The Perfect Sites For Black Marlin Charters

The Black Marlin (Makaira Indica from the order Perciformes) that lives in surface waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. One of the fastest fish on earth (50 miles per hour), M. Indica weighs in at around 750 kilometers (approximately 1700 pounds), although larger specimens have been caught. It is a highly sought after commercial game fish. Black Marlin Charters offer a thoroughly satisfying sports fishing experience.

Makaira

As with other genera of Order Perciformes, Makaira appears on the Greenpeace seafood red list. This list documents species that have a high likelihood of being harvested from supplies that are unsustainable. This is why the modern sport fisherman will pause only to photograph their prize and then return it to the sea from whence it emerged. Other species in the same family, Istiophoridae, include the Japanese White Marlin as well as the Hawaiian Silver Marlin.

Old Salt

In the novel, 'The Old Man and the Sea', written by Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961), old salt, Santiago, finally manages to break a 12-week dry spell by hooking a member of Makaira. The rest of the novel goes on to describe the hero's legendary battle against the combined forces of the fierce, resolute beast and Mother Nature.

Color

Contrary to its moniker, M. Indica is not black but rather deep blue and white with black tail and pectoral fins. The pectoral fins are unique in that they are rigid, rather than flexible. Another feature that sets it apart from other species is its abbreviated ventral fin, no more than 12 inches in length. Makaira likes the warm equatorial and subtropical waters that hug the coastline, although it is not completely absent from the open sea. It has been spotted as far north as the Lesser Antilles and as far south as Brazil.

Popular Tours

The eastern coast of Australia offers some of the best chartered fishing breaks on the planet. Approximately 75% of all marlin over the weight of one ton are caught along a 150-mile section of the Great Barrier Reef off the Cairns coast. Altogether, game fishermen off the coasts of Brazil, Hawaii and Portugal catch in the region of half this amount.

Game Fish

The deep sea waters off of Brisbane's Gold Coast is a much frequented haunt for light tackle sport fishermen looking for M. Indica and other game species. Hobbyists can trawl for Mia Mia, Spanish Mackerel and Wahoo, among others. Jiggers, or bottom fishers, also flock here to capture the likes of Cobia, Kingfish, Peal Perch and Snapper.

Port Stephens

Off the south west coast of Australia lies Port Stephens, a port more than twice the size of nearby Sydney Harbor. This world-class spot for Black Marlin Fishing also offers spectacular views, golden, sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. Tours here run from the month of January to April.

Black Marlin Charters also operate out of Central America's Republic of Guatemala. This controls the months during which Black Marlin Fishing charters are able to operate.

Severe weather at Ipanema, Brazil