CHASING THE WORLD’S LARGEST MARLIN

“For anglers that are game, there is nothing to compare with the excitement and spectacle of a large marlin jumping just off the transom”

Whatever the species, to catch an outrageously large specimen is always exciting for an angler — whether that’s a 30kg mulloway, 12kg snapper, or a 100kg tuna. Such an experience will most certainly make their day and will probably be something they discuss with friends for the rest of their lives.

However, for anglers that are game, there is nothing to compare with the excitement and spectacle of a large marlin jumping just off the transom, or swimming close alongside, glowing in glorious purple and lavender colours as you reach over to set it free. These magnificent creatures are aweinspiring in any size, but they are truly breathtaking when they reach the length of a car and the weight of a bull.

THREE SPECIES OF GIANTS

There are three species of marlin that grow to enormous size: Pacific blue marlin, Atlantic blue marlin, and black marlin. All of them grow to more than 600kg, and perhaps more than 900kg.

The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) is the official keeper