Striped Marlin
Tetrapturus audax
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Striped Marlin Description
These are a great marlin to catch because they provide a good fight on the right gear but don’t take forever to land like their cousins the Black Marlin and Blue Marlin. They are also sometimes found in high concentrations so you have a shot at landing several in a day if everything lines up right.
The Striped Marlin displays beautiful colors when excited and jumps repeatedly when hooked. They are usually released. They average about 90-130lbs, with anything over 150lbs being a nice size fish in most places although they can exceed 400lbs in New Zealand. The most well known fisheries for them are Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and some parts of New Zealand. Apparently there is also a significant population in the Galapagos islands off of Ecuador.
Striped Marlin Tackle
I have used a medium weight conventional setup. If trolling I would use a 65lb braid setup, and if pitching a bait I would use a 50lb braid setup. This usually allows for a short but fun fight and a healthy release. A Shimano Trinidad 30 reel or a Daiwa Saltiga spinning reel would be good choices. Click here for these and other recommended tackle.
Striped Marlin Techniques
Striped Marlin are usually located by trolling. Their dorsal fin and/or bill can often be seen cutting through the water behind the trolled bait or lure, making for an exciting visual. While trolling, you should scan the water for fish as they often sun themselves near the surface. When a fish is spotted you can cast a bait in front of them and hope they decide to eat it.
Striped Marlin Lures
Most people troll rubber skirted lures when searching for Striped Marlin. I have had good success using Zukers trolling lures in the 12” size.
Striped Marlin Baits
Larger bait fish such as Pacific Mackerel can be used successfully for Striped Marlin. You can wait until you see one eyeing your trolling lures and then drop a bait back. Always have a casting bait handy in case a fish is spotted on the surface sunning itself. Use circle hooks for a better hookup and better release.
Where to get the big Striped Marlin
The biggest ones are in New Zealand although I have never fished for them there. The Cabo area of Baja sometimes sees huge numbers of these fish in the fall into the winter. They migrate but if they are in the area some boats make some nice double digit scores.
Other Striped Marlin Resources
The above barely scratches the surface on how to catch Striped Marlin. If you want to catch one, this is a good place to try: www.rancholeonero.com. Probably one of the cheapest good options for marlin.
Tetrapturus audax
HOME
Other Species
Striped Marlin Description
These are a great marlin to catch because they provide a good fight on the right gear but don’t take forever to land like their cousins the Black Marlin and Blue Marlin. They are also sometimes found in high concentrations so you have a shot at landing several in a day if everything lines up right.
The Striped Marlin displays beautiful colors when excited and jumps repeatedly when hooked. They are usually released. They average about 90-130lbs, with anything over 150lbs being a nice size fish in most places although they can exceed 400lbs in New Zealand. The most well known fisheries for them are Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and some parts of New Zealand. Apparently there is also a significant population in the Galapagos islands off of Ecuador.
Striped Marlin Tackle
I have used a medium weight conventional setup. If trolling I would use a 65lb braid setup, and if pitching a bait I would use a 50lb braid setup. This usually allows for a short but fun fight and a healthy release. A Shimano Trinidad 30 reel or a Daiwa Saltiga spinning reel would be good choices. Click here for these and other recommended tackle.
Striped Marlin Techniques
Striped Marlin are usually located by trolling. Their dorsal fin and/or bill can often be seen cutting through the water behind the trolled bait or lure, making for an exciting visual. While trolling, you should scan the water for fish as they often sun themselves near the surface. When a fish is spotted you can cast a bait in front of them and hope they decide to eat it.
Striped Marlin Lures
Most people troll rubber skirted lures when searching for Striped Marlin. I have had good success using Zukers trolling lures in the 12” size.
Striped Marlin Baits
Larger bait fish such as Pacific Mackerel can be used successfully for Striped Marlin. You can wait until you see one eyeing your trolling lures and then drop a bait back. Always have a casting bait handy in case a fish is spotted on the surface sunning itself. Use circle hooks for a better hookup and better release.
Where to get the big Striped Marlin
The biggest ones are in New Zealand although I have never fished for them there. The Cabo area of Baja sometimes sees huge numbers of these fish in the fall into the winter. They migrate but if they are in the area some boats make some nice double digit scores.
Other Striped Marlin Resources
The above barely scratches the surface on how to catch Striped Marlin. If you want to catch one, this is a good place to try: www.rancholeonero.com. Probably one of the cheapest good options for marlin.
