White marlin

US fish and state coverage

Tetrapterus albidus

A state link is a recorded source association, not a catch guarantee or confirmation that targeting is legal. Check current regulations with the responsible state agency.

Peak months
Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov
Typical depth
Typical size
Up to 9.5 feet (180 pounds) Offshore waters Uses its bill to stun fast-moving fishes, then turns to consume them; spawning procedures unknown; ranges throughout the Atlantic and Caribbean; feeds on squid and pelagic fishes
Catch minimum
National record

See state records · Browse all fishing records

Biology, seasons and size reflect the canonical source record, which may contain Florida context. They are not state-specific guidance for every linked state. Missing fields remain unfilled.

Overview

Habitat summary
Offshore waters
Water type
saltwater

When to fish

Peak months
Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov
Good months
Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov
Seasonality
Offshore waters Uses its bill to stun fast-moving fishes, then turns to consume them; spawning procedures unknown; ranges throughout the Atlantic and Caribbean; feeds on squid and pelagic fishes State Record: 161 lb, caught near Miami Beach Recreational Regulations Image Credit: © Diane Rome Peebles Body dark blue to brown, fading to a silvery-white belly Dorsal fin dark blue with noticeable black spots Tips of first dorsal, pectoral and first anal fins are rounded Upper jaw elongated into a spear shape Scales imbedded with a single sharp point Lateral line curves over the pectoral fin Similar Species: Blue marlin, M. · FWC Where-to-Fish best times (regional): Summer, fall; Summer-fall; Late summer; Spring-fall; Summer

Where to fish

Habitat summary
Offshore waters
Habitat zone
offshore
Fishing zone
offshore

How to catch

Techniques
troll light-tackle billfish spreads

Bait & lures

Preferred bait
rigged ballyhoo
Preferred lures
skirted trolling lures

Size

Typical size
Up to 9.5 feet (180 pounds) Offshore waters Uses its bill to stun fast-moving fishes, then turns to consume them; spawning procedures unknown; ranges throughout the Atlantic and Caribbean; feeds on squid and pelagic fishes

Records

Recorded catches retain their source scope; state and world catches are not national records.

state record evidence

Source context: Florida

Record type
florida state
Record weight lb
161.06
Record location
Miami Beach
Record date
03/20/1938
Record angler
L. F. Hooper
Record catch text
161.06 lb; by L. F. Hooper; on 03/20/1938; at Miami Beach

Browse sourced catches for this species

Related states & places

Place links are planning context, not proof of local species presence. Florida city links marked local context follow existing directory relationships, not catch reports.

Source-linked directories

Real local listings currently cover Florida only. Boat-ramp, charter and creator links below follow existing Florida species relationships. Bait-shop links are city context only, not species-targeting evidence.

Boat ramps — Florida

Selected examples from 624 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida boat ramps directory

Bait shops — Florida

Selected examples from 419 source-linked city-context records.

Browse the Florida bait shops directory

Fishing creators — Florida

Selected examples from 5 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida fishing creators directory

Related species

Navigation links share a recorded scientific genus or a source state and water-type grouping. This is not a claim of identical habitat or legal targeting.

Source evidence by state

Legacy Florida source profiles

LoveToFish is a national fishing guide. Fish species coverage spans all 50 states. Ramp, charter, bait shop, and creator directories currently cover Florida. Verify current local regulations with the responsible agency.