Black Marlin
Istiompax indica
FR Marlin noir · ES Marlín negro · IT marlin indopacifico · DE Schwarzer Marlin
Also known as: Pacific Black MarlinSilver MarlinAguja NegraMarlin NegroMarlinMarlín negroMarlin noirSchwarzer Marlinmarlin indopacifico
PelagicBoat
BillfishGamefish
Score
—
Prime time
Seasonal migrations; daytime troll windows
Depth
10–250m
Platform
Boat
Season
JanMarJunSepDec
Peak Oct–DecGood Jan–Sep
Depth range
10–250mDeep
Best fishing techniques
Trolling80%
Findr bio
Billfish battering ram — I hit trolled baits like a truck and keep dumping line long after you thought I was done.
How to catch
Favourite hangouts
Open seaDeep water
Recommended baits
Fish baitsArtificial baits
Diet
Small fishAnchovySquidMackerelOctopus
Effective techniques
Trolling
Gear
Best times
DawnDayDusk
My pectoral fins lock rigid and can't fold flat against my body — the field mark that separates me from every other marlin.
Field notes
Where to find them
Warm Indo-Pacific offshore waters
Where they hang out
Offshore, surface to mid-water
Prime time
Seasonal migrations; daytime troll windows
Tide game
Low; current edges and temp breaks matter most
What they're into
Trolled lures and rigged baits
Temperature vibe
Warm-water species
Fave weather
Moderate seas workable
Fun fact about me
Heavyweight of the billfish world — I turn light tackle into a bad idea.
Dinner material?
6/10Edible, nothing special
Play by the rules
Often catch-and-release for billfish — check regional rulesNational fisheries agency
Looking after them
Vulnerable