Innholdsfortegnelse for The Best Of Big Game 2026 i Marlin

Marlin’s Photo of the Year contest brings together both seasoned professionals and passionate amateurs from across the globe, all united by their love for big-game fishing, the ocean and its inhabitants, and the art of capturing them with a lens. From explosive fights to powerful boat shots, the contest showcases the unforgettable moments that define our sport and the people who live it. This year’s competition once again delivered an incredible showcase of talent, with hundreds of breathtaking entries submitted from every corner of the world. After two rounds of frenzied public voting and thousands of votes cast, one remarkable image rose to the top, earning its photographer the title of 2025 Marlin Photo of the Year and an all-expense-paid fishing adventure to Crocodile Bay Resort in Costa Rica. What…

No matter how many different tournaments I attend, there’s always something special about heading to the Bahamas each spring for Skip’s Tournaments. Winter is over, the South Florida sailfish season has ended, and Boat Harbour Marina comes alive. It’s officially marlin tournament season. I get fired up just thinking about it. I love walking those docks lined with meticulous fishing machines, good friends and familiar faces mixed with legends like John Bayliss, Pat Healey and Paul Spencer, along with renowned captains, crews and industry leaders who represent the very best of our sport. It’s as much a big-game homecoming as it is a tournament—and that’s whatmakes it so special. But that’s not to discount the caliber of the event itself. Skip’s Tournaments are invitation-only, a privilege reserved for a select…

I still remember how amazing Bermuda looked the first time I ever visited the country. The white limestone roofs peppered throughout the terrain appeared to glow as we caught sight of the island that morning. Going through the rock walls as we came into St. George’s Harbor felt like stepping back in time to pirate days. I couldn’t help but imagine what it must have been like sailing upon this island hundreds of years ago, with tropicbirds whirling around the sky as the smell of canon fire wafted across the air. If you made it past the canons, you still had to sail your way through reefs with no charts to navigate by. I can only imagine those captains way back then were just as happy as I was toarrive…

In 1973, while on his honeymoon in Andros Island, Jim Motsko observed money changing hands, literally in brown paper bags, at the conclusion of a local billfish tournament. Motsko, an experienced mate, loved the idea of a fishing tournament but wasn’t interested in handling the side bets. He wondered about creating a tournament with a fixed entry fee and a large, guaranteed purse as the enticement to participate. At that moment, the idea for the White Marlin Open was born. Motsko returned to his home in Ocean City, Maryland, and, along with his new wife and cousin, began to organize and publicize the first annual $20,000 White Marlin Open to be held in late summer of 1974. Fifty-seven boats entered that year, and questions swirled as to whether the winner…

Like the fisheries and tides that shape them, biggame tournaments ebb and flow over time. New formats emerge, leadership changes hands, and entire regions rise or fade in prominence as the sport continues to evolve. That’s part of what makes tournament fishing so dynamic. It never stands still. And while some events earn their place on the world stage through sheer size, history or record-breaking payouts, many anglers’ favorite tournaments are far more personal. For some, it’s a home-port event they’ve fished for decades; for others, it’s the one week each year when lifelong friends reunite on the dock, win or lose. These loyalties run deep, often immune to the size of the purse, the number of boats in the fleet, or even the bite itself. Fortunately, we live in…

Before beginning this endeavor to identify the top destinations in the world for The Best of BigGame annual issue, we knew it would stir debate—but that’s half the fun. Ask 10 serious anglers for their bucket-list locales and you’ll likely get 10 different answers, each backed by conviction, passion and experience. So, we asked ourselves: What truly earns a spot on a big-game bucket list? With decades of combined experience traveling, fishing, and learning from some of the best captains and crews in the world, we narrowed it down to three defining criteria. First and foremost, the fishing: A premier bucket-list destination must offer nearly year-round access to large billfish, exceptional numbers or a combination of both—and it needs something that sets it apart from anywhere else on Earth. Second,…

