Blue Water Marlin Trolling
Trolling skirted lures and rigged baits through the warm blue water of the Coral Sea and along Australia's east coast continental shelf edge in pursuit of black and blue marlin. The Great Barrier Reef and Cairns region are world-renowned marlin destinations, particularly during the October to December spawning run.
Target Species
Fishing Locations
- • Cavalli Islands
- • Cairns Marlin Alley
- • Lizard Island Grounds
- • Osprey Reef (Coral Sea)
- • Twofold Bay
- • Seaway / Gold Coast Canyon
- • Agincourt Reef
- • Port Stephens Canyon
- • Sydney Offshore FADs & Canyon
- • Mayor Island (Tuhua)
Fishing Tips
- 1
Troll between 8 and 12 knots and vary speed slightly — a consistent mid-range speed of 9–10 knots suits both skirted lures and rigged baits and covers the most ground efficiently.
- 2
Run a 5-lure spread: two short corner lures, two long outrigger lures, and a straight-back teaser. The teaser draws fish up to the strike zone without competing for hook-ups.
- 3
Always confirm the 'double line' knot strength before setting the spread; the final few wraps on the reel experience the most shock load during a head-shake from a heavy fish.
- 4
Watch your sounder for the 26 °C isotherm or blue–green colour change in the water — marlin concentrate at temperature and colour breaks, not just depth.
- 5
During a long fight, reduce drag once the fish starts sounding and ease it back only as the fish surfaces — over-pressuring a tired marlin near the boat is when tackle and leaders snap.
Gear Setup
Black Marlin
- Rod
- PE12–15, 5.5–6ft stand-up or chair trolling rod (80–130lb class)
- Reel
- 80W+ overhead lever drag (Penn International 80VSW, Shimano Tiagra 80W)
- Main Line
- PE12–15 (130lb braid or 80–130lb mono)
- Leader
- 400lb single-strand wire or 600lb monofilament
- Lures / Terminal
- Skirted trolling lures 9–14 inch (Pakula, Black Bart, RJ Lures) — black/red, purple/black, pink/white
- Drag Setting
- 20–30kg strike drag (25–35% of line class)
IGFA 80lb class the gold standard; fighting chair essential for large fish
Blue Marlin
- Rod
- PE8–12, 5.5–6ft trolling rod (50–80lb class)
- Reel
- 50W overhead lever drag (Penn International 50VSW, Shimano Tiagra 50W)
- Main Line
- PE8–12 (80lb braid or 50–80lb mono)
- Leader
- 200–400lb monofilament or single-strand wire
- Lures / Terminal
- Skirted lures 6–12 inch, large bibbed minnows (Halco, Nomad DTX)
- Drag Setting
- 12–18kg strike drag