Private Deep Sea Fishing Charters
OFFSHORE MARLIN FISHING TRIPS CHARTERS WITH SALT WALKER
Marlin fishing from South Padre Island in the Gulf of Mexico is said to be by many experienced game fishermen the ultimate in offshore game fishing. Marlins are fast powerful fish that require special equipment and techniques to catch. Blue marlins are possibly the most sought-after marlin species. Beautiful in form, capable of spectacular fighting ability and having the potential to reach great sizes, blue marlin have inspired and continue to inspire the dedicated pursuit of thousands of skippers, crews, and anglers.
From South Padre Island big billfish, like sailfish, white marlin, and blue marlin can be found in the clear blue waters as close as twenty-five miles offshore. The distance varies from day to day and seasons. The closer to shore the better, this means more time is spent fishing these productive waters giving us a better chance of hooking the big fish we're looking for.
Atlantic blue marlin (Makaira nigricans)
The Atlantic blue marlin feeds on a wide variety of smaller fish near the surface like mackerel and tuna, but have been known to dive deep to eat squid and other bottom fish. By using its bill, it can stun, injure, or kill while knifing through a school of fish and quickly return to eat its prey. Marlins are a popular game fish that are usually released alive to help preserve the species.
Females can get significantly larger than males, over 14 feet (4.3 meters) in length and weigh more than 1,985 pounds (900 kilograms). Average sizes tend to be in the range of 11 feet (3.4 meters) and 200 to 400 pounds (91 to 181 kilograms). The Texas state record for Blue Marlin is 972lbs., 132.25 in, caught on July 11, 2014, by Richard Richardson Jr. with Capt. Kevin Deerman and mate Cameron Plaag on the “Legacy” during the Bastante tournament out of Rockport, TX.
Fishing techniques mostly involve trolling with dead natural bait and artificial lures. Targeting marlin and other big billfish is best done in a fighting chair with plenty of help from a competent deckhand and captain.