Costa Rica’s Pacific coastline is among the most consistent and biodiverse big-game fisheries in the world. Stretching from the sunlit shores of Guanacaste to the rainforest-clad fjords of the Osa Peninsula, each destination offers its own blend of angling, natural beauty and cultural charm. Here, fishing is just the beginning—the cuisine, wildlife and warmth of the communities transform each trip into something unforgettable. Across this rugged coast, a consistent cast of offshore predators defines the fishery. Seven iconic gamefish set the tone: blue marlin, black marlin, striped marlin, Pacific sailfish, yellowfin tuna, dorado and wahoo. Add roosterfish—an inshore prize that Costa Rica delivers with remarkable regularity—and you have the complete lineup. A determined angler can pursue them all, though each region has a defining species and season. Presented north to…

On the Pacific side of Panama, biggame sport fishing began in the 1930s. Sport-fishing vessels set off from Panama City to visit the Perlas Islands in search of sailfish and the ultimate quarry, the black marlin. In 1942, S. KipFarrington wrote in his book Pacific Game Fishing about the incredible black marlin fishing this region offered. Farrington also noted the excellent sailfishing and inshore fishing in the area. This summary of the sport-fishing potential on the Pacific coast of Panama is still relevant today. From Piñas Bay in the southeast to Coiba and farther west toward Costa Rica, the inshore and offshore fishing are consistently good throughout the year. Typically, the dry season runs January to April. From May to November, count on rain. Even so, the fish keep biting.…

When it comes to bluewater sport fishing, few places compare with the Outer Banks of North Carolina. More than the fishing, there is a unique culture born from a rich history centered around boatbuilding, long-standing tournaments and a strong tie to the sea. What happens in this quaint, relatively difficult-toaccess section of eastern North Carolina influences offshore sport fishing all over the world. Does this sound like an exaggeration? It’s not. There are the boats of Wanchese—Spencer, Bayliss, Ritchie Howell, Scarborough and others. Jarrett Bay, Winters and Hatteras are right down the road. There are the tournaments. The Big Rock is by far the largest, taking place in Morehead City every June. Pirate’s Cove is in Manteo. There are the Hatteras Marlin Club and others. Then there are the crews…

Baja California Sur is a land of contrasts, where desert mountains meet the Pacific in a sweep of wild beauty. Over the decades I’ve spent exploring this peninsula, I’ve watched two very different fisheries rise to prominence: Magdalena Bay and Cabo San Lucas. Each has evolved in its own way, with Mag Bay remaining remote and largely untouched, and Cabo transforming into a bustling international destination. Yet both continue to provide some of the finest sport-fishing opportunities found anywhere in the world. Mag Bay’s famed striped marlin fishery is set against a backdrop of mangroves and unspoiled coastline. Cabo, meanwhile, is supported by modern marinas, luxury resorts, and an energy that extends from the docks into the night. Different in character but equal in allure, these neighboring destinations are two…

Like every season before it, 2025 brought an unforgettable mix of triumphs, challenges and defining moments that will be remembered long after the final lines are reeled in. Records fell. New names joined the ranks of the sport’s elite. Years of dedication, innovation and hard work culminated in those rare, course-shifting moments that remind us why big-game fishing continues to captivate us like nothing else. From the docks of Kona to the billfish-rich waters of the Caribbean and beyond, the year delivered stories that elevated the sport and the people who shape it. Yet 2025 was also marked by loss. We said goodbye to too many of our heroes and our friends—men and women whose passion, mentorship and pioneering spirit helped define this sport across generations. Their legacies endure in…

Can one fish change the trajectory of your life? For Capt. Nick Durham—a towering yet affable Aussie who runs the charter boat Tantrum out of Kona’s Honokohau Harbor—the answer is a resounding yes. The fish in question was a 958-pound blue marlin caught by Durham’s wife, Alex, during her second trip to Kona in 2013. Not only did that fish set the 130-pound-class women’s world record at the time, but it also inspired the Durhams to uproot from Australia and start a new life together in Kona some six years later. “Kona had always been a fascinating place for me, not only because of its fishing, but because of its lure-making history,” Durham says. “Even as a teenager, I had this obsession with making lures, and Kona is where the…

