Black Marlin

• Season: Year-round · less common, often very large
• Typical size: 300 – 700+ lb · released
• Water: Offshore / Billfish
• Kept / Released: Catch & release

Less common than blues but often larger, the black marlin is a true trophy of the eastern Pacific. Blacks tend to hold closer to structure and bait schools and can show up on the same offshore trips that target sailfish and blue marlin — the fish that turns a good day into a story you tell for years.

Where & when

Offshore seamounts, drop-offs and bait concentrations. A full-day offshore charter is the best shot at a black.

How we fish it

Slow-trolled live bonito and large lures on heavy tackle. Hooking one is luck and timing; landing one is teamwork. Released boatside.