Marlin

Black marlin is a bluewater species, found in tropical and subtropical areas of the Indian and Pacific oceans. They’re usually found near current lines and where baitfish gather in large numbers.

In Australia, the most famous fishing ground is off Cairns and around the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, where tag and release fishing is commonly exercised.

However, marlin can be found and caught anywhere along the Australian coastline, but are rarely recorded along the southern coast. They prefer tropical waters and only move south in summer and early autumn with the warmer currents.

The Great Barrier Reef, off the north-eastern coast of Australia, is the only confirmed breeding ground for black marlin. Spawning occurs between September and November.

In New Zealand, black marlin is a rare catch, but they usually arrive in coastal waters during summer and autumn, feeding on the abundance of bait fish around the upper half of the North Island. The most productive months seem to be February and March.

Atlantic blue marlin is found throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean, whereas the Pacific blue marlin is found throughout the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

The warm currents in the western Indian Ocean have a major influence on the seasonal distribution of blue marlin, which are considered the most tropical marlin species as they’re rarely found in water cooler than 20 degrees Celsius. 

They’re a bluewater species, rarely found in waters less than 100 metres deep, so fishing is usually centred over the continental shelf. They spend the majority of their life in the open sea, far from land.

In Australia, their distribution ranges from Albany in WA, around the northern coast to the eastern coast of Victoria. You’ll find blue marlin in NSW throughout February and March, and along the WA coastline from October right through to April. In Victoria, the high seasons are January to March, and October to December, although you can catch them throughout the year.

Queensland is a key fishing location for blue marlin, particularly the Sunshine Coast where you’ll find them all year round. Around Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef, you’ll be able to target blue marlin from September to December. Out from Townsville, the peak is in August and September, but you’ll find juveniles in the area as early as April.

In New Zealand, the hot spots are usually around the Three Kings, North Cape and the Northland coastline, but you can expect to find them around the East Cape for a short period. They usually arrive in December/January and stick around until May/June.

Like blue marlin, striped marlin also has flexible pectoral fins which can be folded along their body. This helps them create an aerodynamic, streamlined shape when swimming at speed. They’re known as the second fastest fish in the world, with some records claiming they can swim up to 50 miles per hour.

Striped marlin is found all around the world in tropical to temperate waters, not far from the surface. They’re an epipelagic predator, meaning they hunt during the day in the top 100 metres (330ft) of the water column, often near the surface.

In Australia, striped marlin can be found from Cape Naturaliste in WA northwards, and around to the east coast as far south as northern Tasmania.

They prefer water temperatures of 20-26 degrees Celsius so they’re most common on the main east and west coasts of Australia. Their coldwater tolerance means they will travel further in temperate waters than any other marlin and they’re the only species of marlin to visit the waters of Tasmania.

Striped marlin can be found closer inshore, shadowing baitfish schools, and they’re often taken in conjunction with tuna species.

NSW is the top location to target stripes marlin in Australia, particularly the Far South Coast. Striped marlin migrate south with the East Australian Current, congregating around locations like Jervis Bay, Ulladulla and Bermagui. The best time of year is between January and May.

After they’ve fed on the vast schools of baitfish in the area, they migrate north again, along the NSW coast, before heading out into the Coral Sea to spawn in late winter and spring. Northern NSW and Gold Coast anglers can experience some good fishing as the marlin migrate through, however the bite is usually short lived as the fish continue north.

In New Zealand, striped marlin can be caught off both coasts of the North Island from late December through to May. This is primarily in the area between New Plymouth on the west coast, up around the top of the country, and down to Napier on the east coast. They’re usually caught in bluewater depths over 80m but regularly stray into shallower, coastal waters depending on where schools of bait are congregating.