What began decades ago as loose gatherings of passionate club members vying for bragging rights has evolved into a global industry worth millions—if not billions—of dollars. Today, competitive big-game fishing stands as one of the sport’s greatest spectacles. Just scroll through Marlin’s annual tournament calendar online and you’ll quickly realize there’s rarely a weekend without an event happening somewhere in the world. And good luck finding an open weekend at all during peak tournaments months. With no shortage of opportunities to compete, the real question becomes: Which tournaments truly stand above the rest? Because while there’s no shortage of events to choose from, not all tournaments are created equal. To answer that, we took a closer look at the qualities that define what we consider the very best big-game tournaments…

There’s no place on Earth quite like Cabo San Lucas in October. At the tip of the Baja California peninsula, where desert cliffs tumble into the Pacific and the Sea of Cortez, the natural beauty is as striking as the fishing. Stark mountains frame turquoise waters, and Cabo’s bustling marina comes alive with the sights and sounds of a culture that blends rich Mexican tradition with a worldclass fishing heritage. Add in the festive atmosphere of mariachis, street vendors, beachside cantinas, and internationalanglers swapping stories, and you have a setting unlike any other in sport fishing. Against this backdrop unfolds the Bisbee’s Black & Blue, the oldest, largest and richest marlin tournament in the world. Known simply as the “Super Bowl of Sport Fishing,” the Black & Blue has been…

It’s not the first-place jackpot, which is modest compared to other tournaments. It’s not the number of fish that are caught, although those numbers are considerable. And it’s certainly not the promotional models or provocative dancers wearing minimal attire, neither of which you will find in this family-friendly environment. So, what is it that makes the Los Sueños Signature Triple Crown one of the most prestigious and ambitious in the world? I’ve been photographing this tournament for the last decade, and I can tell you that the Triple Crown is worthy of its reputation and esteem. On the smaller side, the tournament averages around 40 boats for each leg of the three-part series, occurring in January, February and March of each year. Open only to property owners at Los Sueños,…

On a warm summer day in 1991, Dick Weber—then president and owner of South Jersey Marina—unveiled an ambitious plan for what he called “the mother of all marlin tournaments.” Weber had a knack for producing first-class events. In the 1980s, his Marlin Mardi Gras was the first East Coast tournament to guarantee a six-figure purse, paired with lavish dockside hospitality and a blacktie awards ceremony at an Atlantic City casino owned by a then-little-known developer named Donald Trump. By the early 1990s, Weber wanted something bigger. Offshore tournaments rarely offered more than $50,000 in prize money, so he set out to create a marquee event that combined style, serious payouts and top-level competition. In 1992, the Mid-Atlantic $500,000 was born. It drew 131 boats, paid out just over $1 million,…

New Zealand is famous for its big fish, but here’s the twist most of the globe has missed: It’s also home to the world’s largest billfish tournament—measured not by purse, but by number of teams. The Kubota Billfish Classic has quietly surged past some of the sport’s most storied events, drawing a jaw-dropping 470 boats in 2025. For context, the mighty White Marlin Open hosted 449 boats in 2005, the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament fielded a record 302 boats in 2024, and the Bisbee’s Black & Blue drew 185 boats in 2005—massive by any standard, but still short of Kubota’s trailer-boat armada. Whitianga, a small, sun-splashed township on the North Island’s eastern seaboard, becomes a floating carnival each March as the Classic takes over the bay and everything around…

