Marlin April/May 2024

Starting the first week of February, the sailfishing in South Florida went absolutely thermonuclear, thanks to a series of strong multiday cold fronts sweeping across the Sunshine State in rapid succession. The catch reports were staggering: boats were posting sailfish numbers like 37 for 46, 44 for 54, 36 for 50. A boat out of Key Largo had 65 releases in one day, while another let go 61 out of 80 bites. Judging by the amount of laundry on the riggers, there must not have been a sailfish release flag left to purchase in the entire state for weeks. Meanwhile, in Costa Rica, the first leg of the Los Sueños Signature Triple Crown in mid-January saw plenty of action, with 40 boats releasing 1,924 sails and nine blue marlin in…

editor@marlinmag.com IN MEMORIUM: TODD STALEY The Costa Rican sport-fishing scene lost one of its biggest advocates when Todd Staley passed away in early February after a lengthy illness. At the time of his death, Staley was communications director for FECOP, the country’s sport-fishing advocacy group with an impressive track record of success. But Staley’s impact goes back decades to his days on Florida’s west coast. A passionate angler, Staley and a close friend launched 12 Fathom Lures, named after the depths in Boca Grande Pass. He made his first trip to Costa Rica in the late 1980s and was later hired to manage the famed Rio Colorado Lodge. Staley also ran the Golfito Sailfish Rancho on the Pacific Coast before assuming the role as fishing director for the nearby Crocodile…

ABOVE THE RIM Black marlin are well known for their aerial acrobatics, notes photographer Hannes Ribbner, especially at the boat, where they tend to launch themselves vertically rather than horizontally as blue marlin typically do. This fish, caught by Kelly Brashear while fishing out of Tropic Star Lodge, went ballistic and cleared the horizon several times prior to release. It’s just one more reason that marlin fishing is so highly addictive. LOCATION Zane Grey Reef, Panama TECH SPECS CAMERA: Canon 1DX Mark II LENS: Canon 16-35mm Mark III ISO: 160 APERTURE: f/2.8 SPEED: 1/3200 sec…

Situated between Orlando and Palm Beach is the quiet seaside community of Fort Pierce, a bit off the beaten path and certainly far from the hustle and bustle of southeastern Florida. It’s probably not what you’d expect for tournament-winning angler Tony Huerta, who has amassed an impressive string of victories while fishing from North Carolina to the Bahamas and many points in between on his 1995 58-foot Paul Mann known as Lo Que Sea. While working full time in real estate development and as a restaurant owner, he still manages to fish nearly 100 days per year. His place in Fort Pierce—Little Jim’s Bait and Tackle—is the perfect barefoot beach dive, with great food, live music, a marina on site and, of course, a full-service tackle shop. M How did…

COSTA RICA Already having an excellent season for sailfish, look for an outstanding blue marlin bite on the seamounts 80 or more miles offshore. The yellowfin tuna fishing is also very good this year. TAHITI Hop aboard a long-range mothership in Papeete and explore the remote atolls for some incredible action. The mind-blowing scenery and diving are just a bonus. ISLAMORADA The swordfish action continues—both day and night—in one of the top destinations in the Florida Keys. THE BAHAMAS Spring starts the tournament season off in the Abacos, with several top billfish events on the horizon. The weather can be sporty, though. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC The local FADs will hold good numbers of smaller blues plus some white marlin, perfect for light-tackle fishing. CAPE VERDE The early-season reports from this Atlantic…

Fishing conditions proved favorable as the second leg of the Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series kicked off in late February. Sixty of the sport’s elite teams joined the three-inlet challenge, competing for their share of a $640,400 purse while also raising funds for The Billfish Foundation along the way. In addition to the substantial tournament purse, a Billfish Foundation-sponsored satellite tag was also awarded in the name of the tournament champions, contributing to the foundation’s ongoing research efforts. As the kickoff of the 21st annual Sailfish Challenge drew nearer, it was clear that a hot bite was indeed happening, although a shift in conditions just before the start had teams wondering if it would hold up or not. The action on Day One answered all questions and surpassed any…