Marlin University Testimonials

“The trip was awesome! We met up with Dave Ferrell, Peter Wright and Walker Holcomb in the Miami airport. Dave noticed our Marlin University bags and introduced himself, Peter and Walker. They were very friendly and told us about the trip and what to expect.
Let me just say that the trip definitely exceeded my expectations. Being a captain and an experienced tournament angler, I was skeptical about how much I would actually learn. After fishing with Peter Wright the first day, I realized how much I did not know and how much I could learn from fishing with people of this caliber. Each day I learned something new from each of the instructors on the boat and during the seminars in the evenings.”
Bruce C.

“It’s a long way from New Zealand to Costa Rica, and there certainly were plenty of other places I could have gone fishing with a lot less travel and cost to get there, but the combination of the exotic location, excellent fishing and the tuition made this an experience I would do again in a heartbeat.”
David W.

“To all at Marlin University, a big thanks from Panama. To be taught by the world’s best instructors was indeed a privilege. The one-to-one instruction was just incredible and has given me the confidence to handle big fish. I can honestly say that I never enjoyed a class or course as must as I did in Costa Rica; it all boils down to being in the company of great people and having great fishing. As we say in Ireland, “The Craic was 90,” and so was the fishing. Once again, thanks a million; I loved it!”
Peter M.

“If you think you know how it’s done, think again. Marlin U will surely teach you more with a lot more fun!”
Pedro N.

To Marlin University:

“The best thing about Marlin U is that you are guaranteed to be fishing with the best crews on the best boats that are available in that area or even the world. The captains and mates know you are there to learn, so they are eager to tell you everything: their techniques in bait rigging, terminal tackle and what the captain is looking for. This information would take you years at sea to learn, and they are ready and willing to tell you everything.
This was the trip of a lifetime; my goal was to catch a black marlin and learn from the best crews in the world. I hoped to catch more than one black, and my wildest dream was to get a shot at a grander. Well, mission accomplished: multiple blacks, a grander black and a ton of knowledge. I’ve been home for three days, and I can’t stop thinking about this trip. I don’t think I will ever stop thinking about it.

Thank you very much for the best fishing trip of my life.”
Chris P.
Great Barrier Reef

“This was my second Marlin U, and I’m looking forward to my third sometime in the future. The excitement of seeing a 500-plus-pound black marlin come out of the water just behind the boat will take your breath away. Watching these highly skilled crews clear the cockpit and wire these beasts is a sight that cannot be explained, only experienced. Well worth the cost and time to get to Australia.
We finished off the week with a doubleheader of a 500- and a 900-plus-pound fish. To listen to the captain shout to the crew, “Quit messing around (or something like that) and get rid of the little one,” with the little one being about twice the size we see in the Florida Keys, is a quote that will stay with me forever.”
Capt Bob D.
Great Barrier Reef

“The strength of Marlin U, in my opinion, is its ability to assemble the very best captains and crews in the right place at the right time. That is unique and can’t be matched by anyone else putting travel packages together.”
Richard D.

“I want to compliment you on Marlin University. My recent experience as an attendee in Costa Rica was fantastic. You’ve done a great service for the fishing community with this concept.
I’ve fished all my life, own several boats and enjoy good success with our local Florida backcountry, bay and nearshore species. But other than a few “tourist trips,” I’d not fished for billfish in any serious way. Last year, while in the Florida Keys with my brother-in-law (also an attendee at Marlin U), we decided to try something new and set out in search of bigger game. As in years past, we had been bagging blackfin, mahi and wahoo regularly during the trip but now wanted to try for marlin. We had read (in Marlin magazine) of several spots at the “Wall” said to attract them.

We got to the Wall and saw the depth fall away below the 2,000-foot limit of the sounder. Lacking any real experience, we set out some medium-sized smoker-head lures on flat lines and riggers. We had one big lure. We wound that one on to the 80 and set it back on the shotgun. Not 20 minutes later, with a giant splash a hundred yards back, the big lure was crushed. The center rigger twanged like a guitar string, and the heavy rod bent in a semicircle.

Unfortunately, all this lasted just a moment. We hadn’t hooked the marlin, but we had certainly gotten hooked on marlin fishing. We spent two more days trolling this area and saw a least a dozen marlin swimming or crashing the surface. Though fairly expert at most other kinds of fishing, this new game was a mystery, and each time we saw another marlin, we lamented our lack of knowledge.

A month after we returned home from that trip, I opened up the new issue of Marlin and saw the ad for Marlin University. It seemed tailor-made to answer my questions about this new style of fishing. What a wonderful opportunity to learn from the experts. I’m delighted to say I wasn't disappointed.

Not only was Carrillo an extraordinary venue with pleasant accommodations, perfect weather and calm seas, but the captains and boats were all first-rate and very forthcoming. It also didn’t hurt that on our first day we had more than 30 sailfish at the boat with over 20 landed. That’s a hell of a first billfish experience!

However, the seminar sessions were maybe even better. Nagging little questions I’d had for years involving specialized rigging, boat handling and tackle were answered with perfect clarity. To then see all this applied the next day on the water really drove the lessons home.

We will be heading to the Bahamas and back to the Wall again this summer. Thanks to you and the “University,” this time we’ll be ready.”
Best Regards,

“I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and your professional staff for the fantastic job you did planning, preparing and executing the Marlin University session in Costa Rica. Everything was perfect: weather, location, accommodations, food, boats and crews. And the fishing was unbelievable! I especially appreciated the educational seminars and the opportunity to learn from world-class captains and mates who have so much experience and success. I learned more in four days than in years of fishing.”
Thanks for a great time,