10 Great U.S. Billfish Spots

Traveling to foreign countries in the hunt for big fish is just one of the many facets of marlin fishing that makes the sport so magical. Whether you travel on your own boat or jump on a plane, you always learn something when you experience a new fishery. Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, the Bahamas, Australia and beyond: They all provide the makings of a great fishing story. But what about the spots right here in the States?

There's plenty of blue water to explore without ever flashing a passport. And even though you don't need to clear customs, traveling fishermen can check out hundreds of historic and unique fishing ports and villages. Hitting the road and visiting unfamiliar areas helps us improve our game by learning fresh, regional tricks and trying out different techniques or tackle. You never know who you might bump into on the dock or what adventure awaits when you round the break-water. So when planning your next billfish excursion, consider one of these 10 great spots right here in the States. You won't be disappointed. (And with all due respect to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, we're staying domestic for this particular article.)

1. Hatteras and the Outer Banks

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From the local boatbuilders who revolutionized the look of sport-fishing boats to the many bait-and-tackle innovations spawned along this idyllic stretch of water, you simply cannot overlook the influence of North Carolina on the sport of big-game fishing. The first Atlantic blue marlin caught in the United States was landed off Hatteras in 1938, and this area continues to make headlines every year. In 2008, Trey Irvine landed a new state-record 1,228.5-pound blue marlin to win the Pirate's Cove Billfish Tournament.

Fishing is a way of life in this part of the country, and visitors can choose from a long list of great charter boats to run out in search of billfish. The first blues of the year typically show up around May, and the bite lasts throughout the summer. White marlin also flock to this area, and when they start snapping, crews can catch upward of 20 fish in a day. The sailfish bite picked up tremendously the past couple of seasons, and the tuna, dolphin and wahoo round out a typical day plying the Gulf Stream waters or the deepwater canyons. Some of the sport's largest and most festive billfish tournaments call this region home for good reason. For those looking to book a charter, you'll find 29 offshore boats running out of the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center (www.oregon-inlet.com; 800-272-5199). You'll also find charters available at Oden's Dock (www.odensdock.com; 888-544-8115), Hatteras Landing Marina (www.hatteraslanding.com; 800-551-8478) and Pirate's Cove Marina (www.fishpiratescove.com; 800-367-4728). For more local info, visit www.hatterasmarlinclub.com.