2024 BLACK MARLIN SEASON ROUND UP
The experience of battling a Black Marlin is often described as the ultimate test of angler versus fish – and there are only a few places in the world where they can be targeted with success. Anglers often have to face lengthy runs, or opt for mothership style charters to target Black Marlin. With Tropic Star approx. 4 miles from the world-famous Zane Grey Reef, our guests have the opportunity to target this elusive species with ease, all while enjoying a luxurious resort experience on land.
BY CAPT. RICHARD WHITE
The Black Marlin season this year was a wild ride, courtesy of El Niño and the resulting deviation from our expected seasonality. We witnessed swarms of Dorado from November through January, with a surprise visit extending into February in smaller numbers and sizes. Sailfish showed up in large numbers – from near the shoreline to 25 miles offshore, lingering until February – a welcomed sight indeed. December heralded the arrival of Black Marlin with promising numbers and impressive sizes, though not reaching our usual yearly highs. Nonetheless, anglers faced off against hefty fish, some exceeding 500 lbs. Typically an eight to twelve-week affair, this year’s Black Marlin season lasted around ten weeks, due to record high ocean temperatures caused by El Niño. The season, which ended up starting early in December and unfortunately concluding by mid-February, was in stark contrast to last season’s fifteen-week run that stretched into mid-March. The Blue Marlin bite in December was also notably subdued compared to previous years.
By mid-February, inshore fish like Cubera and grouper began their shallow water spawning season, treating us to spectacular sightings of big fish. The bays north and south of the lodge, as well as our own bay of Piñas, teemed with Cubera and Broomtail grouper, resulting in some of the most bountiful inshore catches we’ve seen in the last decade.
Throughout the season, El Niño kept our crews on their toes, throwing weekly curveballs with rapidly changing conditions. El Niño is a weather phenomenon that occurs when surface waters in the equatorial Pacific become warmer than average due to weaker-than-normal easterly trade winds. This year marked record ocean temperatures, reaching as high as 90 degrees on some days, leaving the fish lethargic. Fortunately, when northerly winds blew, cooler waters ensued, reviving the fishing scene with Black Marlin sightings. However, fluctuating temperatures and currents made for erratic conditions. Reports from other oceanic regions mirrored our experience, with some areas like California and the Azores enjoying exceptional fishing while places like Panama, Mozambique, and Australia struggled with the Black Marlin bite, making this season one of the slowest in recent memory worldwide.
But we’re not ones to back down from a challenge! Our captains adapted their tactics, resulting in some incredible catches throughout the season.
Here are just a few standout stories from our anglers:
The Schalldack family from Brazil injected lively energy into the lodge with their competitive spirit. Led by Marcus and Doretea, their sons Leonardo and Henrique dove into a family fishing tournament, with Henrique clinching the trophy with a 301lbs Black Marlin, narrowly surpassing his dad’s 300lbs catch. They also reeled in plenty of Sailfish, marking some memorable firsts for the family.
Heather and Luther, aka Quint, enjoyed a serene family vacation, accompanied by Heather’s parents, Joshua and Robin Berman. Despite the absence of Joshua and Robin, Quint and Heather made the most of their time, landing some impressive Sailfish and Dorado. Quint, now the son-in-law of an avid angler, boasted releasing a 500lbs+ Black Marlin, his first. Heather and Luther, aka Quint, enjoyed a serene family vacation, accompanied by Heather’s parents, Joshua and Robin Berman. Despite the absence of Joshua and Robin, Quint and Heather made the most of their time, landing some impressive Sailfish and Dorado. Quint, now the son-in-law of an avid angler, boasted releasing a 500lbs+ Black Marlin, his first.
The Schalldack family from Brazil injected lively energy into the lodge with their competitive spirit. Led by Marcus and Doretea, their sons Leonardo and Henrique dove into a family fishing tournament, with Henrique clinching the trophy with a 301lbs Black Marlin, narrowly surpassing his dad’s 300lbs catch. They also reeled in plenty of Sailfish, marking some memorable firsts for the family.
