At the first mention of fly fishing, many folks will likely envision a streamside angler bedecked in rubber waders attempting to cajole a cunning trout out from under a rock using a small tied fly the size of an insect. But with the growing popularity of big game fly fishing for species like tuna, dorado and marlin, that bucolic image is beginning to rapidly change.

The largest of these species; striped, blue and black marlin are of growing interest to fly anglers who are looking for a greater challenge than even the most ravenous freshwater fish could ever provide.

Marlin are big, bad and near the very top of the food chain in oceans around the world. Only very large sharks and killer whales are capable of taking one down.

As you might expect, 10 to 12 weight outfits are a must when going after any large gamefish, and marlin are certainly no exception. Although catching a smaller white or striped marlin on 8 weight gear can be fun. As far as streamers go, follow the same rule that you would in freshwater: match the hatch. Feathers incorporating blue, white and green in their color scheme are probably the most universally effective because they mimic the appearance of most saltwater forage fish. Solid white and pink/white combinations that look similar to squid are also effective in provoking strikes from hungry billfish. In addition to those types of traditional billfish streamers, feathered poppers between 7 and 10 inches in length can also be just as efficient.  

Despite the often considerable effort involved in getting the marlin to take your lure, it can sometimes be one of the easiest aspects of actually getting the fish to the boat.

Nothing is quite as exciting or nerve wracking as witnessing your marlin begin tail walking across the surface immediately after being hooked. The real test comes when the fish sits stationary in the water and begins shaking its head trying to lose the hook, which it will sometimes accomplish. And if that situation cannot be quickly be reversed by the collective efforts of both the angler and captain, it is likely that the if the fish remains hooked, the tippet will break.

In order to draw marlin within casting range, it is a standard practice to troll teasers behind the boat to help attract the attention of roving billfish. Many anglers will run out a daisy chain of hook free plastics that simulate small squid or baitfish. Although it can take some practice to execute correctly, the most recent and effective technique for accomplishing this function is using what is referred to as a dredge. This is simply a light spreader bar of subsurface teasers made from clear vinyl strips that sport either printed or holographic images of forage fish; thus creating your own, private imitation bait ball when it is pulled behind your boat.

Successfully casting a fly in front of a tailing marlin, feeling the pickup and then experiencing the ensuing battle involved in eventually bringing the fish to the boat can offer the thrill of a lifetime …one than many saltwater anglers never get to experience. This is why it is vitally important to put forth your best effort to make sure that all billfish are quickly and humanely released as soon as possible no matter how you may have happened to catch them. Fulfilling that simple responsibility will help to ensure that marlin will be gobbling up our flies for generations to come.