billfish

White Marlin

Kajikia albida

Often mixed with sailfish on lighter tackle in the same water.

Preferred water temp70–80°F

Preferred depth100–600 ft

Peak monthsJun, Jul, Aug

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 26, 2026. Confirm with the linked FWC / NOAA source before keeping a fish.

Showing 11 of 11 regulations

STATE

All Florida — State + Federal

Permit requiredPermit required

Minimum: 66″ LJFL (lower jaw to fork)

Requires NOAA HMS Angling permit. 66" LJFL min. Combined billfish/spearfish limit of 1 per vessel per trip. Must be reported within 24h.

AL_GULF

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

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Minimum: 66″ LJFL (lower jaw to fork)

HMS permit.

Alabama white marlin: 66" LJFL.

GA_ATLANTIC

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

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Minimum: 66″ LJFL (lower jaw to fork)

HMS permit.

Georgia white marlin: HMS.

TX_GULF

Texas — State waters (0–9 nm) · TPWD

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Minimum: 86″ TL (total length)

TX uses TL (86" TL).

Texas white marlin: 86" TL state.

FEDERAL

Federal Atlantic (3–200 nm) — SAFMC

Catch & releaseCatch & release only

Minimum: 66″ LJFL (lower jaw to fork)

HMS Federal: catch & release strongly preferred. If retained, 66" LJFL min. HMS Angling permit required. Each landing must be reported to NOAA within 24 hr.

STATE

FL Gulf — State waters (0–9 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Minimum: 66″ LJFL (lower jaw to fork)

HMS permit federal.

FL Gulf white marlin: 66" LJFL.

NC_ATLANTIC

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

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Minimum: 66″ LJFL (lower jaw to fork)

HMS permit.

NC white marlin: 66" LJFL.

STATE

FL Atlantic — State waters (0–3 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 1 / angler / day
Minimum: 66″ LJFL (lower jaw to fork)

HMS permit federal. 250-fish annual cap.

FL Atlantic white marlin: 66" LJFL.

BAHAMAS

Bahamas — Department of Marine Resources

Catch & releaseCatch & release only

CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY. Circle hooks required. Same general billfish rules as blue marlin.

SC_ATLANTIC

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

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Minimum: 66″ LJFL (lower jaw to fork)

HMS permit.

SC white marlin: 66" LJFL.

LA_GULF

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

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Minimum: 66″ LJFL (lower jaw to fork)

HMS permit.

Louisiana white marlin: 66" LJFL.