Species
Striped Marlin
Kajikia audax
Tier 3Eating6/10heavy tackleNear ThreatenedNSWVICQLDWA
13 waypoints200–300 cm (max 420 cm) typical
Overview: about striped marlin
Spectacular blue-water billfish of the east coast — peak season runs from late summer into autumn off NSW and southern QLD, with notable winter runs off WA. Targeted by trolling skirts and live baits along temperature breaks and bait schools. Famously acrobatic on light tackle.
Biology: Striped Marlin size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Offshore, Pelagic
- Typical size
- 200–300 cm (max 420 cm)
- Weight
- 50–130 kg (max 240 kg)
- Depth range
- 0–200 m
- Diet
- saury, squid, small tuna
- Most active
- diurnal
- Global range
- Indo-Pacific tropical and subtropical (Kajikia audax)
How to target: Striped Marlin angling strategies
Generally fished with heavy tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- trolling small to medium skirted lures and rigged saury along shelf temperature breaks
- switch-baiting teasers at raised fish
- live-baiting slimies or yakkas on a kite over current lines
Best season: when to catch striped marlin in Australia
- NSW
- Jan-Jun (Port Stephens canyons)
- VIC
- Mar-May (Bermagui/Mallacoota)
Seasons shift with water temperature and local conditions, so check recent reports before a trip.
Safety & handling
Ciguatera risk: moderateAvoid eating large specimens from tropical reefs. Risk varies by region and individual fish — when in doubt, release.
Conservation
IUCN: Near Threatened
IUCN Near Threatened; AU rec ethos tag-and-release.
Recent community catches: anglers who caught striped marlin
No striped marlin catches logged yet. Log one and you'll be recognised here.
Where to catch: striped marlin fishing spots in Australia
Queensland6
New South Wales4
Victoria1
Western Australia1
Tasmania1
More information: striped marlin references & sources
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