In the world of blue marlin fishing, few places combine accessibility, adventure and consistency like Cape Verde. Just off the coast of West Africa, these desertlike islands were once considered remote and difficult to reach. Today, they have become a premier big-game angling destination, offering reliable shots at trophy marlin alongside a growing tourism scene. What draws anglers to fly so far for so long? The answer is simple: big blue marlin, and plenty of them. While other Atlantic hotspots might produce one or two fish a week, Cape Verde routinely delivers multiple shots a day, including fish topping 800 pounds. The fishing effort typically concentrates along the leeward sides of São Vicente, Santo Antão, São Nicolau and the famous San Pedro point. Here, calmer waters offer consistent action throughout…

Few places in the world can match Guatemala’s Pacific coast for sheer numbers of billfish, consistent action, and the overall quality of the sport-fishing experience. Since the late 1990s, this fishery has held its place at the very top of the big-game fishing world, delivering not only extraordinary numbers of Pacific sailfish, but also healthy shots at blue marlin, striped marlin, dorado and yellowfin tuna. A LEGENDARY FISHERY Guatemala’s Pacific sailfish average 60 to 80 pounds, with larger specimens frequently encountered. They are aggressive on the bait and put on unforgettable aerial displays in the calm, protected seas for which this coast is famous. Blue marlin in the 200- to 400-pound range regularly appear in the spread, with top boats encountering five to 10 on the right days. Offshore, anglers…

Stretching along Australia’s northeastern coastline for more than 1,400 miles, the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is far more than the planet’s largest living structure. It is a world-class sport-fishing destination, producing more grander black marlin than anywhere else on Earth while offering anglers a diverse array of inshore and offshore opportunities. A NATURAL WONDER The GBR is composed of nearly 3,000 individual coral reefs and more than 900 islands, from tiny sand cays to rugged peaks such as Lizard Island. Together, these reefs hold roughly 10 percent of all the world’s coral, covering an area of 133,000 square miles. The outer reef sits along the continental shelf drop-off, where depths plunge to more than 1,000 fathoms before rising again on seamounts. From Cairns and Cooktown—the most practical jumping-off points—anglers can…

In a cycle that has come full circle, the islands of the Bahamas are once again a popular—and prolific—big-game destination. The early precedents are many. From the notable catches of Kip Farrington, Ernest Hemingway and others to the epic runs of giant bluefin tuna off Cat Cay to the vintage Bacardi Rum Billfish Tournament and Bertram/Hatteras Shootouts, the Bahamas played a key role in billfishing history. The first tournament I ever covered for Marlin was the 1990 Bacardi, which had a huge fleet and big pot on the line. I still remember wandering around the since-burned Compleat Angler bar, Kalik in hand, checking out all the photos of Papa Hemingway and friends, typically at the scales with big fish. To Have and Have Not was reportedly written in part there, so…

There’s something deeply transformative abouttraveling to chase fish in far-off waters. Each destination leaves its mark—but certain places call to us again and again. The truth is, fisheries evolve constantly, currents shift, bait disappears, and new political regimes can turn a once-dream locale into a fleeting memory. You won’t see Venezuela or Ascension here—not because the fishing isn’t world-class (it absolutely is), but because for most traveling anglers, they’re simply not fishable right now. I think we can all agree that a time when we can visit those locations can’t come soon enough. The bottom line is this: the destinations that follow may not have made the “big list” this year, but that doesn’t mean they’re second tier. Far from it. These are all world-class fisheries that fall just outside…

In the ever-evolving world of big-game fishing, each year brings a tide of unforgettable triumphs, enduring legacies and poignant farewells. From record-breaking catches and groundbreaking conservation efforts to the passing of legends who shaped our sport, 2025 reminded us why this community is so deeply bound by passion, respect and tradition. As we look back, we honor the moments—and the people—that defined a remarkable year on the water. JAN SHARKED ACT INTRODUCED On January 3, 2025, the U.S. House introduced the SHARKED Act to address surging shark-angler interactions, especially along the southeastern Atlantic coast. The bill establishes a task force of shark experts, fisheries managers and stakeholders to identify research priorities, develop strategies to reduce shark depredation of hooked fish, and enhance communication across the sport-fishing community and federal agencies.…