Heather and Luther, aka Quint, enjoyed a serene family vacation, accompanied by Heather’s parents, Joshua and Robin Berman. Despite the absence of Joshua and Robin, Quint and Heather made the most of their time, landing some impressive Sailfish and Dorado. Quint, now the son-in-law of an avid angler, boasted releasing a 500lbs+ Black Marlin, his first. Heather and Luther, aka Quint, enjoyed a serene family vacation, accompanied by Heather’s parents, Joshua and Robin Berman. Despite the absence of Joshua and Robin, Quint and Heather made the most of their time, landing some impressive Sailfish and Dorado. Quint, now the son-in-law of an avid angler, boasted releasing a 500lbs+ Black Marlin, his first.
Florida couple Michael Bertuch and Jennifer Szatkowski made their respective 4th and 1st trips, aiming for a giant Dorado and Michael’s first Black Marlin. While they had a blast with Sailfish, it was the oversized Dorado that stole the show, leaving Jen ecstatic. Michael achieved his goal on the last day, releasing a whopping 500lbs Black Marlin.
Father-son duo Trevor and Wayne Dennigham created lasting memories during their debut at Tropic Star Lodge, fulfilling their wish of witnessing a Marlin and catching billfish aplenty. Trevor released his first Black Marlin, estimated at 400lbs, while Wayne topped off the week with a monumental battle against a 500lbs+ Black Marlin.
Returning guests David and Heather, along with their son Chase, infused the holiday spirit into Tropic Star Lodge. Despite a slow start, their trip gained momentum with Sailfish and massive Dorado, culminating in Heather releasing a whopping 600lbs Black Marlin, creating an unforgettable family memory.
Father-son duo Trevor and Wayne Dennigham created lasting memories during their debut at Tropic Star Lodge, fulfilling their wish of witnessing a Marlin and catching billfish aplenty. Trevor released his first Black Marlin, estimated at 400lbs, while Wayne topped off the week with a monumental battle against a 500lbs+ Black Marlin.
Returning guests David and Heather, along with their son Chase, infused the holiday spirit into Tropic Star Lodge. Despite a slow start, their trip gained momentum with Sailfish and massive Dorado, culminating in Heather releasing a whopping 600lbs Black Marlin, creating an unforgettable family memory.
Florida couple Michael Bertuch and Jennifer Szatkowski made their respective 4th and 1st trips, aiming for a giant Dorado and Michael’s first Black Marlin. While they had a blast with Sailfish, it was the oversized Dorado that stole the show, leaving Jen ecstatic. Michael achieved his goal on the last day, releasing a whopping 500lbs Black Marlin.
Father-son duo Trevor and Wayne Dennigham created lasting memories during their debut at Tropic Star Lodge, fulfilling their wish of witnessing a Marlin and catching billfish aplenty. Trevor released his first Black Marlin, estimated at 400lbs, while Wayne topped off the week with a monumental battle against a 500lbs+ Black Marlin.
Father-son duo Trevor and Wayne Dennigham created lasting memories during their debut at Tropic Star Lodge, fulfilling their wish of witnessing a Marlin and catching billfish aplenty. Trevor released his first Black Marlin, estimated at 400lbs, while Wayne topped off the week with a monumental battle against a 500lbs+ Black Marlin.
Returning guests David and Heather, along with their son Chase, infused the holiday spirit into Tropic Star Lodge. Despite a slow start, their trip gained momentum with Sailfish and massive Dorado, culminating in Heather releasing a whopping 600lbs Black Marlin, creating an unforgettable family memory.
Martin Lancaster and his son Sam, seasoned guests, were joined by Sam’s brother Charles and his girlfriend Sydney Riley. Martin and Sydney’s expedition on Darien yielded an epic encounter with a Black Marlin weighing over 600lbs. Despite a valiant effort, they had to part ways with the fish at dusk. However, a few days later, with the whole team onboard, they achieved a remarkable feat, releasing two large Black Marlin and three Sailfish in a single day, narrowly missing their grand slam goal. We’ve had an eventful season filled with challenges and triumphs, proving once again that our captains are always up for the challenge!
Martin Lancaster and his son Sam, seasoned guests, were joined by Sam’s brother Charles and his girlfriend Sydney Riley. Martin and Sydney’s expedition on Darien yielded an epic encounter with a Black Marlin weighing over 600lbs. Despite a valiant effort, they had to part ways with the fish at dusk. However, a few days later, with the whole team onboard, they achieved a remarkable feat, releasing two large Black Marlin and three Sailfish in a single day, narrowly missing their grand slam goal. We’ve had an eventful season filled with challenges and triumphs, proving once again that our captains are always up for the challenge!
