabo commonly weigh 200 to 400 pounds, with fish over 500 pounds caught every season. Granders — fish exceeding 1,000 pounds — are caught in Cabo waters annually. The IGFA all-tackle world record for Pacific blue marlin is 1,376 pounds, caught in Hawaii.
EXPLORE MORE
Other Species in Cabo
Kajikia Audax
Striped Marlin
Full Species Profile →
Thunnus Albacares
Yellowfin tuna
Full Species Profile →
Coryphaena Hippurus
Dorado
Full Species Profile →
Acanthocybium Solandri
Wahoo
Full Species Profile →
Which Boat Should You Book for Blue Marlin?
Blue marlin fishing requires a full-day offshore trip on a 32' or larger sportfisher ($1,100+ half-day). For tournament-class capability targeting granders, our 44' Viking ($1,700) or 45' CABO Express ($1,700) are the top choices. View all boats →
Target Blue Marlin in Cabo
Our captains know exactly where and when to find blue marlin. Call or email directly — no booking fees, no middlemen.
NO BOOKING FEES · NO COMMISSIONS · DIRECT WITH OUR CABO TEAM