Billfish

[vatech]

I'm interested in planning some vacations/trips designed specifically for catching marlin, sailfish, and swordfish. To do this, I would like to know where the biggest of each of these species can be caught in the world and what time of year provides the best chances. I'm not looking for a location that contains all three species, just the best individual locations for each.

Anyone know a website or forum that has helpful information related to billfish? Furthermore, any recommendations for fishing guides or locations that people might already know of would be fantastic. Thank you.

[bigbaitfisher]

I suggest going to Ocean City, Maryland for White Marlin, as it is the White Marlin Capital of the WORLD. We took 2nd place in the WMO tournament this past summer with an 85 pound white! Big enough to win every tournament the past 20 some years, but a BEHEMOTH 91 pounder came to the scales.

Swords are all along the coast, best time is typically night time. We do good out of O.C. but I think NORTH is better. Time it right in O.C. and with the right captain you can tuna fish or shark fish in the pre-dusk hours, and then set up shop for swords at dark. TONS of fun.

I don't know any specific forums, but places like TidalFish.com may provide more details for bigger species.

If you're REALLY looking to travel, Guatemala and Costa Rica is a GREAT destination for billfish in our winter months (January and February)

PM me if you have any questions.  I'm not much of a forum browser anymore.

[SirSnookalot]

Probably a 100 different opinions of where to catch the largest of each species.  Time of the year is important for each individual species.  Right now sailfish are hot in Florida, becoming difficult to catch them in the summer, white marlin are best caught in the summer, in Florida 100+.

Some like the Caribbean and it's good real good there, I had a place in Cabo and it's great there too, they catch striped marlin which run bigger than white.  My first trip there I went out in " panga" no motor the Mexican guide rowed out into the cape, it was fantastic, nowadays they all use motors.

[Shane Procell]

Miami Fl. is a place you can come and bang all 3 in one week. The best web site is called swordfishcentral. There are plenty of articles and charter captains on there with daily updates. The marlin will be the toughest to get, but the swords and sails are easy and plentiful. Good luck. Best time is Oct-March.