OffshoreHookup
Blue marlin clearing the water in a full greyhound jump, deep blue ocean behind it

Blue Marlin SeasonEvery Port

Blue Marlin season across US offshore ports peaks Jun–Sep: that's when at least half of the 15 ports we track are at peak. August is the hottest, with 13 of 15 ports at peak. Fishable year-round somewhere across US offshore ports.

Bars: share of the 15 ports at peak (orange) and fishable (blue) each month. Number = ports at peak.

Gulf Coast6 ports

Blue Marlin in the Gulf →
Blue Marlin bite calendar by port, Gulf Coast
PortJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Destin, FLPeak Jun–SepOffOffFishableFishableFishablePeakPeakPeakPeakFishableOffOff
Galveston, TXPeak Jun–SepOffOffOffOffFishablePeakPeakPeakPeakFishableOffOff
Orange Beach, ALPeak Jun–SepOffOffFishableFishableFishablePeakPeakPeakPeakFishableFishableOff
Port Aransas, TXPeak Jul–OctOffOffOffOffFishableFishablePeakPeakPeakPeakFishableOff
South Padre Island, TXPeak May–SepOffOffOffFishablePeakPeakPeakPeakPeakFishableOffOff
Venice, LAPeak Jun–AugOffOffOffOffFishablePeakPeakPeakFishableFishableOffOff

Florida Atlantic & Keys1 port

Blue Marlin bite calendar by port, Florida Atlantic & Keys
PortJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Key West, FLPeak Sep–NovOffOffOffOffFishableFishableFishableFishablePeakPeakPeakOff

Carolinas4 ports

Blue Marlin off the Carolinas →
Blue Marlin bite calendar by port, Carolinas
PortJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Charleston, SCPeak May–JunOffOffOffOffPeakPeakFishableFishableFishableFishableOffOff
Hatteras, NCPeak Jun–AugOffOffOffOffFishablePeakPeakPeakFishableFishableOffOff
Morehead City, NCPeak Jun–AugOffOffOffOffOffPeakPeakPeakFishableOffOffOff
Oregon Inlet, NCPeak Jun–AugOffOffOffOffFishablePeakPeakPeakFishableFishableOffOff

Mid-Atlantic3 ports

Blue Marlin in the Mid-Atlantic →
Blue Marlin bite calendar by port, Mid-Atlantic
PortJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Cape May, NJPeak Jul–SepOffOffOffOffOffFishablePeakPeakPeakOffOffOff
Ocean City, MDPeak Jul–AugOffOffOffOffOffFishablePeakPeakFishableFishableOffOff
Virginia Beach, VAPeak Aug–SepOffOffOffOffFishableFishableFishablePeakPeakFishableOffOff

Pacific1 port

Blue Marlin bite calendar by port, Pacific
PortJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Kona, HIPeak Jun–OctFishableFishableFishableFishableFishablePeakPeakPeakPeakPeakFishableFishable

Where to run

Each port's primary offshore run, and its window for blue marlin. Tap a port for every run, regulation and source.

Florida

Destin

Peak Jun–SepFishable Mar–May, Oct
Primary runjust over 10 milesto 100-Fathom Curve
Texas

Galveston

Peak Jun–SepFishable May, Oct
Primary run40 miles or less in peak seasonto Summer billfish and pelagic water
Alabama

Orange Beach

Peak Jun–SepFishable Mar–May, Oct–Nov
Primary runabout 8-15 miles offshoreto Orange Beach artificial reef zone
Texas

Port Aransas

Peak Jul–OctFishable May–Jun, Nov
Primary runabout 35 milesto Bakers and Hospital Rock
Texas

South Padre Island

Peak May–SepFishable Apr, Oct
Primary runabout 13 miles northeast of the jettiesto RGV Reef
Louisiana

Venice

Peak Jun–AugFishable May, Sep–Oct
Primary runabout 20 miles off Southwest Passto Midnight Lump (Sackett Bank)
Florida

Key West

Peak Sep–NovFishable May–Aug
Primary runabout 6 milesto Outer reef (main ship channel)
South Carolina

Charleston

Peak May–JunFishable Jul–Oct
Primary runabout 60-65 milesto Georgetown Hole (Gulf Stream ledge)
North Carolina

Hatteras

Peak Jun–AugFishable May, Sep–Oct
Primary runabout 25 milesto Gulf Stream edge
North Carolina

Morehead City

Peak Jun–AugFishable Sep
Primary runabout 30 miles from Beaufort Inletto Gulf Stream
North Carolina

Oregon Inlet

Peak Jun–AugFishable May, Sep–Oct
Primary runabout 35 milesto Gulf Stream
New Jersey

Cape May

Peak Jul–SepFishable Jun
Primary runabout 15-25 milesto Mid-shore pot lines and debris
Maryland

Ocean City

Peak Jul–AugFishable Jun, Sep–Oct
Primary runabout 30 milesto Jackspot
Virginia

Virginia Beach

Peak Aug–SepFishable May–Jul, Oct
Primary runabout 13 milesto Chesapeake Light Tower
Hawaii

Kona

Peak Jun–OctFishable Nov–May
Primary runabout a quarter-mile from the harborto Kona ledge (trolling grounds)

How to fish it

Tackle class:80-130lb class conventional, two-speed lever drag, fighting harness and chair. The window gets you on the water; the rig gets the fish to the boat. Full breakdown on the blue marlin page.

Frequently asked

When is blue marlin season across US offshore ports?

Blue Marlin season across US offshore ports peaks Jun–Sep: that's when at least half of the 15 ports we track are at peak. August is the hottest, with 13 of 15 ports at peak. Fishable year-round somewhere across US offshore ports.

What is the best month for blue marlin across US offshore ports?

August. In August, 13 of the 15 ports we track are at peak: Destin, Galveston, Orange Beach, Port Aransas, South Padre Island, Venice, Hatteras, Morehead City, Oregon Inlet, Cape May, Ocean City, Virginia Beach, Kona.

Which US port has the longest blue marlin season?

Kona, HI: 12 fishable months on our calendar, peaking Jun–Oct.

What rig do you use for blue marlin?

80-130lb class conventional, two-speed lever drag, fighting harness and chair. Start with Blue Marlin Trolling Spread: Lure Geometry, Teasers, and the Hookup Sequence.

Where this comes from

Every window here is rolled up from the port calendars on this site, and each port page cites its sources. Peak means the port's sources call it the best stretch; fishable means the fish are around but not at their best. Water temperature and bait move these windows every year. Check state and federal regulations before you leave the dock. Not legal advice.