billfish

Blue Marlin

Makaira nigricans

Deep blue water, warm-core eddy interiors, big bait.

Preferred water temp74–84°F

Preferred depth300–2000 ft

Peak monthsMay, Jun, Jul, Aug

Holds ondeep eddies, canyon walls, 1000-fathom edge

In our regions

Northeast Florida — AtlanticCentral/Southeast Florida — AtlanticMiami & Keys — Atlantic sideSouthwest Florida — GulfFlorida Panhandle — GulfBig Bend — GulfBahamas — Bimini & Grand BahamaBahamas — Abaco & AndrosBahamas — Eleuthera, Exuma & Cat IslandNorth Carolina (Outer Banks + Cape Lookout)South Carolina CoastGeorgia CoastAlabama GulfMississippi GulfLouisiana GulfTexas Gulf

Regulations

⚠️ BETA: best-effort current as of May 31, 2026. Confirm with the linked FWC / NOAA source before keeping a fish.

Showing 11 of 11 regulations

AL_GULF

Alabama — State waters (0–3 nm) · AL CNR-MRD

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Minimum: 99″ LJFL (lower jaw to fork)

HMS permit.

Alabama blue marlin: 99" LJFL.

FEDERAL

Federal Atlantic (3–200 nm) — SAFMC

Catch & releaseCatch & release only

Minimum: 99″ LJFL (lower jaw to fork)

HMS Federal: catch & release strongly preferred. If retained, 99" LJFL min. HMS Angling permit required. Each landing must be reported to NOAA within 24 hr.

BAHAMAS

Bahamas — Department of Marine Resources

Catch & releaseCatch & release only

CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY. Circle hooks required. No gaffing, no removing from water if possible. Bahamas Sport Fishing Permit + 6-line / 3-hook vessel max.

Bahamas has been one of the most aggressive billfish-conservation jurisdictions since 2010. Tournament fish are tagged & released.

GA_ATLANTIC

Georgia — State waters (0–3 nm) · GA DNR

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Minimum: 99″ LJFL (lower jaw to fork)

HMS permit.

Georgia blue marlin: HMS rules.

TX_GULF

Texas — State waters (0–9 nm) · TPWD

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Minimum: 131″ TL (total length)

TX uses TL (131" TL). Federal HMS rule 99" LJFL applies.

Texas blue marlin: 131" TL state.

STATE

All Florida — State + Federal

Permit requiredPermit required

Minimum: 99″ LJFL (lower jaw to fork)

Requires NOAA HMS Angling permit. 99" LJFL min. Combined billfish/spearfish limit of 1 per vessel per trip. Must be reported to NOAA within 24h.

STATE

FL Atlantic — State waters (0–3 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 1 / angler / day
Minimum: 99″ LJFL (lower jaw to fork)

HMS permit required federal. Subject to 250 annual US landings cap.

FL Atlantic blue marlin: 99" LJFL.

STATE

FL Gulf — State waters (0–9 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 1 / angler / day
Minimum: 99″ LJFL (lower jaw to fork)

HMS permit federal.

FL Gulf blue marlin: 99" LJFL.

NC_ATLANTIC

North Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · NCDMF

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Minimum: 99″ LJFL (lower jaw to fork)

HMS permit.

NC blue marlin: 99" LJFL.

SC_ATLANTIC

South Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · SCDNR

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Minimum: 99″ LJFL (lower jaw to fork)

HMS permit.

SC blue marlin: 99" LJFL.

LA_GULF

Louisiana — State waters (0–3 nm) · LDWF

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Minimum: 99″ LJFL (lower jaw to fork)

HMS permit.

Louisiana blue marlin: 99" LJFL.