Big Game & Marlin Fishing

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Target Species

Blue Marlin

Blue marlin is a large and powerful game fish found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. They are highly sought-after by sport fishermen due to their impressive size, strength, and acrobatic jumps, but face threats such as overfishing and habitat loss.

Black Marlin

These are similar to Blue Marlin but don’t get quite as big and are not known to jump as often keeping to the depths during the fight.

Striped Marlin

Known to be the most plentiful marlin often swimming in shoals, these are not found very often swimming in Cape waters so to catch one is special.

White Marlin

These are the smallest and often rarest marlin species but some of the biggest White Marlin in the world have been found in Cape Town.

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Cape Town Fishing Charters Marlin Fishing Tips

About marlin fishing in Cape Town

Marlin fishing in Cape Town has become an exciting and highly promising new fishery. The discovery of this new fishery is rapidly putting Cape Town on the global map as a serious marlin fishing destination. Each year, more and more boats are targeting marlin, and as a result, the fishing industry is growing, and more significant and more abundant fish are being caught. As this emerging fishery continues to grow, it is clear that Cape Town is poised to become a major player in the world of marlin fishing, attracting anglers from all over the world to come and experience the thrill of the catch.

What’s more? Well, in the warm currents where the Marlin are feeding it is not uncommon to find Dorado (Mahi-Mahi) and Wahoo in and amongst.

Best time to catch marlin in Cape Town

The best time to target marlin in Cape Town is from February to April when the warm currents move closer to the shore, bringing water temperatures of 21+ degrees Celsius. During this time, sea conditions are at their calmest, offering ample opportunities to head out to sea and catch marlin. The warm currents also attract dorado, skipjack tuna, and juvenile yellowfin tuna, which are the primary food source for marlin. This makes it an ideal time to target marlin, as they are more likely to be in the area and feeding. With the calm sea conditions, it’s also easier to spot and track these elusive game fish, providing an excellent opportunity for anglers to test their skills and land a trophy marlin.

How to catch marlin in Cape Town

Catching marlin in Cape Town using trolling techniques is the primary method to catch them. The key to a successful catch is using live skipjack or yellowfin tuna as bait, bridled and towed behind the boat, or a large marlin cona behind a teaser to attract the fish. It is important to adjust the speed of the boat to mimic the natural movement of the baitfish and create an irresistible lure for the marlin. The ideal trolling speed should be between six to eight knots, and the depth of the bait should be between 1 to 5 meters (live bait) or skipping on the surface (cona). Once a marlin takes the bait, it is essential to remain patient and allow the fish to run and tire itself out before reeling it in. With the right technique, equipment, and a bit of luck, catching a marlin in Cape Town can be an unforgettable experience for any angler.

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