This year, alongside the launch of our new annual guide that you’re hope-fully enjoying, we’ve also introduced Marlin’s Person of the Year. We created this honor to recognize an individual whose work has made a clear, measurable impact on the sport, whether through angling achievement, product innovation, advocacy, conservation, or some artful combination of all the above. It’s not just about being visible; it’s about moving the sport forward in a meaningful way. This year, we’re proud to announce Patrick Healey as Marlin’s Person of the Year. A household name in the big-game fishing industry who hardly needs an introduction, Healey continues to produce the preeminent sport-fishing boat on the market at Viking, while its Valhalla line has elevated the center-console arena to a new level. Beyond running the most…

Every year around the second week in June, thousands flock to North Carolina’s Crystal Coast. Some visit as spectators, to enjoy the weeklong celebration of Carteret County’s long-standing sport-fishing tradition and catch a glimpse of the fish of a lifetime. Others come as participants in search of that very fish, one with a seven-figure payday attached. The Big Rock’s humble beginnings date back to 1957, when a red wagon filled with silver dollars was awarded to Mary Z for landing the first blue marlin, a 143-pounder, caught by the local fleet. A hundred people gathered to see that historic catch, an offshore fish that would have been an almost mythical sight at the time. The Fabulous Fishermen’s Club Tournament later became an annual contest that eventually evolved into the Big…

There are plenty of reasons to visit the Mississippi Gulf coast. First settled in 1699, Biloxi is framed by grand Southern oaks draped in Spanish moss and lined with historic Victorian homes guarding the shoreline. Today, the region is known for its golf courses, fresh sea-food restaurants, lively casinos, and picturesque barrier islands just miles off-shore. For anglers, it offers something even more special: one of the quickest runs to the blue marlin grounds in the Gulf of Mexico. From Point Cadet Marina, it is only 12 miles to the gateway to the Dog Keys and Ship Island passes, and beyond them lies a fishing paradise where history, hospitality and fiercecompetition blend seamlessly. It was that unique mix of Southern charm, world-class fishing and casino nightlife that inspired Bobby Carter…

I’ve been fortunate to fish billfish tournaments across the globe since an early age, but Costa Rica has always held a special place in my memory. The bountiful fishery off its Pacific coast, framed by jungle-clad mountains and warm ocean swells, is what fishing dreams are made of. Add in the Pelagic Rockstar Offshore Tournament—Central America’s richest sport-fishing event—and you have the perfect storm of adrenaline, camaraderie and spectacle. This year’s ninth edition of the Rockstar was one for the books. Over two electric fishing days, January 10-11, the fleet released an astounding 2,425 billfish—sailfish, blue marlin, black marlin and striped marlin—setting new records for conservation-driven tournaments worldwide. Day 1 alone produced 1,371 releases, averaging nearly 2.7 fish per minute. It was a jaw-dropping display of what makes Costa Rica…

Recognized as Florida’s official saltwater fish, the Atlantic sailfish has long stirred the passion of offshore anglers, challenging them to prove their skill, knowledge and consistency in a highly competitive catch-and-release fishery. That enduring pursuit of excellence has fueled one of sport fishing’s most thrilling circuits: the Quest for the Crest sailfish series. On this high-stakes trail, the sport’s finest center-consoles and battle-tested sport-fishers, guided by veteran captains and seasoned crews, vie for the coveted burgundy jackets emblazoned with the sailfish crest—a badge of honor earned by only the best. Unlike a single tournament where luck and timing might decide the winner, the Quest rewards true consistency. Spanning three events at the height of sailfish season, every release, point and choice carries weight. A slow start in January can haunt…

