White marlin fishing out of Ponce Inlet starts at the jetty and runs about 35 miles or more offshore, to ridges and ledges like the Party Grounds and the Rolldown. This guide covers the season window, the order of the run, and the named grounds, with the distances and depths we have for each. For launch and inlet detail, see the Ponce Inlet port page.
When white marlin are off Ponce Inlet
FishAnywhere’s Ponce Inlet calendar lists marlin from spring through August, which puts the window from spring into late summer.
For the coast-wide picture, see white marlin along the Atlantic Southeast (see also the Atlantic Southeast fishing guide). Biology and general tactics are covered in the white marlin species guide.
The run: how far boats go
The run starts at the Ponce Inlet jetty, a 1,000 ft jetty inside Lighthouse Point Park at the inlet. From there the distances step outward, per FishingBooker’s Ponce Inlet overview.
- Volusia Artificial Reef Site 1: 10.8 nm from the inlet.
- Volusia Artificial Reef Site 2: about 12.5 nm from the Bell Buoy.
- Party Grounds: about 35 miles offshore.
- Rolldown: about 40 to 55 miles offshore.
Before a run past 35 miles, check the wind, wave height and period in the official marine forecast.
Grounds and structure that hold them
The grounds below are listed in the order a boat meets them heading offshore.
| Ground | Distance | Depth | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ponce Inlet jetty (Lighthouse Point Park) | 1,000 ft jetty at the inlet | ||
| Volusia Artificial Reef Site 1 | 10.8 nm from the inlet | 60 to 80 ft | Argoil barge and culverts |
| Volusia Artificial Reef Site 2 | About 12.5 nm from the Bell Buoy at 067 degrees | 75 ft | Semarca and culverts |
| Mango Hole | On the way out to the Party Grounds | ||
| Cracker Ridge | A few miles west of the Party Grounds, near Volusia Site 2 | ||
| Party Grounds | About 35 miles offshore | 80 ft | |
| East Ridge | Trolling ground alongside the Party Grounds | ||
| Rolldown | About 40 to 55 miles offshore |
Depth contours make the named grounds easier to find, but chart layers are not for navigation.
Volusia Artificial Reef Site 1
Site 1 is 10.8 nm from the inlet in 60 to 80 ft of water and consists of the Argoil barge and culverts. It is the first offshore waypoint past the jetty. The Volusia County reef summary lists the site.
Volusia Artificial Reef Site 2
Site 2 is a little farther out, about 12.5 nm from the Bell Buoy at 067 degrees, in 75 ft. The structure is the Semarca and culverts.
Mango Hole
Mango Hole is on the way out to the Party Grounds, per FishingBooker.
Cracker Ridge
Cracker Ridge is a few miles west of the Party Grounds, near Volusia Site 2.
Party Grounds
The Party Grounds sit in 80 ft, about 35 miles offshore, per FishingBooker.
East Ridge
East Ridge is named as a trolling ground alongside the Party Grounds.
Rolldown
The Rolldown is about 40 to 55 miles offshore, the farthest named ground on this page.
How it’s fished locally
Local boats troll a hex-shaped lure or ballyhoo, per the BVO report. General rigging and spread detail is on the species page.
Who fishes them out of Ponce Inlet
BVO Fishing (Blue Voodoo Outfitters) lists white marlin. Its boats are the Jim Buoy and Voodoo Baby, and Captain Jimmy is named on the bio page. For other species, see other billfish off Florida’s coast.
FAQ about white marlin fishing out of Ponce Inlet
When is white marlin season out of Ponce Inlet?
FishAnywhere’s calendar lists marlin from spring through August, so plan around that window.
How far do boats run from Ponce Inlet for marlin?
It is about 35 miles to the Party Grounds and about 40 to 55 miles to the Rolldown, measured offshore from the inlet.
Where are the Party Grounds?
The Party Grounds are about 35 miles offshore in 80 ft. Mango Hole lies on the way out, Cracker Ridge sits a few miles west, and East Ridge is fished alongside.
What do local boats troll for white marlin?
A hex-shaped lure or ballyhoo, per the BVO report.
Who runs white marlin charters out of Ponce Inlet?
BVO Fishing (Blue Voodoo Outfitters) lists white marlin, with the boats Jim Buoy and Voodoo Baby. Captain Jimmy is named on the bio page.
