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 1 of 11 regulations for Bahamas

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.