For nearly a century, overseas anglers have been drawn to New Zealand’s waters in pursuit of record-setting catches of striped marlin, broadbill swordfish and yellowtail kingfish. In the 1920s, legendary American author and angler Zane Grey made several pilgrimages Down Under, immortalizing the extraordinary fishery in his books—most famously Angler’s Eldorado—and in countless articles. Remarkably, one of Grey’s boats, Otehei, still plies the Bay of Islands 100 years later. A glance through the latest IGFA World Record Game Fishes publication reaffirms the strength and diversity of the New Zealand fishery. STRIPED MARLIN The current all-tackle record of 224.1 kg (494 pounds) was set in 1986 by Bill Boniface, fishing out of Tutukaka. Of the 23 conventional-tackle world records for striped marlin, an astounding 18 were caught in New Zealand waters. The…

For many years, I traveled to and from the Southern Caribbean from the East Coast of the United States, always making it a point to stop in the Dominican Republic and spend a couple of days fishing. It is a tough location to pass up. For years I had heard about the amazing blue marlin fishing on the FADs that seem to hold numbers of blue marlin unlike anywhere else on Earth. Add in the numbers of white marlin in the spring off Cap Cana and the mix of sailfish and white marlin showing up on the FADs, and the DR has gone from a blue marlin fishing paradise to grand slam central. What sets the Dominican Republic apart is how it is becoming a year-round billfishery. It is truly…

Flying into the Azores is an experience that sets the tone for the upcoming adventure. On approach to Ponta Delgada, the capital of São Miguel Island, the first glimpse of lights glittering against the volcanic landscape feels like entering another world. At dawn, the hillsides glow emerald green, stitched with cobblestone streets and centuries-old buildings. My advice: Book a window seat. From above, you’ll see quilted pastures dotted with dairy cows, volcanic craters and steaming calderas, and the deepest sapphire waters of the North Atlantic stretching to the horizon. It is also home to some of the best blue marlin fishing on the planet. For me, it waslove at first sight. Set some 900 miles west of Portugal, the Azores are nine volcanic islands rising from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a…

Straddling the equator on Africa’s stunning east coast, Kenya offers one of the most diverse and exciting billfisheries in the world. With five species of billfish available—sailfish, blue marlin, black marlin, striped marlin and broadbill swordfish—anglers here are in rare company. Few destinations offer a legitimate shot at a billfish grand slam, and fewer still offer a realistic chance at a super grand slam, or even the elusive fantasy slam, where all five species are caught in a single day. For the traveling angler in pursuit of that next-level achievement, Kenya is truly one of the sport’s final frontiers. The fishing season runs from August through March, coinciding with the region’s Kusi and Kaskazi monsoon cycles. Early in the season, the waters are alive with sailfish and black marlin, followed…

Kailua-Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii, is rightly considered the Pacific blue marlin capital of the world. Anglers consider it a true miracle—one of the few places where these apex predators roam close to shore, are available year-round, and regularly reach incredible sizes. Remarkably, a “grander” marlin has been landed here in every month of the year. Beyond its legendary fishing, Kailua-Kona is a charming seaside village, often described with a wink as “a quiet little drinking town with a fishing problem.” Once the royal retreat of Hawaiian kings, it has been a place to catch giants for more than a thousand years. THE FISHERY Fishing in Kona means setting your lines five minutes from the harbor entrance in at least 200 fathoms of water. The whole island is…

When creating an annual issue themed as the best in big-game fishing, with a focus on exploring the world’s best bucket-list destinations, we’d be grossly remiss if we didn’t cover the ongoing adventures of the Bad Company World Tour. Simply put, there’s no other sport-fishing program on Earth quite like it. Founded and led by Anthony Hsieh—the selfmade entrepreneur behind LoanDepot and one of modern angling’s most recognizable personalities—Bad Company has redefined what’s possible in the sport. What began decades ago in Southern California has evolved into the largest private sport-fishing operation in history—a moving armada of meticulously outfitted vessels spanning the globe in pursuit of the ocean’s biggest marlin. Since the launch of the World Tour in 2022, the program has logged an incredible 391 days on the water,…